Biology Major BA
The biology major provides students with a core knowledge of the discipline; understanding of the scientific method; skills in analytical and quantitative reasoning, and the ability to deal intelligently with biology-related aspects of their personal and professional lives. Students gain a broad introduction to the field combined with advanced study into at least one area of interest.
The bachelor of arts in biology allows students flexibility to pursue their own academic interests; students pursuing the bachelor of arts in biology are encouraged to include a minor or a second language in their program of study.
Each student must complete 49 credits in the major with grades of C- or above: at least 25 credits must be upper division and at least 25 credits must be upper-division and at least 30 credits must be completed at Metropolitan State University. Students can be admitted to the Biology BA major once they have successfully completed the Prerequisite and Foundation courses and a program assessment survey.
Prerequisites
- MATH 115 College Algebra or
- MATH 120 Precalculus
- BIOL 101 Introduction to Life Sciences or
- BIOL 105 Human Biology or
- High School Biology or equivalent within seven years
Requirements (49 total credits)
Foundation Courses (20 credits)
- BIOL 111 General Biology I with laboratory
- BIOL 112 General Biology II with laboratory
- CHEM 111 General Chemistry I with laboratory
- CHEM 112 General Chemistry II with laboratory
Core Courses (15 credits)
Cell Category
- BIOL 301 Genetics or
- BIOL 302 Cell Biology and Histology or
- BIOL 304 Molecular Biology or
- CHEM 301 Biochemistry
Ecology Category
- BIOL 310 Ecology or
- BIOL 312 Evolution or
- BIOL 315 Limnology or
- BIOL 320 Ecosystem and Global Ecology
Organism Category
- BIOL 311 Plant Physiology or
- BIOL 321 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy or
- BIOL 322 Comparative Animal Physiology or
- BIOL 323 Developmental Biology or
- BIOL 330 Biology of Microorganisms
Elective Courses (14 credits)
An additional 14 credits in upper-division (300-level or above) biology courses chosen from the list of core courses above, the list of courses below, and other 300- or 400-level biology course (see advisor for details).
- BIOL 325 Pollution Biology
- BIOL 406 Biology of Cancer
- BIOL 469 Seminars in Biology
- BIOL 479 Special Topics in Biology
- BIOL 489 Senior Research in Biology
- BIOL 350I Internship in Biology