Biology B.A.
Degree Requirements: 124 Credit Hours
See Core Curriculum for required courses in Area A1 through Area E.
| Credit Hours | ||
|---|---|---|
| General Requirements (Core A - E) | 42 | |
| Area A2 -- Must take MATH 1112, MATH 1113 or MATH 1441 | ||
| Additional Requirements | 4 | |
| Area F - Courses Appropriate to Major | 18 | |
| Principles of Biology I | ||
| Principles of Biology II | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I (if not taken in Area D1) | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II (if not taken in Area D1) | ||
Students should complete a 1 year sequence in either Geology or Physics (second course will be counted under Major Specific Requirements), or an alternate course approved by advisor | ||
| Introduction to the Earth | ||
| Introductory Physics I | ||
| Principles of Physics I | ||
| Additional Biology, Computer Science, Foreign Language, Math, Science Course (if needed) | 0-8 | |
| Major Specific Requirements | ||
| BIOL 1107L | Principles of Biology I Laboratory (may count in Area F, if needed) | 1 |
| BIOL 1108L | Principles of Biology Laboratory II (may count in Area F, if needed) | 1 |
| Completion of Geology, Physics, or Advisor alternate course (may count if Area F, if needed) | 4 | |
| General Historical Geology | ||
| Introductory Physics II | ||
| Principles of Physics II | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| BIOL - Prerequisite Courses (required prior to any BIOL courses at the 4000 and 5000-level) | 9 | |
| Physiology | ||
| Evolution and Ecology | ||
| Cell and Molecular Biology | ||
| BIOL - Required Courses | ||
| BIOL 4130 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL - Elective Courses (Level 3000 and above) | 16 | |
Three of the above courses must have a laboratory requirement (4 credit hour courses or other dedicated laboratory course) | ||
Department recommends that one of the above courses qualify as a “capstone” experience; see Dept. website for list of qualifying courses. A maximum of 5 credit hours of capstone courses can be applied to the B.A. with a Major in Biology degree | ||
| Minor (Required) | ||
| Select 15 credit hours of Minor | 15 | |
| Foreign Language Requirements | ||
| Completion through 2002-level Foreign Language 1 | 0-9 | |
| Electives | ||
| Must include at least 2 hours of upper-division (3000-level and above) coursework | 2-19 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 124 | |
| 1 | May be satisfied by a secondary school background showing four (4) years or more of preparation in a single language |
Other Program Requirements
- Students must have a combined average of "C" or better for all biology courses.
- Students must earn a “C” or better for the pre-requisite biology courses BIOL 1107, BIOL 1107L, BIOL 1108, BIOL 1108L, BIOL 3131, BIOL 3133, BIOL 3134
- Students must successfully complete the Major Field Test as a departmental exit exam.
- Students who wish to change their major to Biology must have a total institution GPA of 2.0 or better in all coursework completed at Georgia Southern
- Transfer students from other institutions who wish to major in Biology must have a GPA of 2.0 or better on all credit hours attempted at other institutions as well as those hours attempted at Georgia Southern.
Honors in Biology
For students entering the University Honors Program as a freshman and seeking to complete the Departmental Honors in Biology, it is highly recommended that these freshmen complete:
| Credit Hours | ||
|---|---|---|
| Freshman/Sophomore Level Courses | ||
| Principles of Biology I and Principles of Biology I Laboratory | ||
| Principles of Biology II and Principles of Biology Laboratory II | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II | ||
| First-Year Seminar | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Required Biology Honors Courses | ||
| Sophomore/Junior Level Courses | 5 | |
| Research Methods Biology | ||
| Junior/Senior Level Courses | 6 | |
| Honors Research | ||
| Honors Thesis | ||
| Recommended Biology Honors Courses | ||
| Current Trends in Biol. Res. | ||
| Required and Recommended Credit Hours | 33 | |
A student who does not enter the Departmental Honors in Biology Program as a freshman will be considered for admittance based on the following criteria:
- Freshman Year - Overall GPA of 3.3 or higher, if completed BIOL 1107 and BIOL 1108 must have a grade of "A" in both courses, or an "A" and a "B".
- Sophomore Year - Overall GPA of 3.3 or higher, including completion of BIOL 1107, BIOL 1108, and one intermediate prerequisite ( BIOL 3131, BIOL 3133, or BIOL 3134) with a GPA of at least 3.3 in these classes.
Typically, students with 3 semesters or less to complete their degree are not eligible to enter the Departmental Honors in Biology Program.
After entering the Departmental Honors in Biology Program, students are required to complete the required biology honors courses and the capstone experience to earn Departmental Honors in Biology. Students also would be required to maintain a 3.3 overall GPA, including a GPA of 3.3 in courses supportive of the major.