2019-2020 Catalog

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Major: Biology, B.S. 60 Credits

General Education: 42 Credits; Major: 60 Credits; Elective Credits: 14-18 Credits

This major is appropriate for those students who intend to go to Medical, Dental or Veterinary School or to Graduate School in Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences or Nutrition (most programs).

Learning Goals for the B.S. in Biology

After completing the major in Biology students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics.
  • Demonstrate understanding of natural sciences from both a contemporary and historical perspective.
  • Demonstrate enhanced critical thinking skills.
  • Integrate and apply scientific information.
  • Utilize research strategies to address scientific questions.
  • Effectively communicate scientific principles orally and in writing.
  • Actively participate in the scientific community.
  • Demonstrate appropriate training for the pursuit of post baccalaureate careers, advanced degrees or professional programs.

Major Requirements:

BIOL 220General Biology I

4
BIOL 222General Biology II

4
BIOL 240Cellular and Molecular Biology

4
BIOL 251Laboratory Research Methods

2
CHEM 233General Chemistry I

3
CHEM 234General Chemistry I: Laboratory

1
CHEM 235General Chemistry II

3
CHEM 236General Chemistry II: Laboratory

1
MATH 210Calculus I

3
PHYS 261General Physics I

4
PHYS 262General Physics II 

4
CHEM 317Organic Chemistry I

3.5
CHEM 318Organic Chemistry I: Laboratory

1.5
CHEM 319Organic Chemistry II

3.5
CHEM 320Organic Chemistry II: Laboratory

1.5
BIOL 320Microbiology

4
BIOL 329Physiology

4
BIOL 425Genetics

4
BIOL 441/CHEM 441Biochemistry

4
BIOL 490Senior Seminar

1

Prerequisite Mathematics Courses for Science Majors (0-4 Credits)

All Science majors must take MATH 141 Precalculus (3) and receive grades of C or higher unless specifically exempted by the Department of Natural Sciences. Students not ready for Precalculus must take MATH 113 QR: Mathematics of the Physical World and MATH 113R QR: Mathematics of the Physical World—Recitation for Science Majors.

Thesis Track

An optional Thesis Track in Biology is available to all Biology and Biomedical Sciences majors. Requirements for graduation with a thesis:

  • Student must be a Biology or Biomedical Sciences major and have and maintain an overall GPA and Science GPA of 3.2 or greater.
  • Student must generate a proposal for a novel research project (in conjunction with a Thesis/Research Advisor of their choosing*) and submit it for approval by the Department of Natural Science Thesis Committee (“the Committee”)

    * (Research/Thesis Advisor must be a full-time faculty member of the Natural Science Department or be approved by the Committee).

  • Students must conduct three consecutive semesters of Natural Science research (may include a summer) unless the Committee approves otherwise .
  • Students must enroll in Science Research 297, 397 and 497 (BIOL, CHEM, or PHYS designation dependent on area of research) during the semesters they are conducting research for AT LEAST 3 credits each semester.
  • Students must present their research findings at a minimum of two conferences (chosen in conjunction with their Thesis/Research Advisor), one of which may be held on the MMC campus.
  • Students must write a thesis which is reviewed by at least one reader from the Committee and is approved by their Thesis/Research Advisor.
  • Students must successfully present and defend their thesis to the Committee; this presentation should be public and open to the MMC community.
  • Students may conduct research on the MMC campus or at an off-campus location approved by the Committee.
  • An off-campus research project must additionally include:
    1. a progress report submitted each semester from the approved off-campus Thesis/Research Advisor;
    2. a Committee member as the Reader of Thesis. Successful completion of the thesis track will be acknowledged on the student’s transcript.