Biology, Biological Sciences (BS)
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Major: Biological Sciences
Concentration: Biology
Program Code: 3410
About This Major . . .
The Bachelor of Science degree with a Biological Science major provides a broad background in the biological sciences. Students choose biology courses from four areas: cell, developmental, and molecular biology; anatomical and physiological biology; organismal biology; and ecology, evolution, and systematics. Students wishing to obtain teacher certification complete a concentration in Teacher Licensure. The Biology Concentration also offers field courses on tropical ecosystems in Ecuador. The Department of Biology operates the only electron microscope facility in the area. Graduates of our program pursue careers in the medical field, plant pathology, wildlife biology, cell biology or biotechnology, among just a few of the career options available with a Biology degree from Colorado Mesa University.
For more information on what you can do with this major, visit Career Services’ What to Do with a Major? resource.
All CMU baccalaureate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy. In addition to these campus-wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:
- Demonstrate a broad, comprehensive knowledge of the main areas of biology (including evolution, diversity, ecology, cell biology, and genetics) and the ability to apply this knowledge to address new questions. (Specialized knowledge)
- Collect and analyze quantitative data and interpret quantitative data presented in primary scientific literature. (Quantitative Fluency/Applied Learning)
- Utilize science as a way of thinking and problem solving, and make key observations, ask questions, formulate hypotheses, design experiments, collect data, draw logical conclusions, and explain and defend those conclusions to others. (Critical Thinking)
- Demonstrate effective biological communication skills, both in writing and orally. (Communication fluency)
- Evaluate and defend contrasting viewpoints related to ethical, social, civic, and/or environmental challenges in the field of biological sciences. (Personal Social Responsibility)
- Critically search, evaluate, and appropriately apply information from primary scientific literature. (Information Literacy)
Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements.
To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity.
Institutional Degree Requirements
The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU baccalaureate degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.
- 120 semester hours minimum.
- Students must complete a minimum of 30 of the last 60 hours of credit at CMU, with at least 15 semester hours in major discipline courses numbered 300 or higher.
- 40 upper-division credits (an alternative credit limit applies to the Bachelor of Applied Science degree).
- 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
- A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
- No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
- Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 30 semester credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 15 of the 30 credits may be for cooperative education, internships, and practica.
- Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
- Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
- The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
- See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.
Essential Learning Requirements
(31 semester hours)
See the current catalog for a list of courses that fulfill the requirements below. If a course is an Essential Learning option and a requirement for your major, you must use it to fulfill the major requirement and make a different selection for the Essential Learning requirement.
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| English 1 | ||
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I-GTCO1 | 3 |
| ENGL 112 | English Composition II-GTCO2 | 3 |
| Mathematics 1 | ||
| MATH 113 | College Algebra-GTMA1 2 | 3 |
| History | ||
| Select one History course | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Select one Humanities course | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course | 3 | |
| Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course | 3 | |
| Fine Arts | ||
| Select one Fine Arts course | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences 3 | ||
| CHEM 131 & 131L | General Chemistry I-GTSC1 and General Chemistry Laboratory I-GTSC1 | 4 |
| CHEM 132 & 132L | General Chemistry II-GTSC1 and General Chemistry Laboratory II-GTSC1 | 3 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 31 | |
- 1
Must receive a grade of "C" or better and must be complete by the time the student has 60 semester hours.
- 2
This is a 4 credit course. 3 credits apply to the Essential Learning requirements and 1 credit applies to elective credit. Also, professional schools (medical, veterinary, dental) may require one semester or two semesters of calculus. MATH 151 and MATH 152 may be used to fulfill the Mathematics requirement. If Math higher than MATH 113 is needed, an ALEKS Math Placement Test will determine the appropriate Math course.
- 3
CHEM 131 & CHEM 131L and CHEM 132 & CHEM 132L are 5 credit hours each for a total of 10 semester hours. 7 credit hours will apply to Essential Learning Natural Sciences and 3 credit hours will apply to electives.
