Biological and Physical Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in Biological and Physical Sciences

Degree Requirements (120 cr.)

The Bachelor of Arts degree in biological and physical sciences centers on a traditional core of courses in the humanities and social and behavioral sciences, as well as the natural sciences. Through academic counseling and proper course selection, students may choose a curriculum that is uniquely suited to their specific needs in the biological and physical sciences. Students may follow a very specific curriculum or they may elect to pursue a more general science education. Graduates of the program are prepared to continue their education at the graduate level of certain disciplines or to enter a health-related profession such as medicine, dentistry, or optometry.

English (3 cr.)–This requirement will be satisfied by completing ENG-W 131-W 132 Elementary Composition I-II with a grade of C or higher and ENG-W 350 Advanced Expository Writing or an approved intensive writing course in the major with a grade of C- or higher.

Speech (3 cr.)–Students must demonstrate a proficiency in speech by completing SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking with a grade of C or above. SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking may be counted toward distribution requirements.

Computer Literacy–Students must complete CSCI-C 100 Computing Tools (1 cr.) or earn exemption from this requirement by demonstrating that they have access to a computer with legal word processing, spreadsheet, and database software and that they are able to use that software.

Foreign Language (6 cr.)–There is a language requirement of 6 credit hours at the 200 level (or higher) in a foreign language.

Mathematics–Students must demonstrate a proficiency in mathematics by completing MATH-M 125 Precalculus or MATH-M 118 Finite Mathematics with a grade of C or better, by completing MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus I or MATH-M 215 Calculus I with a grade of C- or better, or by scoring 565 or higher on the Mathematics SAT or 27 or higher on the Mathematics ACT.

General Education (46 cr.)

Humanities (12cr.) Twelve credit hours must be selected from the humanities division, including a freshman literature course and one of the following: any music, art, theatre or philosophy course.

Social & Behavioral Sciences (18 cr.) Eighteen credit hours must be selected from the social and behavioral sciences, including 6 credit hours of Western Civilization (HIST-H 113 and HIST-H 114) and 12 credit hours selected from at least two different departments within the division.

Natural Sciences (16 cr.) Sixteen credit hours must be selected from the natural sciences. Eight credit hours must be selected from the biological sciences, including one course involving a laboratory; and 8 credit hours must be selected from the physical sciences, including one course involving a laboratory. Please note that course work in mathematics and computer science may be used to satisfy a portion of the physical science requirements. Consult an advisor for details.

Major (30 cr)–A minimum of 30 credit hours in courses above the 100 level in one of three major areas: humanities; social and behavioral sciences; or natural, information, and mathematical sciences, with a grade of C- or better in each course, unless specified otherwise in degree-specific programs. No more than 15 credit hours in 200-level courses may be used to satisfy this requirement. The 200-level courses in a foreign language may not be used to satisfy both the concentration requirement and the foreign language requirement.