The secrets to the science of life, all in the palm of your hand.
Biology is the basis for life as we understand it, and you have the opportunity to uncover its hidden truths. From humans to molecules and from plants to diseases, a bachelor’s degree in biology from Cumberlands offers you the chance to learn about every amazing facet of biological sciences and apply it to your life and career. Highly experienced faculty will walk you through valuable courses and intriguing experiments in state-of-the-art laboratories. Through hands-on experiments, private study areas, and high-tech computer laboratories, you’ll have an outstanding learning environment to help ensure your academic success and prepare you for your future. Research what you love, make discoveries, and show the world just how much biology impacts everything around us!
By the numbers
Programs & Requirements
* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.
To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog.
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Hands-on research. Challenging internships. Incredible careers. Long-lasting relationships with mentors and colleagues who value you and inspire you. All these opportunities and more open up to you with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of the Cumberlands. You can even choose an emphasis area to better suit your degree to your personal interests and career goals: pre-professional health, education dynamics, cellular and molecular biology, biodiversity, or pre-physician assistant.
Course Requirements
- BIOL 111 Becoming a Successful Biologist
- BIOL 113 Introduction to Population Biology Laboratory
- BIOL 114 Introduction to Cellular Biology Laboratory
- BIOL 133 Introduction to Population Biology
- BIOL 134 Introduction to Cellular Biology
- BIOL 210 Introduction to Biological Literature
- BIOL 246 Biodiversity
- BIOL 340 Genetics
- BIOL 495 Senior Seminar OR BIOL 498 Senior Thesis
MATH 132 College Algebra (or higher math course)
CHEM 132 General College Chemistry I
CHEM 111 General College Chemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 232 General College Chemistry II
CHEM 211 General College Chemistry II Laboratory
BIOL 116 Environmental Science Laboratory
BIOL 231 Environmental Science
PHYS 241 Physics I
PHYS 242 Physics II
PHYS 137 Physical Science
PHYS 117 Physical Science Laboratory
Elective courses must total 18 hours at the 300 and 400 level.
A Bachelor of Arts requires all the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of four classes (12 hours) in a foreign language.
Choose one foreign language sequence:
FREN 131 Elementary French I
FREN 132 Elementary French II
FREN 231 Intermediate French I
FREN 232 Intermediate French II
SPAN 131 Elementary Spanish I
SPAN 132 Elementary Spanish II
SPAN 231 Intermediate Spanish I
SPAN 232 Intermediate Spanish II
Bachelor's in Biology – with an Emphasis
Some professions require additional schooling upon completion of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. A biology degree from Cumberlands offers the challenge, knowledge, and skills you need to step into a graduate program as you pursue a career in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary sciences, and physical therapy.
Course Requirements
The following courses are taken in addition to your Bachelor of Science in Biology to secure an emphasis.
Eighteen (18) hours of upper-level credit are required from the following choices:
BIOL 331 Vertebrate Embryology
BIOL 342 Parasitology
BIOL 345 Microbiology*
BIOL 346 Biochemistry*
BIOL 436 Medical Biochemistry
BIOL 441 Immunology
BIOL 442 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy*
BIOL 443 General Physiology*
BIOL 445 Molecular Biology
BIOL 446 Cell Biology in Health and Disease
BIOL 447 Histology
* If you’re interested in pursuing medical, dental, or veterinary school after graduating from Cumberlands, you are strongly encouraged to complete these courses. Just remember: If you’re planning on applying to a specific graduate program, it’s important to review the admissions requirements for that program to ensure these programs match their required prerequisites.
In addition to specified education courses (please see the course catalog for more details), you are required to complete 18 hours of upper-level credit from the following:
CORE COURSES
BIOL 410 Teaching Practicum
BIOL 448 General Ecology (required unless you have completed BIOL 231)
Electives
BIOL 342 Parasitology
BIOL 345 Microbiology
BIOL 346 Biochemistry
BIOL 347 Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 349 Plant Biology
BIOL 431 Conservation Biology
BIOL 442 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Requires 18 hours of upper-level credit from the following:
BIOL 345 Microbiology
BIOL 346 Biochemistry
BIOL 445 Molecular Biology
BIOL 446 Cell Biology in Health and Disease
Recommended electives to meet 18 hours total:
BIOL 331 Vertebrate Embryology
BIOL 436 Medical Biochemistry
BIOL 441 Immunology
BIOL 447 Histology
Requires 18 hours of upper-level credit from the following:
BIOL 341 Plant Taxonomy
BIOL 342 Parasitology
BIOL 347 Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 349 Plant Biology
BIOL 431 Conservation Biology
BIOL 442 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
BIOL 460 Ecological Field Methods
BIOL 460 Dendrology
BIOL 448 General Ecology
The following courses are required prior to application for pre-professional students:
BIOL 111 Becoming a Successful Biologist
BIOL 113 Introduction to Population Biology Laboratory
BIOL 114 Introduction to Cellular Biology Laboratory
BIOL 121 Medical Terminology
BIOL 133 Introduction to Population Biology
BIOL 134 Introduction to Cellular Biology
BIOL 210 Introduction to Biological Literature
BIOL 443 General Animal Physiology
BIOL 246 Biodiversity
BIOL 340 Genetics
*BIOL 343 Human Anatomy OR BIOL 442 - Comparative Anatomy
BIOL 345 Microbiology
CHEM 111 General Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 132 General College Chemistry I
CHEM 211 General College Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 232 General College Chemistry II
CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 331 Organic Chemistry I
Additional 6 or 10 credits of 300 or 400 level Biology courses, Upper-level Psychology courses, Statistics
*preferred for the Williamsburg Campus program but not required for the Northern Kentucky Campus program.
