Undergraduate Degree Programs
Biological Sciences Undergraduate Studies
- Checksheet: 2009-10 | Major Map
- Checksheet: 2008-09 | Major Map
- Checksheet: 2007-08
- Checksheet: 2006-07
What can I do with a degree in Biological Sciences?
The general major in Biological Sciences is designed for students who desire a broad background in many areas of biology or who want to postpone selection of a concentration until graduate school. Biological Sciences encompasses the study of all living things (microbes, plants and animals), and includes the study of basic organization and function (molecular, cellular, tissues, organs), how organisms evolve, their roles in the natural environment, how hereditary information is transferred, and the development of biotechnology. Students graduating with this degree are broadly trained and well prepared for admission into graduate programs and professional schools (medical, dental, and veterinary). They may also directly enter positions in government, education, industry, or certain technical fields. The general major in Biological Sciences consists of a minimum of 41 semester hours in required life science courses, and a minimum of 16 semester hours in related fields, a three-semester-hour statistics course, plus a three-semester-hour advanced mathematics course included in the General Studies Requirement. A minimum grade of "C" (2.00) is required in all course work in the major and related fields. Required courses are as follows:
Core Requirements (16 hours):
- BIO 187 General Biology (4)
- BIO 188 General Biology (4)
- BIO 189 Career Paths in the Life Science (1)
- BIO 340 General Genetics (4)
- BIO 345 Organic Evolution (3)
Additional Requirements (14 hours):
- BIO 320 Fundamentals of Ecology (3)
- MIC 220 Biology of Microorganisms (3) and MIC 206 Microbiology Laboratory (1)
- Cell Biology/Physiology Courses (one course):
BIO 360 Animal Physiology (3)
PLB 308 Plant Physiology (4)
BIO 353 Cell Biology (3) - Organismal Courses (one course):
BIO 370 Vertebrate Zoology
BIO 385 Comparative Invertebrate Zoology
BIO 386 General Entomology
BIO 470 Systematic Zooology
BIO 471 Ornithology*
BIO 472 Mammalogy
BIO 473 Ichthyology*
BIO 474 Herpetology
MIC 470 Bacterial Diversity and Systematics
PLB 300 Comparative Plant Diversity
PLB 304 Biology of Algae and Fungi*
PLB 305 Desert Annuals, Cacti and Succulents*
PLB 310 The Flora of Arizona
PLB 400 Lichenology*
PLB 401 Mycology*
PLB 404 Phycology
PLB 407 Plant Fossils and Evolution
PLB 410 Angiosperm Taxonomy*
PLB 411 Trees and Shrubs of Arizona** These courses are currently only 3 credits, but will be 4 credits by 2010-2011 Academic year. For the 2009-2010 Academic year, these will fulfill the Organismal Diversity requirement and the additional credit will be added to the Major Elective category.
Electives (11 hours):
11 hours of upper division credit in BIO, MIC, PLB, or MBB courses that must include two upper division courses with lab experiences.
Requirements in Related Fields (16 hours):
- CHM 113 General Chemistry I (4)
- CHM 116 General Chemistry II (4)
Organic Chemistry Options - CHM 231 Elementary Organic Chemistry SQ 1 (3)
- CHM 235 Elementary Organic Chemistry Laboratory SQ 1 (1)
--- or --- - CHM 233 General Organic Chemistry I (3)
- CHM 234 General Organic Chemistry II (3)
- CHM 237 General Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1)
- CHM 238 General Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1)
Physics Options - PHY 101 Introduction to Physics SQ (4 hours)
--- or --- - PHY 111 General Physics SQ 2 (3)
- PHY 112 General Physics SQ 2 (3)
- PHY 113 General Physics Laboratory SQ 2 (1)
- PHY 114 General Physics Laboratory SQ 2 (1)
Math Proficiency (6 hours; 3 as a General Studies Requirement):
- STP 226 Elementary Statistics (3) or STP 231 Statistics for Biosciences (3)
- MAT 251 Calculus for Life Sciences (3)
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