Other Lower Division Requirements
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness Requirement | ||
| KINE 100 | Health and Wellness | 1 |
| Select one Activity course | 1 | |
| Essential Learning Capstone | ||
| ESSL 290 | Maverick Milestone | 3 |
| ESSL 200 | Essential Speech | 1 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 6 | |
Foundation Courses
(7 semester hours, must pass all courses with a grade of "C" or higher. Foundation courses should be completed by the end of the sophomore year.)
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 105 & 105L | Attributes of Living Systems-GTSC1 and Attributes of Living Systems Laboratory-GTSC1 | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Applied Calculus-GTMA1 2 | ||
| Probability and Statistics-GTMA1 | ||
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 7 | |
- 1
A higher-level subject may be taken in the same category with advisor approval.
- 2
If MATH 131 is taken, 3 credits apply to Foundation and 1 credit applies to Electives.
Program Specific Degree Requirements
(48 semester hours, must pass all courses with a grade of “C” or higher.)
- Topics courses (BIOL 196/BIOL 296/BIOL 396/BIOL 496) may not be used as Additional Biology Courses but must be used for elective credit.
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| BIOL 208 & 208L | Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolution and Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolution Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 301 & 301L | Principles of Genetics and Principles of Genetics Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 483 | Senior Thesis | 2 |
| Required Related Study Area | ||
| BIOL 106 & 106L | Principles of Animal Biology and Principles of Animal Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 107 & 107L | Principles of Plant Biology and Principles of Plant Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 111 & 111L | General Physics I-GTSC1 and General Physics I Laboratory-GTSC1 1 | 5 |
| PHYS 112 & 112L | General Physics II-GTSC1 and General Physics II Laboratory-GTSC1 1 | 5 |
| Additional Biology Courses | ||
| Select 20 semester hours from at least three of the following four categories. 2 | 20 | |
| Category 1: Cellular, Developmental, and Molecular | ||
| Cellular Biology | ||
| Developmental Biology and Developmental Biology Laboratory | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Forensic Molecular Biology and Forensic Molecular Biology Laboratory | ||
| Laboratory Investigations in Cellular and Molecular Biology | ||
| Molecular Genetics | ||
| Pharmacology | ||
| Biochemistry I | ||
| Biochemistry Laboratory | ||
| Category 2: Organismal | ||
| Introduction to Microbiology-GTSC1 and Introduction to Microbiology Laboratory-GTSC1 | ||
| Animal Behavior and Animal Behavior Laboratory | ||
| Plant Identification and Plant Identification Laboratory | ||
| Insect Biology and Insect Biology Laboratory | ||
| Marine Biology | ||
| Invertebrate Zoology and Invertebrate Zoology Laboratory | ||
| Fish Biology and Fish Biology Laboratory | ||
| Small Mammal Biology | ||
| Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Mammalogy and Mammalogy Laboratory | ||
| Ornithology and Ornithology Laboratory | ||
| Herpetology and Herpetology Laboratory | ||
| Animal Parasitology and Animal Parasitology Laboratory | ||
| Marine Invertebrate Communities | ||
| Mycology and Mycology Laboratory | ||
| Category 3: Anatomical and Physiological | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | ||
| Pathophysiology | ||
| Ecological Physiology and Ecological Physiology Laboratory | ||
| Human Physiology and Human Physiology Laboratory | ||
| Gross and Developmental Human Anatomy and Gross and Developmental Human Anatomy Laboratory | ||
| Human Osteology and Human Osteology Laboratory | ||
| Plant Anatomy and Physiology and Plant Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory | ||
| Endocrinology | ||
| Category 4: Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics | ||
| Ecosystem Biology and Ecosystem Biology Laboratory | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| Plant Systematics | ||
| Taxonomy of Grasses and Taxonomy of Grasses Laboratory | ||
| Evolution | ||
| Advanced Ecological Methods and Advanced Ecological Methods Laboratory | ||
| Plant-Animal Interactions | ||
| Tropical Field Biology | ||
| Desert Ecology | ||
| Freshwater Ecology and Freshwater Ecology Laboratory | ||
| Tropical Ecosystems | ||
| Wildlife Management and Wildlife Field Techniques | ||
| Fisheries Management and Fisheries Management Laboratory | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 48 | |
- 1
A higher-level subject may be taken in the same category with advisor approval.
