2013-2014 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Biology
- Requirements for a Major in Biology
- Major Cognate Requirements:
- Emphases (optional):
- 1. Teacher Certification Emphasis:
- 2. Premedical, Preosteopathic, and Predental Emphasis:
- 3. Preveterinary Medicine Emphasis:
- 4. Pre-physical Therapy Emphasis:
- 5. Plant Biology Emphasis
- 6. Animal Biology Emphasis
- 7. Wildlife Biology Emphasis
- 8. Aquatic Sciences Emphasis:
- 9. Genetics and Cell/Molecular Emphasis:
- Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Biology
The biology major is designed to help students gain a comprehensive understanding of the life sciences. The biology faculty believe it is vital for students at the undergraduate level to become familiar with the major principles and unifying concepts of biology. Thus, the curriculum introduces the fundamental areas of biology and still provides flexibility. Students who wish may select from several emphasis areas, including teacher certification, genetics and cell/molecular, premedical, pre-physical therapy, plant biology, animal biology, wildlife biology, aquatic and fisheries biology, preveterinary medicine and environmental health. Any of these areas, in addition to the basic major, may be used as the foundation for graduate study. Biology majors, in consultation with their advisors, are able to tailor programs to fit career needs or interests. All majors must complete 38 credits in biology.
The biology major requires fulfillment of General University Degree Requirements, Biology Core Requirements, Biology Cognate Requirements, and Biology Elective Requirements.
Requirements for a Major in Biology
Biology Core (25 credits):
- BIO 120 - General Biology I Credits: 4
- BIO 121 - General Biology II Credits: 4
- BIO 215 - General Ecology Credits: 4
- BIO 375 - Genetics Credits: 3
- BIO 376 - Genetics Laboratory Credits: 1
- BIO 405 - Cell and Molecular Biology Credits: 4
- BIO 406 - Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory Credits: 2
- BIO 495 - Evolutionary Biology (Capstone) Credits: 3
Major Cognate Requirements:
B.S. Degree Cognate courses are:
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits)
- BIO 375 - Genetics (3 credits)
- BIO 376 - Genetics Laboratory (1 credit)
B.A. students must take the listed courses and satisfy the foreign language requirement. The numerical reasoning course requirement of the B.S. degree cognate will be fulfilled with the selection of one of the courses listed under b. Statistics and Mathematics.
a. Chemistry
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I Credits: 5
- CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II Credits: 5
- AND EITHER
- CHM 231 - Introductory Organic Chemistry Credits: 4 AND CHM 232 - Biological Chemistry (4 credits)
- OR
- CHM 241 - Organic Chemistry For Life Sciences I Credits: 4 AND CHM 242 - Organic Chemistry For Life Sciences II (4 credits)
b. Statistics and Mathematics
Choose one of the following:
- MTH 125 - Survey of Calculus (3 credits)
- MTH 201 - Calculus I (4 credits)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
c. Physics
Those students planning to attend graduate or professional school, or planning to seek secondary teaching certification are urged to take PHY 220 and 221 or 230 and 231.
Choose ONE:
- PHY 200 - Physics for the Life Sciences Credits: 4
- PHY 220 - General Physics I Credits: 5
- PHY 230 - Principles of Physics I Credits: 5
Biology Electives
To reach a total of 38 credits from among biology courses numbered 209 or above (except BIO 355) and the following:
- BMS 208 - Human Anatomy Credits: 3 AND BMS 309 - Laboratory in Human Anatomy (1 credit)
- BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology Credits: 3 AND BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology (1 credit)
- BMS 290 - Human Physiology Credits: 3 AND BMS 291 - Laboratory in Human Physiology (1 credit)
Plant Biology
One course must be taken from the plant biology category.
- BIO 243 - Plant Identification and Natural History Credits: 3
- BIO 303 - Plant Morphology Credits: 4
- BIO 323 - Aquatic and Wetlands Plants Credits: 3
- BIO 333 - Systematic Botany Credits: 4
- BIO 403 - Plant Structure and Function Credits: 4
- BIO 413 - Freshwater Algae Credits: 3
- BIO 423 - Plant Biotechnology Credits: 3
- BIO 433 - Plant Ecology Credits: 4
- BIO 573 - Plants of the Great Lakes Area Credits: 3 (with permission)
Animal Biology
One course must be taken from the animal biology category.
- BIO 222 - Natural History of Vertebrates Credits: 3
- BIO 232 - Natural History of Invertebrates Credits: 3
- BIO 272 - Insect Biology and Diversity Credits: 3
- BIO 302 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Credits: 4
- BIO 342 - Ornithology Credits: 3
- BIO 352 - Animal Behavior Credits: 3
- BIO 362 - Fisheries Biology Credits: 4
- BIO 372 - Aquatic Insects Credits: 3
- BIO 402 - Aquatic Insects Credits: 3
- BIO 412 - Mammalogy Credits: 4
- BIO 422 - Embryology Credits: 3
- BIO 432 - Comparative Animal Physiology Credits: 4
- BIO 572 - Field Zoology Credits: 3 (with permission)
- BMS 208 - Human Anatomy Credits: 3 AND BMS 309 - Laboratory in Human Anatomy (1 credit)
- BMS 290 - Human Physiology Credits: 3 AND BMS 291 - Laboratory in Human Physiology (1 credit)
Excluded and Restricted Courses
The following courses are excluded from the biology major.
