2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog *As of 06/01/2024 
    
    Dec 13, 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:

  1. 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;
  2. Provide Biology majors with advanced knowledge and information in the fields general Biology and/or Ecology;
  3. Increase the level of competency in laboratory techniques and skills of Biology majors in the Department of Natural Sciences; and
  4. 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:

Curriculum Area IV - Mathematics: Credits 6


Curriculum Area V - English Composition: Credits 9


Curriculum Area VI - Emerging Issues: Credits 4


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


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.

Free Electives: Credits 3


Total Credits Required for Graduation: 120


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