Minor in Biology
Even a few courses in biology will prove useful to your life during and after college. No matter what career interests you have, the knowledge and skills you’ll gain from a biology minor will help you grow in your ability to perform research, think critically, solve problems, and build lasting professional relationships. It may also complement your future career and goals.
Course Requirements
A total of 23 credit hours are required for a minor in biology.
- BIOL 113 Introduction to Population Biology Laboratory
- BIOL 114 Introduction to Cellular Biology Laboratory
- BIOL 133 Introduction to Population Biology
- BIOL 134 Introduction to Cellular Biology
- BIOL 246 Biodiversity
The remaining hours must be selected from biology courses numbered above 300.
Take the Next Step
Mission & Goals
The mission of the bachelor’s in biology degree program at University of the Cumberlands is to foster in students the knowledge and skills that will make them successful in various fields of service in the biological sciences.
Biology Careers & Outcomes
*All statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics
Natural Sciences Manager: $137,900
Natural Sciences Manager: $137,900
With a biology degree from University of the Cumberlands, you’ll have the solid scientific foundation you need to work in, and even manage, laboratories and scientific studies. The average median wage for Natural Sciences Managers is $137,900 per year with an expected growth rate of 6 percent by 2030.
High School Teacher: $61,820
High School Teacher: $61,820
With the right certification, you could teach high school biology. There is a growing need for qualified high school teachers, especially in scientific fields. High school teachers average a median salary of $61,820 a year, with a growth rate of 8 percent projected over most of the next decade.
Microbiologist: $79,260
Microbiologist: $79,260
As a microbiologist, you would study microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, and some types of parasites. Job growth is 9 percent, faster than the national average.
Zoologist/Wildlife Biologist: $64,650
Zoologist/Wildlife Biologist
You may choose to use your biology degree to work with wildlife. Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals, those both in captivity and in the wild, and how they interact with their ecosystems.
Physical Therapist: $95,620
Physical Therapist: $95,620
You may be interested in the medical side of biology, where you can work as a physical therapist helping injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain.
Dietician/Nutritionist: $61,650
Dietician/Nutritionist: $61,650
With a degree in biology you can also choose a career as a dietitian and nutritionist, planning and conducting food service or nutritional programs to help people lead healthy lives.
Common Questions
Both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts – for all major degree programs at Cumberlands – require the exact same core classes. The difference is that, to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree, you also need to complete foreign language courses through the intermediate level.
After finishing your biology bachelor’s degree, you can continue your education in graduate and doctoral programs. This would prepare you for a career in a number of fields, including medicine, environmental studies, or biotechnology. All graduate degree programs look different, but they all require solid foundational knowledge in a relevant major, not to mention good time management skills and study habits – all of which you can perfect during your undergraduate journey at University of the Cumberlands.
A number of jobs await graduates with a biology bachelor’s degree, and it is often a prerequisite for advanced medical or scientific degree programs. You can choose from a wide range of careers with your biology degree, such as teaching, zoology, or physical therapy, to name a few.
A degree in biology may be a perfect fit for you if you find yourself frequently asking questions about the world around you. Curiosity about the natural world and an interest in pursuing a career in areas like teaching, zoology, physical therapy, research, or the natural sciences is a strong sign that a biology degree program would be the right choice for you.
Not only will a degree in biology help prepare you for careers in research or healthcare, but the skills you gain as a biology major will prove beneficial to any career you choose. Future employers will appreciate the observation, critical thinking, time management, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that come with your background in biology, meaning you’ll have higher chances for better jobs with better pay!
Faculty Experts in Biology
Learn more about the professors you will interact with in the Department of Biology.
Emily Garland
Emily Brown
Dr. Leif Deyrup
Dr. Leif Deyrup
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