- BIO 104 - Biology for the 21st Century (4 credits)
- BIO 105 - Environmental Science (3 credits)
- BIO 107 - Great Lakes and Other Water Resources (4 credits)
- BIO 109 - Plants in the World (4 credits)
- BIO 205 - Genetics for K-8 Pre-Service Teachers (2 credits)
- Any other biology course whose description prevents it from being used in the major.
Only one of the following courses may be counted in the biology major.
- BIO 309 - Plants and Human Health (3 credits)
- BIO 311 - Who's Running Your Life: Genes, Evolution and Behavior (3 credits)
- BIO 329 - Evolution of Social Behavior (3 credits)
- BIO 349 - The Darwinian Revolution (3 credits)
Emphases (optional):
1. Teacher Certification Emphasis:
Students preparing to teach in secondary schools must complete the biology major outlined above. Secondary admission to the College of Education requires at least a 2.7 GPA in the major.
Students with a baccalaureate degree and a major in biology from another institution can be certified to teach by earning at least five credits in the biology department and completing the professional education requirements of the College of Education. The required courses in biology must be approved by the department chair or designee.
2. Premedical, Preosteopathic, and Predental Emphasis:
Students planning careers as physicians and dentists may major in biology. There is no absolute list of required courses for persons seeking admission to medical or dental schools, though some of these schools have more specific course requirements than others. Careful consultation with your faculty advisor throughout the undergraduate program is strongly advised. Initial academic advising for these preprofessional areas is also available through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Academic Advising Center located in Mackinac Hall, (616) 331-8585.
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I Credits: 5
- CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II Credits: 5
- CHM 241 - Organic Chemistry For Life Sciences I Credits: 4
- CHM 242 - Organic Chemistry For Life Sciences II Credits: 4
- PHY 220 - General Physics I Credits: 5
- PHY 221 - General Physics II Credits: 5
Additional Electives
- BIO 302 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Credits: 4
- BIO 357 - Environmental Microbiology Credits: 4
- BIO 422 - Embryology Credits: 3
- BIO 432 - Comparative Animal Physiology Credits: 4
- BMS 208 - Human Anatomy Credits: 3 AND BMS 309 - Laboratory in Human Anatomy (1 credit)
- BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology Credits: 3 AND BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology (1 credit)
- BMS 290 - Human Physiology Credits: 3 AND BMS 291 - Laboratory in Human Physiology (1 credit)
- CHM 351 - Introduction to Physical Chemistry Credits: 3
- CHM 461 - Biochemistry I Credits: 4
- CHM 462 - Techniques in Biochemistry Credits: 3
- CHM 463 - Biochemistry II Credits: 3
3. Preveterinary Medicine Emphasis:
This emphasis includes all the course requirements currently necessary for admission to the Michigan State University School of Veterinary Medicine with the exception of an introductory course in animal nutrition. An MSU-approved animal nutrition course is currently available online at several universities. Consult your advisor or MSU for details. Additionally, MSU encourages applicants to accumulate experience outside the classroom working with veterinary professionals at both the small and large animal level. If you intend to apply to a veterinary school other than MSU, you need to contact that school to see if there are additional requirements. Early consultation with the pre-vet advisor is strongly encouraged. Initial academic advising for this preprofessional area is also available through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Academic Advising Center located in Mackinac Hall, (616) 331-8585.
Students preparing for careers as veterinarians may major in biology. Students should complete the following courses:
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I Credits: 5
- CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II Credits: 5
- CHM 241 - Organic Chemistry For Life Sciences I Credits: 4
- CHM 242 - Organic Chemistry For Life Sciences II Credits: 4
- CHM 461 - Biochemistry I Credits: 4
- PHY 220 - General Physics I Credits: 5
- PHY 221 - General Physics II Credits: 5
- BIO 357 - Environmental Microbiology Credits: 4
- OR BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology (3 credits) AND BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology (1 credit)
Additional Requirements
Students must have competency in college algebra and trigonometry and must choose biology electives from the following courses:
- BIO 222 - Natural History of Vertebrates Credits: 3
- BIO 232 - Natural History of Invertebrates Credits: 3
- BIO 302 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Credits: 4
- BIO 303 - Plant Morphology Credits: 4
- BIO 352 - Animal Behavior Credits: 3
- BIO 422 - Embryology Credits: 3
- BIO 432 - Comparative Animal Physiology Credits: 4
Non-biology Students
Non-biology students may prepare for admission to Michigan State University School of Veterinary Medicine by completing the following courses plus any required pre-requisites, and the animal nutrition course and veterinary experience as noted above. Students must have competency in college algebra and trigonometry, completion of MTH 201 fulfills this requirement.
