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Bachelor of Science - Columbus State University

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Academics

Bachelor of Science

Program Description

This program provides broad training in biology and preparation for graduate and professional studies and for a career in biology.

Career Opportunities

  • Conservation
  • medicine
  • veterinary medicine
  • biology teaching
  • genetic counseling 

Admission Requirements

In order to declare a major in biology, a student is required to have an overall GPA of 2.5.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key concepts, principles, theories, and methods in four core areas: cell biology; molecular biology and genetics; organismal biology; and population biology, evolution, and ecology.
  • Employ critical and analytical thinking in application of the scientific method, including formulating and testing hypotheses, designing experiments, analyzing data, interpreting results, and drawing conclusions.
  • Report orally and in writing research results and conclusions according to accepted standards of professional biologists.

Additional Program Requirements

Students must receive a grade of "C" or better for all classes in Areas D, F, G, and H. Classes with grades lower than a "C" cannot be used to satisfy prerequisite requirements for courses required in the major. To complete a degree in biology, students must obtain a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 in all science courses applied to graduation.

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
Select one of the following courses:
MATH 1113
MATH 1131

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4
COMM 1110
Select one of the following courses:

ITDS 2726
ITDS 2727
ITDS 2735
ITDS 2746
ITDS 2748
ITDS 2749
ITDS 2755
OR
Select one of the following courses:
EURO 2105
LEAD 1705
LIBR 1105
POLS 2401
HIST 1111
HIST 1112

Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the two extra hours may be used as electives.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

ENGL 2111
ENGL 2112
ITDS 1145*
ITDS 1155
ITDS 2125
PHIL 2010
Select one of the following fine arts courses:
ARTH 1100
ITDS 1145*
MUSC 1100
THEA 1100
*ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 11
A grade of "C" or better is required in each course.
Take the following lab science courses:

CHEM 1211 Principles of Chemistry 1
CHEM 1211L Principles of Chemistry 1 Lab
CHEM 1212 Principles of Chemistry 2
CHEM 1212L Principles of Chemistry 2 Lab

Take the following course:
STAT 1127

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

ECON 2105
ECON 2106
PHIL 2030
PSYC 1101
SOCI 1101
Select one world cultures course from the following courses:
ANTH 1105
ANTH 1107
ANTH 2105
ANTH 2136
ENGL 2136
GEOG 1101
HIST 1111
HIST 1112
ITDS 1156

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3
PHED 1205
Select any one PEDS course.

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 18
A grade of "C" or better is required in each course.

BIOL 1231K General Biology I
BIOL 1232K General Biology II
BIOL 2206K Organismic Biology I
BIOL 2207K Organismic Biology II
Guided electives (2 credits)

Area G Program Requirements Required Hours: 35
A grade of "C" or better is required in each course.

BIOL 3215K Cell Biology
BIOL 3216K Genetics
BIOL 3217K Ecology
BIOL 4391 Research or Internship Proposal
BIOL 4795 Capstone Senior Seminar
CHEM 3111 Organic Chemistry 1
CHEM 3112 Organic Chemistry 2
CHEM 3311 Organic Chemistry 1 Lab
CHEM 3312 Organic Chemistry 2 Lab
PHYS 1111 Introductory Physics 1
PHYS 1112 Introductory Physics 2
PHYS 1311 Introductory Physics 1 Lab
PHYS 1312 Introductory Physics 2 Labs

Follow one of these options based on BIOL 4391 selection:

Option 1:
BIOL 4392 Undergraduate Research
BIOL 4393 Research Presentation
Option2:
BIOL 4698 Internship

Area H Program Electives Required Hours: 15- 16

A grade of "C" or better is required in each course.
At least 3 courses must include lab and/or field experience.

Choose 1 course from List 1 (Cellular and Molecular Biology Electives)(3 - 4)
BIOL 5118U,   BIOL 5215U,   BIOL 5216U, 
BIOL 5217U,   BIOL 5318U,   BIOL 5515U

Choose 1 course from List 2 (Organismal Biology Electives)(3 - 4)
BIOL 5245U,   BIOL 5246U,   BIOL 5248U,
BIOL 5249U,   BIOL 5255U,   BIOL 5525U

Choose 1 course from List 3 (Ecology and Evolution Electives)(3 -4)
BIOL 5285U,   BIOL 5286U,   BIOL 5287U,
BIOL 5288U,   BIOL 5535U

Choose 1 additional course from List 1-3 or from:
CHEM 3141,   GEOL 3245,   GEOL5275U,  or PSYC 4116 (3 - 4)

Area I General Electives Required Hours:9 -10

Total Hours Required 123

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