Oct 08, 2025  
2025-2026 Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Catalog

Biology, B.A.


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Biological, Biomedical and Combined Sciences Outcomes

1. Ethics: Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze ethical issues in the conduct of science.

2. Societal Influences: Consider the potential impacts of outside influences (historical, cultural, political, technological) on how scinece is practices.

3. Science’s Impact on Society: Apply scientific reasoning in daily life and recognize the impacts of science on a local and global scale.

4. Scientific Thinking: Explain how science generates knowledge of the natural world.

5. Information Literacy: Locate, interpret, and evaluate scientific information.

6. Question Formulation: Pose testable questions and hypotheses to address gaps in knowledge.

7. Study Design: Plan, evaluate, and implement scientific investigations.

8. Data Interpretation & Evaluation: Interpret, evaluate, and draw conclusions from data in order to make evident-based arguments about the natural world.

9. Doing Research: Apply science process skills to address a research question in a course-based or independent research experience.

10. Numeracy: Use basic mathematics (e.g. algebra, probability, unit conversion) in biological contexts.

11. Quantitative & Computational Data Analysis: Apply the tools of graphing, statistics, and data science to analyze biological data.

12. Purpose of Models: Recognize the important roles that scientific models, of may different types (conceptual, mathematical, physical, etc.) play in predicting and communicating biological phenomena.

13. Model Application: Make inferences and solve problems using models and simulations.   

14. Modeling: Build and evaluate models of biological systems.

15. Connecting Scientific Knowledge: Integrate concepts across other STEM disciplines (e.g. chemistry, physics) and multiple fields of biology (e.g. cell biology, ecology).

16. Interdisciplinary Problem Solving: Consider interdisciplinary solutions to real-world problems.

17. Communication: Share ideas, data, and findings with others clearly and accurately.

18. Collaboration: Work productively in teams with people who have diverse backgrounds, skill sets, and perspectives.

19. Collegial Review: Provide and respond to constructive feedback in order to improve individual and team work.

20. Metacognition: Reflect on your own learning, performance, and achievements.        

This baccalaureate degree is designed to develop breadth, with an emphasis on chemistry that provides maximum flexibility in career choices. Students with this major may pursue careers in health sciences, industry, environmental sciences, and other related areas.

Minimum of 120 credits required, including 48 upper-division credits.

General University Course Requirements


The following courses are required for all bachelor level degrees: 36-39 credits

Fine Arts: 3 credits


Any studio-based fine arts course (ART, MUS, DRMA), or ENG 206A , or ENG 206B  

Laboratory Science: 4 credits


Any laboratory science course except CHEM 105

Social Sciences: 3 credits


Any social science course (ECON, POSC, SOC, PSY)

Humanities: 3 credits


PHIL 310W REL 320W , any HIS course, or any literature-based ENG course. 

Mathematics: 3-5 credits


Any college-level MATH course or SOC 220  

World Language: 3-4 credits


Any world language course

Technology: 3 credits


Any CPSC course or BADM 230 BIOL 482 ,  ENG 452 ENSC 321 ART 370 NURS 304 ED 343   

Free Electives: 38-39 credits


At least 24 free elective credits must be upper-division.

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