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Biology

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Students majoring in biology will gain a solid foundation in the discipline while having the flexibility to tailor the degree to their interests and career goals.

Curriculum plans are available for students pursuing an emphasis in genetics as well as for those who wish to focus on cell and molecular biology or ecology and organismal biology. Additional curriculum plans are available for students interested in attending graduate school (to obtain an MS or Ph.D. degree) or one of the many professional school (to obtain a DDS, DVM, MD, OD, OT, PA, or PT degree) after graduation. In addition to specifying particular biology courses, most biology curriculum plans include recommended courses in chemistry, physics, and psychology to properly prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce or admission to graduate and professional schools.

 

Biology Honors Program

Students majoring in biology will qualify for a BS with Honors in Biology if the following requirements are met:

  1. Successful completion of the program for the BS in Biology or the BS in Biology with an emphasis in genetics;
  2. Completion of an additional 5 hours of biology coursework at the 300 level or above (BIOL 407-BIOL 412 are not applicable);
  3. Cumulative grade point average of 3.5 in all biology courses;
  4. Cumulative overall grade point average of 3.5 or better; and
  5. Completion of a laboratory or field research project in which:
    1. The research proposal is approved by a majority of the biology faculty. (This would normally occur in the fall semester of the junior year.)
    2. The research is of sufficient quality to justify four semester hours credit (BIOL 407, BIOL 408, BIOL 409, BIOL 410, or BIOL 412).
    3. The research results are presented as follows:
      1. by public seminar at Lander University
      2. at a scientific meeting and/or by submission of a paper for publication in an appropriate scientific journal.

Transfer students may graduate with Honors in Biology if they fulfill the above requirements and have a 3.5 GPA overall and in biology from their former institution(s) and complete their last 60 hours, including at least 20 hours of biology, at Lander University.

 

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Note: The information below provides convenient links to some of the courses required for this degree; however, it should not be used as a course registration guide. Please refer to the official Lander University Academic Catalog for the most accurate and up-to-date program requirements.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS1 CREDIT
HOURS
A. Core Skills

 

  ENGL 101 Writing and Inquiry I 3
  ENGL 102 Writing and Inquiry II 3
  MATH 121 Mathematical Applications
OR MATH 123 Calculus and its Applications
OR MATH 141 Single Variable Calculus I
3
B. Humanities and Fine Arts
(6 hours selected from 2 different disciplines)
6
C. Behavioral and Social Perspectives
(6 hours selected from 2 different disciplines)
6
D. Scientific and Mathematical Reasoning
  MATH 211 Statistical Methods I 3
  CHEM 111 General Chemistry 4
E. Founding Documents of the United States
  HIST 111R2 United States History to 1877
OR
HIST 112R2 United States History since 1877
OR
POLS 101R2 American National Government
3
F. World Cultures 3
G. LINK 101 1
Total General Education Requirements 35

1 For approved courses see the General Education section
If you already have credit for HIST 111, do not take HIST 111R; if you already have credit for HIST 112, do not take HIST 112R; if you already have credit for POLS 101, do not take POLS 101R

 

MAJOR PROGRAM CORE REQUIREMENTS CREDIT
HOURS
BIOL 111 Principles of Biology I 4
BIOL 112 Principles of Biology II 4
BIOL 299 Sophomore Seminar in Biology 1
BIOL 303 Evolution 3
BIOL 312 Genetics 4
BIOL 399 Junior Seminar in Biology 1
BIOL 499 Senior Seminar in Biology 1

 

MAJOR PROGRAM ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS CREDIT
HOURS
Organismal Diversity (select 1)
BIOL 213, BIOL 214
4

Biology Group I: Structure and Function (select 1)
BIOL 308, BIOL 313, BIOL 401
4

Biology Group II: Biological Information Flow (select 1)
BIOL 307, BIOL 403, BIOL 422
4

Biology Group III: Systems Biology (select 1)
BIOL 306, BIOL 311, BIOL 415, BIOL 421

4
CHEM 112 General Chemistry 4
CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry 4

 

MAJOR PROGRAM ELECTIVES CREDIT
HOURS
BIOL 200-level or above (except BIOL 490 and BIOL 498) 4
BIOL 300-level or above (except BIOL 490 and BIOL 498) 4
 
Total Major Program Requirements 50
Additional Electives 35
TOTAL FOR BS DEGREE 120

 

  • Coursework must include at least 30 hours earned in 300 or above level courses, of which 12 hours must be in the major.
  • See the 4-year major guide for recommended order in which to take courses