2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Biology (BIOL) Major


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Tom Cheesbrough, Head
Department of Biology and Microbiology
Agricultural Hall 304
605-688-6141
e-mail: biomicro@abs.sdstate.edu
http://biomicro.sdstate.edu/

Requirements for Biology Major - Bachelor of Science:


Majors must complete the core curriculum and one of the specializations for their B.S.

Core Curriculum:


Freshman Year:


  • SGR Goal 3: Social Sciences 3
    * (Spring)
  • IGR Goal 2: any course listed except BIOL 105 2-3
    * (Fall)

SGR Goal 5: Mathematics: choose A, B, C, or D


Take 3-5 credits in Fall and 3-4 credits in Spring.

Or Mathematics B:


Or Mathematics D:


See note one below

Sophomore Year:


  • SGR Goal 3: Social Sciences Credits: 3
    * (Fall)
  • SGR Goal 4: Humanities and Arts Credits: 3
    * (Fall or Spring)

Organic Chemistry: choose A or B:


Or: Organic Chemistry B:


(See note three below)

  • CHEM elective (CHEM 464-464L recommended)
    and

Junior Year:


  • IGR Goal 3: Social Responsibility/Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness 3
    **(Fall)
  • Specialization courses/electives 6 in Fall and  9 in Spring

Physics: choose A or B


Take 4 credits in the Fall and 4 credits in the Spring.

Choose Physics B:


(See note four below)

Choose Physics C:


IGR Goal 1: Land and Natural Resources: Choose one below:


**

Choose one from the following:


Senior Year:


  • Specialization courses/electives Credits: 13 in Fall and 15 in Spring

Research and communications skills: Choose one below:


(See note 8 below)

Or:


(See note 8 below)

Notes:


Note one:
Students in the Preprofessional Specialization, Biology-Ecology Specialization, or
planning to attend graduate school should take MATH 121, or 123 and 125.

Note two:
Students in all specializations except Biology-Ecology Specialization and
Environmental Management are required to take this series. Biology-Ecology
Specialization and Environmental Management students must take either BIOL 202 or
BIOL 371; they are not required to take the other courses in this series.

Note three:
Pre-professional students should talk to their adviser before selecting this option.

Note four:
PHYS 101-101L is not sufficient for students planning to enter professional schools,
graduate degree programs, or those in the Environmental Management major.

Note five:
Required for Biology-Organismal and Biology Ecology specializations. Recommended
for other Microbiology and Biology specializations, except Pre-professional.

Note Six:
Recommended for Biology-Pre-professional specialization.

Note Seven:
Required for Environmental Management majors.

Note Eight:
Consult with the 490 instructor before selecting 496 or 498.

Preprofessional Specialization - Health Related:


Required courses:


Footnote:


Pre-Vet students can substitute VET 223-223L, Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals and Lab and ZOOL 483-483L, Developmental Biology and Lab for these courses.

Notes:


Most professional schools require at least 1 year math (e.g., MATH 121 and STAT 281), 1 year physics, 1 year majors biology and 2 years majors chemistry.

Organismal Biology Specialization:


Required Core Courses:
See note one below

Focus Electives:


Take at least  five (5) courses from the following list:
See note two below

Notes:


Note one:
In addition to BOR, SDSU, College, & Major requirements, students take 8 courses in
their particular field of study. Of these 8 courses, the following 3 are required of ALL
Organismal Biology Students:

Note two:
General Biology Focus: Core + 1 BIOL, 1 Bot + 1 ZOOL/WL + 2 additional courses
from elective list
Botany Focus: Core + 3 BOT + 2 additional courses from elective list
Zoology Focus: Core + 3 ZOOL/WL + 2 additional courses from elective list

Ecology Specialization:


Required courses

Secondary Education Specialization:


Required Courses:
See note below

Take at least four (4) courses from the following list:


  • BOT 127-127L, Ethnobotany Credits: 3

Notes:


Students selecting the Biology: Secondary Education Specialization need the well rounded exposure to biology that is provided by the Core Requirements (/151L, 153- 153L, 202-202L, 204-204L, 311, MICR 231-231L) and the Specialization Requirements (BIOL 373, 325-325L and BOT 201). The BioMicro Core contains 41-49 hours of General Education, IGR, and Biology requirements. The Secondary Education Specialization requires an additional 22-26 credits. Students complete their degree by taking additional courses from Education, the life sciences and other areas to complete
the required 128 credits.

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