Biological Sciences

Contact

Dr. Stine Brown

sbrown@une.edu

or

Dr. Steven Travis

stravis@une.edu

Degree name
Bachelor of Science with a major in Biological Sciences
Sections

Mission

Biology is an exploration of the living world that underscores and explains the unity and diversity of life. But it is also a truly human endeavor in that it affects us all. Because we live at this time in human history – at the beginning of what many believe to be a biological age – students must be able to apply biological concepts to the wide array of problems and choices they inevitably face.

Students who major in biology programs become familiar with all levels of biological organization from molecules to ecosystems, and gain practical experience in both laboratory and field studies. Small classes enable the faculty to adopt an approach to learning that stresses how different subjects are related to each other, facilitates critical thinking, and encourages a collaborative approach to learning between students and faculty. Professors want students to experience the excitement and to see the applications of biology as well as appreciate science as a way of knowing about the world around them. In addition, the biology program stresses the importance of field opportunities, research experience and experiential learning. The department also offers a graduate degree in Biological Sciences (master level) which is detailed in the graduate portion of this catalog. Visit our graduate programs page for details.

Major Description

The Biological Sciences major provides a broad background for students interested in biology. The core program is flexible, thereby permitting the student latitude in the area of emphasis. Although students are not required to choose a concentration within the major, two options are available:  Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB); and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB).  A goal of the major is to provide students with the necessary background for entry-level career positions and graduate study.

The department also offers Biological Sciences majors the opportunity to select all of the EDU secondary education certification courses (listed below) as their electives in order to become middle or high school teachers (grades 7 - 12) in the area of life science.

Curricular Requirements

  Credits

CAS Core Requirements

42-46
Biological Sciences Core Program Required Courses 20-25
BIO 105 - Biology I: Ecology/Evolution (credits included in core requirements)  
BIO 106 - Biology II: Cellular/Molecular 4

BIO 200 - Human Genetics

OR

BIO 207 Organismal Genetics

(EEB Concentration requires BIO 207 OR Cellular & Molecular Area Course OR Physiology Area Course)

4-5

BIO 400 or a 400 level or higher BIO capstone course (not satisfied by Internship/Research/Speaker Series)

(MCDB Concentration options include BIO 430 or BIO 450)

(EEB Concentration options include BIO 450 or BIO 460)

3-4
Topic Areas- (to be selected in consultation with advisor) See below*  

Cellular and Molecular area

(Only if no Concentration is chosen)

3-4
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology area 

(Students with an EEB concentration have the option of replacing their EEB area requirement with a second Organismal Biology area course)

3-4
Organismal Biology area 3-4

Biological Sciences Program Required Science and Mathematics Courses

32-33
Chemistry  

CHE 110 - General Chemistry I

4

CHE 111 - General Chemistry II

4

CHE 210 or 210G - Organic Chemistry I

5

CHE 211 or 211G - Organic Chemistry II 

OR

CHE 310 - Fundamentals of Biochemistry

4-5
Mathematics  

MAT 150-Statistics for Life Sciences

3

MAT 190 - Calculus I

4
Physics  

PHY 110 - Physics I and

4

PHY 111 - Physics II

4

Or

 

PHY 210 - University Physics I and

4

PHY 211 - University Physics II

4

Biological Sciences Program Concentration Required Courses 

(See Concentration Tab below for Course List)

6-7
Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits) variable
Minimum Required Total Credits 120

*Topic Area Courses

  Credits

Cellular & Molecular Area

(BIO 290 may fulfill Biology Area requirements depending on subject matter and advisor permission.)

 
BIO 203 - Histology 4
BIO 365 - Immunology 3
BIO 370 - Cell and Molecular Biology 3
   

Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Area

(BIO 290 may fulfill Biology Area requirements depending on subject matter and advisor permission.)

 
BIO 328 - Human Evolution 3
BIO 333 - Evolution 3
MAR 335 - Animal/Behavioral Ecology 4
BIO 350 - Ecology 4
   

Organismal Biology Area

(BIO 290 may fulfill Biology Area requirements depending on subject matter and advisor permission.)

