Undergraduate Catalog

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Biology (BIOL) Undergraduate Programs

262 ROBERT H. WICK SCIENCE BUILDING/(320) 308-2039
www.stcloudstate.edu/biology

Also see College of Science and Engineering description and requirements.

Chair: Timothy Schuh
Faculty: Arriagada, Cetkovic-Cvrje, Cook, Gazal, Gulrud, Hauslein, Jacobson, Julius, Kochmann, Kvaal, Marcattilo, Meerschaert, Minger, Olson, Restani, Schoenfuss, Schrank, Schuh, Simpson, Tubbiola, Voelz.

The Department of Biology offers B.S. programs in the following areas: Aquatic Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Ecology and Field Biology (emphases Ecology and Natural Resources and Wildlife Biology), and Science Teaching (Life Science Emphasis in grades 5-8 and 9-12 or grades 9-12 only). These programs are geared to (a) prepare graduates for employment in the rapidly-growing fields of biology, (b) prepare students for entrance to graduate education and careers in research, (c) prepare students for entrance into schools that provide professional training in medical and other allied health fields, (d) prepare students to meet licensure standards for science teaching in grades 5-8 and/or 9-12. Opportunities also exist through the BES Biology major for students to customize their education to meet specific goals. The department supports various pre-professional programs that are listed in the Pre-Professional Programs section of this catalog.

Enrollment, Admission to Major and Graduation Requirements:
Students in the Biomedical Science and Biotechnology major programs should have a minimum overall GPA of 2.50 and a grade of "C" or better in BIOL 151and 152 and be enrolled (or have completed) BIOL 262 before admission to the program is granted. To be admitted into the Ecology and Field Biology major, students must complete BIOL 151 and 152 with grades of "C" or better, be enrolled in (or have completed) either BIOL 306 or 308, and have a minimum overall GPA of 2.50. Ecology and Field Biology students must be admitted to their major prior to enrollment in BIOL 312. Students in the Aquatic Biology, Science Teaching (Life Science Emphasis) and General Biology major programs should have a minimum overall GPA of 2.50 and a grade of "C" or better in BIOL 151, 152 and 262 before admission to the program is granted. Transfer students will be placed in appropriate courses after consultation with an adviser. To qualify for graduation, majors must complete all BIOL courses counted towards the major with grades of "C" or higher (i.e., "C-" is insufficient). A student who wishes to enroll in the same course a third time must obtain permission from the instructor.

Bachelor of Science

Biomedical Sciences (80)
This program will allow students to prepare for entrance into schools which provide professional training in the health care fields, graduate school, or a career in a laboratory or health related area.   Completion of one of the following courses with a grade of   "C" or better fulfills the upper division writing requirement for the Biomedical Sciences program: BIOL 456, 468, 478, 482, 484, or 494.

Required courses:
BIOL 151, 152, 262, 360, 362, 494
CHEM 210, 211, 310, 311, 480
PHYS 231, 232
STAT 319
Electives courses: 23 credits
The department maintains an updated list of approved electives.

Bachelor of Elective Studies--Biology Major (36)

Required courses:
BIOL 151, 152
CHEM 210
Elective courses: Completion of 24 credits in biological sciences at the 200-level or higher with approval of the department. This option allows students, in conjunction with their advisors, the opportunity to design specialized programs of study in biology. Examples are: Cytotechnology, Fisheries Biology. Contact the Chair of the Biology Department as soon as possible to determine an appropriate faculty adviser. Completion of one of the following courses with a grade of "C" or better fulfills the upper division writing requirement for the BES Biology program: BIOL 440, 441, 448, 456, 457, 468, 478, 482, 484, or 494.

Bachelor of Science--Aquatic Biology (86)

[Program is not admitting new majors. Please consult the online version of this catalog for current information.]

This program provides classroom, laboratory and field experience in aquatic biology. A flexible electives based program that allows students, with the assistance of an adviser, to construct a solidly focused Aquatic degree.

This program is intended for students interested in careers in freshwater biology, especially fisheries, water quality, limnology and freshwater ecology. Completion of one of the following courses with a grade of "C" or better fulfills the upper division writing requirement for the Aquatic Biology program: BIOL 448, 456, or 457.

Required courses:
BIOL 151, 152, 212 or 214, 262, 312, 322, 326, 430, 434, 436, 438, 448
CHEM 210, 211, 240 or 350, 241 or 320
PHYS 231 or AHS 220
STAT 319
CNA 302
MATH 211
Biology electives: 8 credits at 300 or 400 level approved by adviser. A list of approved courses will be provided by your Aquatics adviser.

Bachelor of Science-Ecology & Field Biology (72-79)

This program provides a framework of courses and field experiences within two emphases, Ecology and Natural Resources and Wildlife Biology. Because of the number of options involved, it is essential to see an emphasis adviser during the first semester you are enrolled in biology courses. Depending on number of 200-level credits applied towards the major, additional 300- or 400-level credits may be required to satisfy the University requirement of 45 upper division credits.

