2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog *As of 06/01/2024

Dec 12, 2024

2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog *As of 06/01/2024

Biology Non-Teaching, B.S. - Ecology and Organismal Biology Track

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Departmental Requirements

Students majoring in Biology (non–teaching) must complete a total of 120¹ credit hours of University courses. This includes a minimum of 42 semester hours of General Education Requirements, 29 semester hours of departmental core courses, 15 semester hours of program electives, 31 semester hours of supportive courses and 3 semester hours of free electives. The specific courses taken in the undergraduate program are generally chosen based on the goals of the student for their future career.

The Ecology and Organismal Biology track of the Biology Program provides strong preparation for students interested in Biology at the whole organism or systems level. Students are equally prepared for advanced study in biology and related fields, and for modern careers in ecology, conservation, natural resource management, botany, entomology or animal behavior, among other disciplines.

Objectives

The objectives of the Biology program are to:

Provide Biology majors in the Department of Natural Sciences with the knowledge and information necessary to achieve success in graduate and/or professional schools and the workforce;
Provide Biology majors with advanced knowledge and information in the fields general Biology and/or Ecology;
Increase the level of competency in laboratory techniques and skills of Biology majors in the Department of Natural Sciences; and
Develop technical communication and critical thinking skills of Biology majors in the Department of Natural Sciences and train the same through mentoring and personal experience to conduct scientific research.

Career Opportunities

A Biology degree provides access to many career opportunities based on a person’s interests and undergraduate preparation. Biologists can pursue ecology and organismal biology degrees for entrance into specialized areas of medicine, dentistry, academia, research or consulting careers, as well as many opportunities in biological system management with private firms, local, state and federal governments. Three resources for careers opportunities are available at the following websites: Sciencecareers.sciencemag.org covers all sciences while www.aibs.org/careers covers all areas of Biology, and www.epa.gov covers federal opportunities in the ecological and environmental fields.

¹Minimum Maryland Higher Education Committee (MHEC) requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree.

Required Courses

General Education Requirements

All Biology majors are expected to complete a common body of academic course work. The General Education Requirements are designed to promote the development of a comprehensive educational base which will effectively support a student’s choice of a major concentration. MATH 099 and MATH 109 do not meet the General Education Requirement for a degree in biology, chemistry or environmental sciences; and do not apply toward graduation requirements. However, students placed in MATH 099 or MATH 109 should take these courses to prepare them for the required MATH 110 and higher level Math courses.

Students in the Honors program should take honors courses designated by HONORS. All students are encouraged to take a couple of courses Online or during summer and winter sessions to develop skills that will support lifelong learning. Discuss with your advisor for details.

General education requirements are distributed as follows:

Curriculum Area I - Arts and Humanities: Credits 9

Select two courses from any of the courses within Disciplines A - D, and ENGL 203 from Discipline E:

Curriculum Area II - Social and Behavioral Sciences: Credits 6

Select two courses from any of the courses within Social and Behavioral Sciences:

Discipline A: Social Sciences

AGEC 213 Introduction to Agricultural Economics Credit: 3
ECON 201 Principles of Economics (Macro) Credit: 3
ECON 202 Principles of Economics (Micro) Credit: 3
GEOG 201 The World Geography I Credit: 3
GEOG 202 The World Geography II Credit: 3
HIST 101 History of World Civilization I Credit: 3
HIST 102 History of World Civilization II Credit: 3
HIST 201 History of American Civilization I Credit: 3
HIST 202 History of American Civilization II Credit: 3
PHIL 201 Introduction to Logic Credit: 3
POLI 200 Introduction to American Government Credit: 3
POLI 220 Introduction to Political Behavior Credit: 3
POLI 342 Urban Politics Credit: 3
SOCI 101 Introduction to Sociology Credit: 3

Discipline B: Behavioral Sciences

CRJS 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice Credit: 3
HUEC 203 Human Development: A Lifespan Perspective Credit: 3
HUEC 220 Perspectives on Aging Credit: 3
HUEC 361 Contemporary Family Issues Credit: 3
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology Credit: 3
SOCI 201 Social Problems Credit: 3