 
BIO 204 - Parasitology 4

BIO 232 - Microbiology

OR

BIO 234 - Environmental Microbiology

4
BIO 254 - Medicinal Plant Biology 3
BIO 306 - Virology 3
MAR 310 - Phycology 4
BIO 319 - Ornithology 4
MAR 320 - Invertebrate Zoology 4
BIO 330 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy 4
MAR 331 - Biology of Fishes 4
MAR 355 - Biology of Marine Mammals 4
MAR 375 - Biology of Sharks, Skates and Rays 4
   
Physiology Area  
BIO 322 - Comparative Animal Physiology 3

Additional Guidelines


Students wishing to pursue teacher certification in Life Science can complete a double major with Biological Sciences and Secondary Education OR a major in Secondary Education and a concentration in Biological Sciences.  For more Information, see the Secondary Education catalog page.

 

The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee

The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee (PHPAC) consists of staff and faculty members of the College of Arts and Sciences. The major function of this committee is to draft letters of evaluation for students applying to health professions programs such as Medical, Dental and Veterinary schools. Interested students should view our web page for information regarding the protocol for obtaining a PHPAC letter of evaluation.

Graduation Requirements

A minimum grade of C- must be achieved in all science and mathematics courses used toward graduation in any of the programs in the Department of Biology. A 2.00 cumulative average in sciences is a requirement for graduation in any of the programs in the Department of Biology.

 

Students in this major can participate in the pre-health graduate school preparation tracks.

https://www.une.edu/cas/programs/pre-health-graduate-school-preparation-tracks-non-degree

Learning Outcomes

The expected learning outcomes for students graduating with a bachelor of science degree from the Department of Biology include:

A.  Knowledge of fundamental principles in biology, relevant concepts in mathematics and the physical sciences, and the ability to apply this knowledge to the critical analysis of new biological information, in the following areas:

  • Molecular and Cellular Basis of Life - including cell structure, metabolism, heredity, and reproduction.
  • Organismal Diversity - including organismal structure and function, hierarchy of organization, and the evolution of life.
  • Interrelations of Organisms and their Environment - including abiotic and biotic interactions, biogeochemical cycles; ecosystems and their dynamics, and human actions and interventions.

B.  Understanding of the process of science, as well as demonstrated competency in biological research, with a particular emphasis on:

  • The scientific method, including observational, comparative and experimental approaches and the tools utilized.
  • A critical reading of the primary scientific literature.
  • Data analysis, interpretation and the communication of scientific results (including oral presentations and scientific report writing).

C.  Appreciation for the relevance of the biological sciences to real-world issues, including:

  • Familiarity with avenues and applications of current and future research as well as the careers that use them.
  • Bioethical issues and their biological and social basis.
  • Recognition of the civic responsibility to share knowledge and to apply expertise to the improvement of human and environmental health.

Minor

A biology minor requires 6 biology courses, including the Introductory Biology series.  In particular, Department of Biology majors who wish to take a biology minor must select 4 additional courses beyond those required for their major. No biology courses can satisfy both the major and minor requirements except for the introductory 100-level courses.

Minor Required Courses
BIO 105 - Biology I: Ecology/Evolution and
BIO 106 - Biology II: Cellular/Molecular
Or
BIO 104 - General Biology and one of:

BIO 105 - Biology I: Ecology/Evolution or
BIO 106 - Biology II: Cellular/Molecular
 
And
One Organismal Biology Area course
One Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Area course
One Cellular & Molecular Area course
One additional Biology course

Concentrations

Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology (MCDB) Concentration Credits
BIO 370- Cell & Molecular Biology 3
BIO 407- Developmental Biology 3
   
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB) Concentration Credits
BIO 333- Evolution 3
BIO 350- Ecology 4

 

Honors Program

We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their major advisor. 

Transfer Credit

Courses previously completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred biology courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the biology courses offered at UNE in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they will transfer as general electives. All Science/Math courses previously completed must be no older than five years. Other options and restrictions apply. See Undergraduate Admissions also.

Admissions

Financial Information

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.