- 2
At least 50% must be at the 300-Level or above. At least one of the following must be included: BIOL 302, BIOL 351/BIOL 351L, BIOL 352/BIOL 352L, or BIOL 427/BIOL 427L.
General Electives
All college level courses appearing on your final transcript, not listed above that will bring your total semester hours to 120 hours, including 40 upper-division credit hours. 28 semester hours; up to 24 hours of upper-division may be needed. It is strongly recommended that all electives be upper-division. Professional schools (medical, veterinary, dental) may require one or two semesters of organic chemistry, which may be taken to fulfill part of electives.
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 113 | College Algebra-GTMA1 | 1 |
| CHEM 131 & 131L | General Chemistry I-GTSC1 and General Chemistry Laboratory I-GTSC1 | 1 |
| CHEM 132 & 132L | General Chemistry II-GTSC1 and General Chemistry Laboratory II-GTSC1 | 2 |
| Select additional electives 1 | 24 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 28 | |
- 1
May need additional elective hours to meet the minimum upper-level credit hours for degree. Meet with advisor to plan general elective hour needs.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Semester Credit Hours | |
| BIOL 105 & 105L | Attributes of Living Systems-GTSC1 and Attributes of Living Systems Laboratory-GTSC1 | 4 |
| CHEM 131 & 131L | General Chemistry I-GTSC1 and General Chemistry Laboratory I-GTSC1 | 5 |
| MATH 113 | College Algebra-GTMA1 | 4 |
| KINE 100 | Health and Wellness | 1 |
| KINA Activity | 1 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIOL 106 & 106L | Principles of Animal Biology and Principles of Animal Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 132 & 132L | General Chemistry II-GTSC1 and General Chemistry Laboratory II-GTSC1 | 5 |
| STAT 200 or MATH 131 | Probability and Statistics-GTMA1 or Applied Calculus-GTMA1 | 3-4 |
| Essential Learning - Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BIOL 107 & 107L | Principles of Plant Biology and Principles of Plant Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 111 & 111L | General Physics I-GTSC1 and General Physics I Laboratory-GTSC1 | 5 |
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I-GTCO1 | 3 |
| Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIOL 208 & 208L | Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolution and Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolution Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 112 & 112L | General Physics II-GTSC1 and General Physics II Laboratory-GTSC1 | 5 |
| ENGL 112 | English Composition II-GTCO2 | 3 |
| Essential Learning - History | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ESSL 290 | Maverick Milestone | 3 |
| ESSL 200 | Essential Speech | 1 |
| BIOL 301 & 301L | Principles of Genetics and Principles of Genetics Laboratory | 4 |
| Additional Biology Courses (2 courses) | 7 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Essential Learning - Humanities | 3 | |
| Additional Biology Courses (2 courses) | 7 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Additional Biology Courses (2 courses) | 6 | |
| Electives (3 courses) | 9 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIOL 483 | Senior Thesis | 2 |
| Electives (3-4 courses) 1 | 12 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 120-121 | |
- 1
Less elective hours may be needed. Adequate elective hours must be taken to bring total semester hours to 120, including 40 upper-division hours.
Advising Process and DegreeWorks
Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. The suggested course sequencing outlines how students could finish degree requirements. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters, while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and altering the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for their intended degree(s).
DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a degree and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.
Graduation Process
Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:
- Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
- Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
- Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
- Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.
Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/graduation.html.
If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be their responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.