- BIO 120 - General Biology I Credits: 4
- BIO 121 - General Biology II Credits: 4
- BIO 357 - Environmental Microbiology Credits: 4
- OR TAKE BOTH BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology (3 credits) AND BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology (1 credit)
- BIO 375 - Genetics Credits: 3
- BIO 405 - Cell and Molecular Biology Credits: 4
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I Credits: 5
- CHM 241 - Organic Chemistry For Life Sciences I Credits: 4
- CHM 242 - Organic Chemistry For Life Sciences II Credits: 4
- PHY 220 - General Physics I Credits: 5
- PHY 221 - General Physics II Credits: 5
4. Pre-physical Therapy Emphasis:
Students planning to apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program may select biology as their undergraduate major. The following modifications to the preprofessional sample curriculum, which is printed in the Physical Therapy section of the Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog, are strongly recommended to ensure that all requirements are met in the most efficient manner.
Students must take the following courses to complete the biology major.
- BIO 121 - General Biology II Credits: 4
- BIO 215 - General Ecology Credits: 4
- BIO 375 - Genetics Credits: 3
- BIO 376 - Genetics Laboratory Credits: 1
- BIO 405 - Cell and Molecular Biology Credits: 4
- BIO 406 - Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory Credits: 2
- BIO 495 - Evolutionary Biology (Capstone) Credits: 3
And a plant biology course
From the following:
- BIO 243 - Plant Identification and Natural History Credits: 3
- BIO 303 - Plant Morphology Credits: 4
- BIO 323 - Aquatic and Wetlands Plants Credits: 3
- BIO 333 - Systematic Botany Credits: 4
- BIO 403 - Plant Structure and Function Credits: 4
- BIO 413 - Freshwater Algae Credits: 3
- BIO 423 - Plant Biotechnology Credits: 3
- BIO 573 - Plants of the Great Lakes Area Credits: 3 (with permission)
5. Plant Biology Emphasis
Requires the following as biology electives.
- BIO 303 - Plant Morphology Credits: 4
- BIO 333 - Systematic Botany Credits: 4
- BIO 403 - Plant Structure and Function Credits: 4
6. Animal Biology Emphasis
Requires the following as biology electives.
- BIO 222 - Natural History of Vertebrates Credits: 3
- BIO 232 - Natural History of Invertebrates Credits: 3
- BIO 302 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Credits: 4
- BIO 432 - Comparative Animal Physiology Credits: 4
7. Wildlife Biology Emphasis
Requires the following as biology electives and the NRM course as a cognate.
- BIO 222 - Natural History of Vertebrates Credits: 3
- BIO 333 - Systematic Botany Credits: 4
- BIO 342 - Ornithology Credits: 3
- BIO 308 - Wildlife Ecology Credits: 4
- BIO 408 - Wildlife Management Credits: 4
- NRM 281 - Principles of Soil Science Credits: 4
8. Aquatic Sciences Emphasis:
The Aquatic Sciences Emphasis provides broad academic training to students with an interest in aquatic sciences. Students selecting the emphasis will complete coursework that covers the two major regional aquatic habitats (lakes and rivers) and the major groups of organisms (fish, plants, invertebrates). The emphasis is specifically designed to prepare students to be particularly competitive for graduate school admission or entry-level positions in the field of aquatic science.
Students will consult with their academic advisor to develop a plan of study that fits their interests and career goals.
All students will complete the following courses:
- BIO 440 - Limnology Credits: 4
- BIO 450 - Stream Ecology Credits: 4
Additional Courses
All students must also choose at least one course from each of the following three categories:
Category 1
- BIO 362 - Fisheries Biology Credits: 4 OR [[permalink=1152|dynamic]]%prefix% %code% - %name% %program_field%[[/permalink]]
Category 2
Category 3
- BIO 323 - Aquatic and Wetlands Plants Credits: 3 OR [[permalink=1154|dynamic]]%prefix% %code% - %name% %program_field%[[/permalink]]
9. Genetics and Cell/Molecular Emphasis:
Students considering graduate study in one of the specialties relating to cellular and molecular biology or genetics, or pursuing work in the aforementioned fields and/or biotechnology may wish to select the genetics and cell and molecular biology emphasis. The genetics and cell and molecular biology emphasis requires:
- PHY 221 - General Physics II (5 credits) OR PHY 231 - Principles of Physics II (5 credits), although optional, is highly recommended
- CHM 241 - Organic Chemistry For Life Sciences I Credits: 4
- CHM 242 - Organic Chemistry For Life Sciences II Credits: 4
- CHM 461 - Biochemistry I Credits: 4
- CHM 462 - Techniques in Biochemistry Credits: 3
- AND EITHER
- PHY 220 - General Physics I Credits: 5 OR PHY 230 - Principles of Physics I (5 credits)
Biology Electives
Courses in the biology electives category must include BIO 423 (Plant Biology elective), 426, six credits of 490 and/or 499, 422 or 432 (Animal Biology elective), and two courses chosen from 411, 414, and 416.
Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Biology
The CLAS Academic Advising Center has biology curriculum guides for the general major and all emphases.