Completion of one of the following courses with a grade of "C" or better fulfills the upper division writing requirement for the Ecology and Field Biology program: BIOL 440, 441, 448, 456, or 457.

Requirements for all Ecology and Field Biology majors: (51-53 credits)
BIOL 151, 152, 222, 262, 306, 308, 312, 456
CHEM 210, 240 and either CHEM 211 or 241.  300-level chemistry courses may fulfill requirement if approved by adviser.

Quantitative and technical skills:

One course from the following: MATH 112, 115, 211, 212, 221, 222

MATH 211 (higher level MATH course is taken if MATH 211 is used to satisfy requirement above) or GEOG 316 (GEOG 216 usually required as a prerequisite) or other appropriate skills course as approved by adviser.
STAT 319

Additional Biology and supporting courses in one of the following Emphasis Areas:

Ecology and Natural Resources (additional 25-26 credits)
This program is designed to provide students with the majority of the necessary coursework to make them eligible for future certification as professional ecologists by the Ecological Society of America. Note: full certification by ESA requires professional experience beyond a bachelor's degree. 

                           

        313 and 441 and either 438 or 442

        A course in Natural Resources or Policy. Choose from ETS 367, 465, GEOG 303, BIOL 436.

        12 additional elective credits.  Consult adviser to choose from 300- and 400-level BIOL courses and appropriate courses from

        other science fields including ANTH, CHEM, CNA, AHS, ETS, GEOG, MATH, PHYS, STAT. Elective courses outside of BIOL

        below the 300 level may be counted, but additional 300- and 400-level credits may be necessary to satisfy the University

        requirement of 45 credits at the 300-level and higher.

Wildlife Biology (additional 21-24 credits)
This program is designed to provide students with the majority of the necessary coursework to make them eligible for future certification

as professional wildlife biologists by The Wildlife Society. Note: It is normally not possible to complete all the Wildlife Society

certification courses in a 120-credit B.S. degree at SCSU, and full certification by TWS requires professional experience beyond a

bachelor's degree. Please consult your adviser for details.

         BIOL 314, 324, 440, 442

         One additional course in zoology or animal behavior. Choose from 316, 318, 322, 323, 434, 441, 446, 460.

         One additional course in plant biology. Choose from 418, 420, 422, 430.

Bachelor of Science-Biology-Minor (24)

BIOL 151, and 152, CHEM 160 or 210
Additionally, 12 credits of Biology courses at the 200-level or higher.
Courses must be approved by adviser.

Bachelor of Science - Biotechnology (87)

This program is recommended for those who wish to work in the area of biotechnology. With this degree students may seek employment following graduation or apply for admission to graduate schools for further study. Students should contact the biotechnology major adviser in their freshman year.

Completion of one of the following courses with a grade of "C" or better fulfills the upper division writing requirement for the Biotechnology program: BIOL 440, 441, 448, 456, or 457.

Required courses:
BIOL 151, 152, 262, 360, 362, 444, 468, 472, 482, 484
CHEM 210, 211, 310, 311, 480, 481
PHYS 231, 232
MATH 211, 212
STAT 319
Biology Electives: 8 credits from BIOL 466, 476, 478, 486, or other courses approved by adviser.

Bachelor of Science-Science Teaching,
Life Science/General Science Education, Grades 5-12 (66)

This program provides the background required by State of Minnesota science-content and science education licensure standards for science teachers in grades 5-8 and life science teachers grades 9-12. All students interested in science teaching must complete both the 5-8 science teaching core and a 9-12 science content emphasis. The courses in this major result in a waiver of 9 credits in Area B (Natural Sciences) of the General Education distribution requirement. Students considering this major are encouraged to contact the science education adviser in the Department of Biological Sciences at the earliest opportunity.  In addition to your science courses, all teaching license candidates must complete additional education courses, offered through the School of Education. Please contact your adviser for a complete listing of all required courses.

5-8 Science Education Core (43)
ASTR 106; BIOL 151, 152; CHEM 210, 211; AHS 205; PHYS 231, 232; SCI 420, 430, 440.

9-12 Life Science Education Emphasis (23)
BIOL 202, 206, 212 or 214, 262, 312; Approved Biology Elective (3)

Bachelor of Science

Life Science Education, Grades 9-12 (65)

This program provides the background required by State of Minnesota science-content and science education licensure standards for life science teachers in grades 9-12. The courses in this major result in a waiver of 9 credits in Area B (Natural Sciences) of the General Education distribution requirement. Students considering this major are encouraged to contact the science education adviser in the Department of Biology at the earliest opportunity.  In addition to your science courses, all teaching license candidates must complete additional education courses, offered through the School of Education. Please contact your adviser for a complete listing of all required courses.

BIOL 151, 152, 202, 206, 212, 214, 262, 312; CHEM 160 or 210, 211; SCI 420, 430, 440; Approved Biology Electives (14)