Biology Major

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Program Coordinator/Contact
Volker Brözel, Department Head
Department of Biology and Microbiology
Alfred Dairy Science Hall 228
605-688-6141
E-mail: biomicro@abs.sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/biomicro
Click here for additional information.

Program Information
The curriculum in General Biology provides breadth of exposure to fundamental areas of biology. Students majoring in Biology without a specialization take coursework providing a balance of cell, molecular, and organsimal classes. Students select from microbiology, botany and animal based classes based on their desired career path.

Academic Requirements
A minimum GPA of 2.0 must be maintained in the major courses.

Course Delivery Format
Program coursework is on-campus, in classroom and laboratories, as well as field-based settings. Additional coursework is available at off-campus attendance centers. Limited coursework is available online.

Requirements for Biology Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

System General Education Requirements*: 33-35

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101
and
ENGL 201
Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SPCM 101
Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics¹
MATH 102
and
MATH 120
or
MATH 115
or
MATH 121-121L
or
MATH 123

(123L)
Credits: 4-6
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
BIOL 151-151L
and
BIOL 153-153L
Credits: 8

Institutional Graduation Requirements**: 5

Goal #1 First Year Seminar
BIOL 109-109L**
Credits: 2
Goal #2 Cultural Awareness and Social and Environmental Responsibility Credits: 3

Major Requirements: 59-65

Biology and Microbiology: 13

BIOL 202-202L - Genetics and Organismal Biology and Lab
Credits: 3, 1
BIOL 204-204L - Genetics and Cellular Biology and Lab
Credits: 3, 1
MICR 233-233L - Introductory Microbiology and Lab
Credits: 3, 1
BIOL 290 - Seminar
Credits: 1

Chemistry: 16

CHEM 112-112L - General Chemistry I and Lab * (COM)
Credits: 3, 1
CHEM 114-114L - General Chemistry II and Lab * (COM)
Credits: 3, 1
CHEM 326-326L - Organic Chemistry I and Lab (COM)
Credits: 3, 1
CHEM 328-328L - Organic Chemistry II and Lab (COM)
Credits: 3, 1

Physics: 4-8

PHYS 111-111L - Introduction to Physics I and Lab * (COM)
Credits: 4 and
PHYS 113-113L - Introduction to Physics II and Lab * (COM)
Credits: 4
or
PHYS 101-101L - Survey of Physics and Lab * (COM)
² Credits: 4

Mathematics: 3-4

MATH 125 - Calculus II * (COM)
Credits: 4
or
STAT 281 - Introduction to Statistics * (COM)
Credits: 3

Advanced Writing: 3

ENGL 379 - Technical Communication (COM) (AW)
Credits: 3

Select One Plan of Study

General Biology Major Credits: 20-21
Pre-professional Specialization Credits: 23-27
Secondary Education Specialization Credits: 48-49

General Biology Major: 20-21

Biology majors without specializations are required to complete at least 10 additional departmental credits at the 300-400 level (Biol, Bot, or Micr) 10 Credits
In addition, select one of the following paths 10-11 Credits
       -
BIOL 373 - Evolution (COM)
Credits: 3
       -
BIOL 221-221L - Human Anatomy and Lab (COM)
Credits: 4
       -
BIOL 325-325L - Physiology and Lab (COM)
Credits 4
OR
       -
BIOL 373 - Evolution (COM)
Credits: 3
       -
BOT 201-201L - General Botany and Lab * (COM)
Credits: 3
       -
BOT 327-327L - Plant Physiology and Lab (COM)
Credits: 4

Electives: 15-23

Total Required Credits: 120

Curriculum Notes

1. Students planning for professional or graduate degree programs should take MATH 121 or 123 and 125.
2. PHYS 101-101L is not sufficient for students planning to enter professional or graduate degree programs.

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

** South Dakota State University has a 5 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.