Common biology degree requirements include introductory science courses like chemistry & genetics, math, as well as practical lab time. There are also recommendations for elective courses that are not strictly required. If you choose to pursue a biology degree emphasis, additional requirements apply that differ for each emphasis.
Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH A MAJOR IN BIOLOGY- 55 semester hours as follows:
Required Biology Courses: (19 hours)
- 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
Required Allied Math and Science Courses: (18 hours)
- 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
Remaining 7 hours selected from the following:
- 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)
Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology - Pre-Professional Health Emphasis
Pre-Professional Health (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Veterinary, Physical Therapy) 18 hours of upper level credit from the following:
- 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
*Students interested in applying to medical, dental, or veterinary school are strongly encouraged to complete these courses. It is important to review the admissions requirements for each program to which you will apply because the prerequisites for admission may be slightly different among professional schools.
Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology - Education Emphasis
Biology - Education Emphasis - 18 hours of upper level credit from the following:
Core Courses:
Electives:
Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology - Cellular & Molecular Biology Emphasis
Cellular and Molecular Biology Emphasis
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:
Students interested in pursuing graduate studies in this field are strongly encouraged to pursue a minor in Chemistry and take the following: Calculus I and II and Physics I and II and BIOL 498, Senior Thesis. Students interested in entering the workforce upon graduation are encouraged to complete an internship during the summer before their junior and/or senior years.
Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology - Biodiversity Studies Emphasis
Biodiversity Studies Emphasis
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
Students interested in graduate studies in this or related fields are strongly encouraged to take the following: Organic I and II, Physics I and II, Calculus, and Probability and Statistics. Students interested in entering the workforce upon graduation are encouraged to complete an internship during the summer before their junior and/or senior years.
Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology - Pre-Physician Assistant Emphasis
Pre-Physician Assistant Curriculum
Undergraduate students interested in applying for early admission to the University’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program must complete the following coursework in total at the University of the Cumberlands as Pre-PA Biology majors. Additionally, students must complete all requirements of the General Education curriculum for undergraduates as outlined in the University of the Cumberlands Undergraduate catalog. Admission is made during the third year of undergraduate study. Students must complete all PA admissions requirements by time of application. Completion of the Pre-PA curriculum does not ensure acceptance into the MSPAS program.
Students who complete the Pre-Professional PA curriculum but do not continue on to the Professional phase of the PA program will need a total of 35 hours of biology courses (those listed below, plus BIOL 495 or BIOL 498, and either 6 or 10 additional hours of biology electives), 7 hours of allied science courses, and elective classes to complete the 120 hours needed to attain a Bachelor of Science with a major in biology. Alternatively, students can complete a Biology of Science degree in Independent Directions with a focus on applied health sciences. A third alternative is to complete a Bachelor of General Studies degree. Information on these alternatives may be found elsewhere in this catalog.
Students who successfully complete the pre-physician assistant curriculum and are accepted into the MSPAS program are awarded a Bachelor of Health Science degree by the University after the successful completion of the first year of didactic coursework in the MSPAS program. Students are then awarded the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree after the successful completion of the second year of coursework.
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
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN BIOLOGY—23 hours. Courses must include BIOL 133, 113, 134, 114, and 246. The remaining hours must be selected from Biology courses numbered above 300.
Bachelor of Arts in Biology
Completion of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree plus a world language through the intermediate level.