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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2016-2017
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A biology major will also prepare students for additional coursework and research in
graduate school in areas as diverse as ecology, molecular biology, physiology,
environmental studies, and conservation biology. In addition the program provides the
preparation needed for application to medical and dental schools, and also provides pre-
professional training for students interested in various health-related fields (e.g.,
physical therapy, and physician or surgical assistant’s programs). Biology majors may
enter public school teaching with the appropriate courses in education required for
certification.
Pre-professional programs in biology/environmental studies and biology/pre-nursing
are offered, and courses in biology can be combined with courses in other disciplines
for an individualized major to meet specialized career goals.
Additional course requirements may be needed for entrance into medical, dental or
other professional programs. Students should consult with the health professions
program advisor to ensure that they complete all of the requirements needed for
acceptance into the professional program of interest.
The chemistry courses required for the biology major may be used to meet minor
requirements in chemistry. Major requirements in the biology major may also be used
towards the urban environmental studies major and minor.
Upon completion of the biology major, students will be able to
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search the scientific literature and find adequate, appropriate source material on
a given topic
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develop hypotheses and experiments to test them
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conduct experiments
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analyze data and draw appropriate conclusions
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clearly communicate scientific findings to diverse audiences
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write clearly and concisely in a scientific format
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demonstrate knowledge of the broad fundamental concepts of biology
Major Requirements
The following courses are required (11 units):
BI 115
BI 125 or HON 126
BI 215 or BI 220
BI 225
CH 120 or CH 149
four elective units in BI, one of which must be at the 400 level;
one elective must have a significant field component (BI 206, BI 232, BI 332, or
BI 411); for students who fulfill the core genetics requirement with
BI 215, as opposed to BI 220, one elective must have a significant molecular lab
technique component (BI 304, BI 402, or BI 405); the field or the molecular lab
technique course may satisfy the 400-level requirement