FURMAN BIOLOGY

OVERVIEW   PEOPLE   COURSES   WHO TO SEE     SPECIAL PROGRAMS     RESOURCES     FACILITIES   NEWS

Requirements for Biology Degrees

Note: This description attempts to be accurate, but is NOT the official description of degree requirements. See the University Catalog for the official description.

For the Bachelor of Science Degree

(In Fall 2008, the University moved to a 3-digit course numbering system. New numbers are shown below, with old numbers in parentheses.)

BIO 111 (11)    Foundations of Biology                  (Exempted if AP score is 4 or 5)           

BIO 221 (21)   Genetics                                          (Prerequisite:   BIO 111)

BIO 222 (22)   Research and Analysis                   (Prerequisite:   BIO 111)

A course in Molecular/Cellular Biology            

Choose one from among the following:

    BIO 300 (30)    Cell Biology                                (Prerequisite: 222)   

    BIO 303 (33)   Intermediary Metabolism           (Prerequisites:  222 and CHM 120)

A course in Physiology

Choose one from among the following:

    BIO 320 (35)    Animal Physiology                     (Prerequisite:   222)

    BIO 321 (36)    Plant Physiology                         (Prerequisite:   222)

    BIO 322 (37)    Human Physiology                     (Prerequisite:   111)

A course in Ecology

Choose one from among the following:

    BIO 340 (40)    General Ecology                         (Prerequisite:   222)

    BIO 342 (42)    Tropical Ecology                         (Prerequisite:   permission of instructor)

    BIO 343 (43)    Environmental Systems             (Prerequisite:  222 or permission of instructor)

    BIO 344 (A-39)    African Ecology                      (Prerequisite: any biology course)   

BIO 075 (75)    Seminar in Biology (0 credit)

An "Engaged Learning" Course

Choose one from the following:

    BIO 501 (83)    Individualized Internship            (Prerequisite:   222)

    BIO 502 (85)    Research in Biology                   (Prerequisite:   222)

Three Elective Courses (each carrying at least 3 hours of credit)

Choose from among any biology courses numbered 200 or above except BIO 503 (80).

The total number of biology courses (including the GER introductory course) must be at least ten, with each carrying at least 3 hours of credit. Up to two of these courses may be substituted from other science disciplines, such as CHM-210 (12), CHM-220, or PHY-112 (12), with the approval of the department chair. (Either CHM 210 or 220 is required as a third course in chemistry. Substitution for a biology elective course can occur only if both of these courses are taken.)

Further Requirements (Those under part a are in effect only for students who declared a Biology major before Fall 2008.)

(a) Among the 10 credit-bearing courses described above, a student must be sure that the following requirements are met:

    At least one course must emphasize botanical diversity.   Courses satisfying this are BIO 321 (36),342 (42), 400 (44), and 401 (45).

    At least one course must emphasize zoological diversity.   Courses satisfying this are BIO 320 (35), 420 (47), 421 (48), 422 (49), 423 (50), and 425 (58).

(b) Required science courses outside of the department are Chemistry 110 (11), 120 (21), and either 210 or 220.

For the Bachelor of Arts Degree

BIO 111 (11)    Foundations of Biology              (Exempted if AP score is 4 or 5)   

BIO 075 (75)    Seminar in Biology (0 credit)

An "Engaged Learning" Course: Choose one from among the following:

      BIO 503 (80) Directed Independent Study       (Prerequisite: permission of instructor; BIO 222 strongly recommended)

      BIO 501 (83)    Individualized Internship          (Prerequisite:   BIO 222)

      BIO 502 (85)    Directed Research                   (Prerequisite:   BIO 222)

And enough additional courses to provide a total of 10 courses in biology, each of which must be at least 3 hours.