Curriculum Area III - Biological and Physical Sciences: Credits 8

PHYS 121 General College Physics I Credit: 3 and
PHYS 123 General College Physics I Laboratory Credit: 1
or
PHYS 181 Introductory Physics I Credit: 3 * and
PHYS 183 Introductory Physics Laboratory I Credit: 1 *
and
PHYS 122 General College Physics II Credit: 3 and
PHYS 124 General College Physics II Laboratory Credit: 1
or
PHYS 182 Introductory Physics II Credit: 3 * and
PHYS 184 Introductory Physics Laboratory II Credit: 1 *

Curriculum Area IV - Mathematics: Credits 6

MATH 110 Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry Credit: 3 or Higher
MATH 210 Elementary Statistics Credit: 3

Curriculum Area V - English Composition: Credits 9

ENGL 101 Principles of Composition I Credit: 3 ^{1, 2}
ENGL 102 Principles of Composition II Credit: 3 ^{1, 2}
ENGL 001 English Proficiency Examination Credit: 0
ENGL 305 Technical Writing Credit: 3 or
ENGL 310 Advanced Composition Credit: 3

Curriculum Area VI - Emerging Issues: Credits 4

DNSC 100 Freshman Seminar Credit: 1

Select One Additional Course:

EDTE 111 Technology and Society Credit: 3
EXSC 111 Personal Health Fitness in Diverse Social Contexts Credit: 3
HUEC 230 Multicultural Perspectives on Families in the U.S. Credit: 3
TMGT 306 Ecological & Cultural Tourism Credit: 3

Total Required for General Education: Credits 42

¹Students must pass ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 with grade of “C” or above before taking ENGL 203 .

²Honors students should take honors courses.

Program Requirements

Core Requirements: Credits 29

A grade of “C” or better is required in each of the Program Core Requirements.

BIOL 111 Principles of Biology I Credit: 3
BIOL 113 Principles of Biology I Laboratory Credit: 1
BIOL 112 Principles of Biology II Credit: 3
BIOL 114 Principles of Biology II Laboratory Credit: 1
BIOL 211 Principles of Biology III Credit: 3
BIOL 213 Principles of Biology III Laboratory Credit: 1
BIOL 222 Genetics Credit: 3
BIOL 223 Genetics Laboratory Credit: 1
BIOL 301 Microbiology Credit: 3
BIOL 303 Microbiology Laboratory Credit: 1
BIOL 497 Biology Seminar/Honors Credit: 1
BIOL 498 Independent Study Credit: 1-6
BIOL 499 Undergraduate Research Credit: 1-4
DNSC 400 Senior Proficiency Seminar Credit: 1

Program Electives: Credits 15

A minimum of 15 credits must be selected. A grade of “C” or better is required in each of these courses. Students with interest in pursuing medicine and/or professional and graduate degrees in the biomedical sciences are encouraged to take General Biology Electives. Likewise, students with interest in Ecology are encouraged to take Ecology Electives. Students are encouraged to take only one course in an area not related to his/her career interest.

Biomedical Biology Electives

BIOL 311 Vertebrate Embryology Credit: 4
BIOL 322 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Credit: 4
BIOL 326 Cell Biology Credit: 3
BIOL 327 Cell Biology Laboratory Credit: 1
BIOL 330 Evolution Credit: 3
BIOL 341 Introductory Physiology Credit: 4
BIOL 420 Animal Histology Credit: 3
BIOL 421 Animal Histology Laboratory Credit: 1
BIOL 426 Biotechnology Credit: 4
BIOL 436 General Endocrinology Credit: 3
BIOL 466 Medical Parasitology Credit: 3
CHEM 422 Bio-Inorganic Chemistry Credit: 3

