2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Nov 30, 2024  
2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Biology Major


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors & Minors

Requirements for Biology Major - Bachelor of Science:


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

System General Education Requirements*: 32


Institutional Graduation Requirements**: 8-9


Major Requirements: 44-48


Specialization and Elective Requirements: 43


Total Required Credits: 128


Notes:


Note One: If you select this option to complete Goal #5, and are planning to enter professional or graduate degree programs you should also take MATH 121 or 123 and 125.

Note Two: If you select this option to complete Goal #5, and are planning to major in Microbiology or the Biology-Ecology and Molecular/Cellular specializations, you should aslo take MATH 121 or 123 and 125.

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

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

Note Five: Required for Environmental Management majors.

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

Note Seven: Consult with the 490 instructor before selecting 496/498.

Note Eight: Pre-professional students should talk to their advisor before selecting an option.

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

Preprofessional Specialization - Health Related: 23-27


Recommended General Electives:


(if not taken to meet core requirements) to complete the 128 credits required for graduation:

Choose from the following:


Choose one from the following:


Footnote:


Pre-Vet students can substitute VET 223-223L, Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals and Lab and one additional course (at least 4 credits) from the Health Related electives (or an advanced animal science course like Advanced Animal Nutrition or Reproductive Physiology).

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: 25-30


Required Core Courses:
See note one 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

Secondary Education Specialization: 26-30


Required Courses:
See note below

Notes:


Students selecting the Biology: Secondary Education Specialization need the well rounded exposure to biology that is provided by the Core Requirements (BIOL 151-151L, 153-153L, 202-202L, 204-204L, 311, MICR 231-231L) and the Specialization Requirements (BIOL 221-221L, 373, 325-325L and BOT 201-201L). 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.

Institutional Graduation Requirements** Credits: 8-9


Curriculum Notes:


* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has an 8-9 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors & Minors