Requirements

This program is designed for students interested in obtaining a broad background in biology, with maximum flexibility in program design.  Students should consult with their adviser to develop an appropriate course of study.  For example, students anticipating a career in biotechnology or biomedical science research may emphasize coursework in molecular, cellular and developmental biology.  Students anticipating careers  with ecological and evolutionary applications may emphasize coursework that explores animal behavior, biodiversity, evolutionary history and interactions of organisms and their environments.

Required 120 credits (36 of which must be numbered 300 or above, and 30 of which must be from UND) including:

I. Essential Studies requirements (See University ES listing, minimum 39 total credits.) The following courses must be taken as part of the Essential Studies requirement:

II. 44 major hours including:

A. Core requirements (24 hours), all courses below:

We strongly advise mastery of materials in all core courses except BIOL 480 Senior Capstone Seminar prior to enrolling in other 300 or 400 level Biology courses.

At least 15 of the total 44 credits required for the BS degree must be taken in the UND Biology department, exclusive of the credits earned in other departments and institutions.

B. Advanced requirements (minimum 20 credit hours):

1. Electives. All 300 or 400 level Biology courses will count toward the 20 elective credit hours needed. Certain science courses in other departments may also qualify as electives (see examples below).

Students may include no more than ten combined credit hours from BIOL 494 Directed Studies; BIOL 492 Research; BIOL 491 Seminar, and BIOL 489 Senior Honors Thesis towards the total 44 credit hours required for this Biology major.

2. Laboratory Requirement.  At least four upper-division Biology courses with laboratories must be included in the 44 hour major. The following labs or courses satisfy this requirement: ^**

Up to three of the following courses from UND departments outside Biology can be applied toward the 20 elective credits required for a BS in Biology degree.

• BIMD 301 Biochemistry will not be allowed to fulfill elective requirements
• BIMD 202 Introduction to Medical Microbiology Lecture/BIMD 202L Introduction to Medical Microbiology Laboratory will only be allowed with special permission of the Biology department.
• Only ANAT 204L Anatomy for Paramedical Personnel Laboratory, and BIMD 302L General Microbiology Laboratory from the above list can be applied toward the requirement for four advanced labs. PPT 301 Human Physiology will not be allowed for the advanced lab requirement.
• PPT 301 Human Physiology and BIOL 442 Physiology of Organs and Systems/BIOL 442L Physiology of Organs and Systems Laboratory will not both be counted towards the 44 credit requirement for a UND Biology degree.
• Other courses will be considered on a case by case basis. To have a course considered, the student should provide a syllabus to the Department Chair.

III. Cognate requirements in other departments (29-32 credit hours):

Teacher Certification

Students seeking secondary teacher certification in Biology must complete the Department of Teaching and Learning requirements in Secondary Education (see Secondary Education listing).

These students must complete the B.S. with Major in Biology, the B.S. in Molecular and Integrative Biology, the B.S. with Major in Biology (Professional Health Sciences Emphasis), or the B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology and include the following five courses:

These students must also complete at least four credit hours of earth science from the following:

Other choices of courses in Biology should be made with the aid of a Biology adviser. Among the other requirements for the major, students seeking teacher certification must complete the following option.

Students interested in certification in both Biology and Physics should take

Formal admission to Teacher Education is required and is normally sought while enrolled in T&L 250 Introduction to Education(see Department of Teaching and Learning listing). Biology majors seeking secondary certification must have an adviser both in the Biology Department and in the Department of Teaching and Learning.