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Biology Major (BIOL)

Degree: Bachelor of Science

Required: 122 semester hours, to include at least 36 hours at or above the 300 course level

Available Concentrations and AOS Codes:
Biology, U116
Biotechnology, U214
Environmental Biology, U118
Human Biology, U863

The Bachelor of Science degree is offered for those students aspiring to a professional career in biology, and for those students with particularly strong interests in the discipline. See also the descriptions of pre-professional programs concerning their requirements. A student pursuing the Bachelor of Science is expected to develop a stronger background in mathematics and related sciences and to attain a greater understanding of biology than will a student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree. Bachelor of Science students will also be strongly encouraged to undertake an individual research project with a faculty member during their junior and/or senior year.

Requirements

I General Education Core Requirements (GEC)

See complete GEC requirements and approved course listings for all categories.

Core Category

S.H.

Students may select courses for:

 

Literature (GLT)

3

Fine Arts (GFA)

3

Philosophical, Religious, Ethical Principles (GPR)

3

Historical Perspectives on Western Culture (GHP)

3

Reasoning and Discourse (GRD)
ENG 101 or FMS 115 or RCO 101, and one additional GRD course

6

Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSB)

6

 

 

Department specifies courses for:

 

One additional GLT course (student may select)

3

Mathematics (GMT)
required: MAT 191

3

Natural Sciences (GNS)
required: BIO 111 and CHE 111

7

 

II General Education Marker Requirements

See details and courses. It is possible to meet all GE Marker Requirements while completing the GE Core requirements or courses required by the major/ concentration.

Students may select courses for:

Global/Global Non-Western Perspectives (GL/GN)
four (4) courses carrying GL/GN markers, at least one of which must carry the GN marker

One Speaking Intensive (SI) Course
In addition to this SI Marker requirement, students must also complete a second SI course within the major. All programs have identified at least one course among their major requirements that is taught as Speaking Intensive.

One Writing Intensive (WI) Course
In addition to this WI Marker requirement, students must also complete a second WI course within the major. All programs have identified at least one course among their major requirements that is taught as Writing Intensive.

 

III College of Arts and Sciences Additional Requirements (CAR)

See requirements and approved courses.

Category

S.H.

Historical Perspectives on Western Culture
either a GHP/GPM or GMO course

3

Natural Sciences
required: BIO 112

4

Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSB)
one additional GSB course

3

Foreign Language (GFL)
intermediate-level proficiency in one language, demonstrated by placement test, or completion of course work through course number 204

0–12

Writing Intensive Courses (WI)
a total of four WI courses

  

 

IV Major Requirements

Biology majors must complete BIO 111 and 112, and a minimum of 30 semester hours of Biology courses above the 100 level. CHE 420 or 556 can be counted toward the minimum required 30 hours of Biology for the major in lieu of BIO 535. A maximum of four hours at the 200 level may be counted toward the major. Students must have a grade point average of at least 2.0 in Biology courses completed at UNCG.

Biology Core Requirements

In meeting this requirement for hours above the 100 level, all B.S. Biology majors must complete the following courses; completion of at least four of these requirements is strongly recommended prior to enrollment in courses numbered 400 and higher.

  1. Ecology: BIO 301
  2. Cell Biology: BIO 355
  3. Genetics: BIO 392
  4. Diversity: one of the following: BIO 322, 341, 354, or 370
  5. At least two of the following laboratory core courses: BIO 302, 356, or 393
  6. At least one course at the 500 level

Undergraduate Research (BIO 499) or Honors Work (BIO 493), for 2 or more s.h., are also strongly recommended.

V Related Area Requirements

B.S. Biology majors are required to take the following related courses or their approved equivalents:

  1. CHE 111, 112, 114, 115, 351, 352, and 354
  2. MAT 191 and either MAT 292 or STA 271 (or STA 571 and 571L)
  3. PHY 211, 212 or PHY 291, 292