Biology (B.S.)

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The curriculum of the Bachelors of Science degree in Biology is designed to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions necessary to pursue entry to professional and graduate schools or employment in the biological sciences or in secondary education. The B.S. degree in Biology can prepare students for immediate employment in biotechnology, environmental monitoring/regulation, pharmaceuticals and many other applied laboratory or field research facilities in private industry, government, or colleges and universities. Many biology majors go on to professional programs, including medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, optometry, forestry, and law. Opportunities also exist for biology majors in journalism, broadcasting and public policy. Many graduates continue on in academia to pursue graduate level work in many areas of biological sciences such as molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, ecology, zoology, botany, and many others.

The B.S. degree in Biology encompasses a core of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics courses that will engage students in the learning process and provide them with the requisite skills essential for a foundation in the biological sciences. The degree includes a minimum of 120 credit hours consisting of the University System of Georgia’s general education Core Curriculum, biology core, and elective courses.

Entrance Requirements:

Complete all GSC general institutional admissions requirements.
Declare a major in B.S. in Biology. Students who have accumulated 30 credit hours or more must complete all required 1000- and 2000-level science and mathematics courses prior to declaring the B.S. in Biology major.

Semester Core Curriculum (Areas A-E)

Refer to Core Curriculum

Core Areas A, D, and F Requirements for Biology Majors

Note: Area A math must be MATH 1113 or higher.

Note: Area D science labs must include one of the following sequences: CHEM 1211/L and CHEM 1212/L; or BIOL 1107/L and BIOL 1108/L; or PHYS 1111/L and PHYS 1112/L. STAT 2400 should be completed as the Area D Math Elective.

Note: Area F must include the following courses that are not completed in Area D: CHEM 1211/L and CHEM 1212/L; and BIOL 1107/L and BIOL 1108/L; and PHYS 1111/L and PHYS 1112/L and one of the following math courses: MATH 1450, MATH 2460, or MATH 2470.

Major Core Courses

Directed Electives

Choose a minimum of 12 hours from the following:

Electives

In consultation with an advisor, choose 21 hours of electives from courses numbered 3000-level and above from BIOL, CHEM, ESCI, PSYC, ENST, and GISC disciplines.

Program Completion Requirements

Successful completion of all courses required in the degree program, including the lower division associate degree requirements.
Successful completion of a minimum of 42 general education credits according to the distribution established by the College (Areas A-E) Core Curriculum including required courses in Areas A and D as outlined in this degree program.
Successful completion of at least 37 credits of upper division coursework in the major (3000- and 4000-level courses with the BIOL, ESCI, or CHEM course prefix).
Grades of C or higher required for all Major Core Courses and Directed Electives.
Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA required for graduation.