In order to remain in one of the Department's majors, a student must earn a grade of "C" or higher in all major and cognate courses. Students earning a D or F in any major or cognate course (lecture and lab count as one course) will be subject to the following action(s):
  • Student will receive a warning letter from the department chairperson after the first D or F.
  • Student will be placed on probation in the department after the second D or F.
  • Student will be dismissed from the major after the third D or F.
A student may appeal in writing the dismissal from the major to the chairperson. In extenuating circumstances, the chairperson may reinstate the student to the major.

Program Requirements

Hours: 55

Biology/Chemistry Foundation Courses - 19 hours

BIO 111 Principles of Biology I (4) CN
BIO 111A Principles of Biology I (LAB) (0) CN
BIO 112 Principles of Biology II (4)
BIO 112A Principles of Biology II (LAB) (0)
BIO 204 Biology Seminar (2)
CED 220 Foundations of Professionalism (1)
CHE 111 General Chemistry I (3) CN
CHE 111A General Chemistry I (LAB) (1) CN
CHE 112 General Chemistry II (3) CN
CHE 112A General Chemistry II (LAB) (1) CN

Students must take an additional 28 credit hours in biology courses, specified as follows:

  • At least 20 hours must be courses with corequisite laboratories 
  • At least 15 credits must be 300 level courses
  • No more than ten 100 level hours may be used to fulfill this requirement
  • Co-op courses are excluded from these 28 hours

Expanded Knowledge and/or Application - 8 hours

Any courses from these areas:

  • Physics (200 level or above)
  • Additional Chemistry (200 level or above)
  • Additional Biology (200 level or above)

Program Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the biology major will be able to:

  • demonstrate and apply an appropriate knowledge of the terms, concepts, and theories relative to the biological sciences.
  • undertake advanced work in industry, secondary education, graduate or professional school.
  • be competitive and marketable in a chosen field.
  • demonstrate the critical thinking, communication, and research skills needed to excel, particularly in the use of the scientific method to investigate problems and synthesize results in written and oral presentations.