Ecology Electives

BIOL 261 Invertebrate Zoology Credit: 4
BIOL 311 Vertebrate Embryology Credit: 4
BIOL 330 Evolution Credit: 3
BIOL 335 Biogeography Credit: 3
BIOL 341 Introductory Physiology Credit: 4
BIOL 361 Animal Behavior Credit: 4
BIOL 402 Ecology Credit: 4
BIOL 404 Conservation Biology Credit: 3
BIOL 431 Mammalogy Credit: 4
BIOL 432 Herpetology Credit: 3
BIOL 440 Biology of Insects Credit: 4
BIOL 441 Comparative Physiology Credit: 4
BIOL 462 General Parasitology Credit: 4
BIOL 463 Wildlife Management Credit: 4
BIOL 464 Medical and Veterinary Entomology Credit: 4

Supportive Courses: Credits 31

A grade point average of “C” or better is required in supportive courses. In addition, prerequisite requirements must be met to progress in sequence of courses.

CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry I Credit: 3
CHEM 113 Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I Credit: 1
CHEM 112 Principles of Chemistry II Credit: 3
CHEM 114 Principles of Chemistry Laboratory II Credit: 1
CHEM 211 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry I Credit: 3
CHEM 213 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry I Laboratory Credit: 1
CHEM 212 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry II Credit: 3
CHEM 214 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Laboratory II Credit: 1
CHEM 341 Biochemistry I Credit: 3
CHEM 343 Biochemistry Laboratory I Credit: 1
CHEM 342 Biochemistry II Credit: 3
CHEM 344 Biochemistry Laboratory II Credit: 1
BUED 212 Computer-Concepts/ Applications I Credit: 3 * or
CSDP 121 Microcomputer Applications Credit: 3 *
MATH 112 Calculus I Credit: 4
*CSDP 220 may be substituted for BUED 212 or CSDP 121 .

Free Electives: Credits 3

Total Credits Required for Graduation: 120

Curriculum Guide for Biology

Biology-Ecology and Organismal Biology Track Semester by Semester

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Biology Non-Teaching, B.S. - Ecology and Organismal Biology Track

Departmental Requirements

Objectives

Career Opportunities

Required Courses

General Education Requirements

Curriculum Area I - Arts and Humanities: Credits 9

Discipline E: Speech

Discipline A: Arts

Discipline B: History

Discipline C: Language

Discipline D: Literature

Curriculum Area II - Social and Behavioral Sciences: Credits 6

Discipline A: Social Sciences

Discipline B: Behavioral Sciences

Curriculum Area III - Biological and Physical Sciences: Credits 8

Curriculum Area IV - Mathematics: Credits 6

Curriculum Area V - English Composition: Credits 9

Curriculum Area VI - Emerging Issues: Credits 4

Select One Additional Course:

Total Required for General Education: Credits 42

Program Requirements

Core Requirements: Credits 29

Program Electives: Credits 15

Biomedical Biology Electives

Ecology Electives

Supportive Courses: Credits 31

Free Electives: Credits 3

Total Credits Required for Graduation: 120

Curriculum Guide for Biology

Academic Affairs﻿

Biology Non-Teaching, B.S. - Ecology and Organismal Biology Track

Departmental Requirements

Objectives

Career Opportunities

Required Courses

General Education Requirements

Curriculum Area I - Arts and Humanities: Credits 9

Discipline E: Speech

Discipline A: Arts

Discipline B: History

Discipline C: Language

Discipline D: Literature

Curriculum Area II - Social and Behavioral Sciences: Credits 6

Discipline A: Social Sciences

Discipline B: Behavioral Sciences

Curriculum Area III - Biological and Physical Sciences: Credits 8

Curriculum Area IV - Mathematics: Credits 6

Curriculum Area V - English Composition: Credits 9

Curriculum Area VI - Emerging Issues: Credits 4

Select One Additional Course:

Total Required for General Education: Credits 42

Program Requirements

Core Requirements: Credits 29

Program Electives: Credits 15

Biomedical Biology Electives

Ecology Electives

Supportive Courses: Credits 31

Free Electives: Credits 3

Total Credits Required for Graduation: 120

Curriculum Guide for Biology

Academic Affairs