Biology

This major prepares students for a variety of careers in biology. Students may go on to graduate school in the biological sciences. This major also prepares students to enter any of the professional fields related to health, teaching, research, outreach, and other areas in academic, industry or a government agency. Opportunities include environmental studies, genetics, physiology, botany, zoology, microbiology, cellular biology, developmental biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, ecology and conservation biology, to name a few graduate study specialties. Students have the option of graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree or with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

CMU has a chapter of Beta Beta Beta, a national honorary biological society (advisors: Dr. Paul Porneluzi and Dr. Greg Thurmon), and a chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a national pre-health professions fraternity (advisor: Dr. Anna Slusarz and Dr. Terese Zidon).

Programmatic Student Learning Outcomes

SLO 1: Communication of Biological Knowledge and Ability – The well-trained Biology major should be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, about biological and environmental concepts.

SLO 2: Proficiency in Biological Lab Practices – Proper training in Biology requires laboratory proficiency. Students should be able to be proficient in basic laboratory techniques and collection and analysis of data.

SLO 3: Knowledge of Biology – The well-prepared Biology major must build a broad base of knowledge in cell biology, genetics, physiology, ecology, zoology, and biochemistry and should be able to integrate knowledge from several biology fields as they specialize in their chosen area.

The following programs provide guidance to students for selecting the courses necessary for their goals.

Biology Program: Biology is a broad and constantly changing field.  Students will study a set of biology courses tailored to their individual interests.  Graduates will earn a bachelor's degree with a major in Biology and may choose to minor in a field of their choice. To guide students, CMU offers three tracks of recommended classes to help students prepare for commonly chosen career paths.

Molecular Biology Track: Students learn concepts and techniques that prepare them for careers in Biology or advanced study in a variety of fields of Biology. These fields include, but are not limited to, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Microbiology. Graduates will earn a bachelor's degree with a major in Biology.

Pre-Health Science Professionals Track: Students learn and practice Biology, and prepare for studying health professions in Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Chiropractic, Optometry, Veterinary Schools, and others.  Graduates will earn a bachelor's degree with a major in Biology.

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Biology Track: Students learn and experience the fields of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Biology.  Graduates will earn a bachelor's degree with a major in Biology.

Majors and Minors

Major Minor

BA or BS in Biology Biology Minor BA or BS in Biology with Certification
Courses

BI101 - General Biology I - 3 Semester Hours

BI101L - General Biology I Lab - 1 Semester Hours

BI102 - General Biology - 3 Semester Hours

BI102L - General Biology Lab - 1 Semester Hours

BI105 - Introduction to Environmental Science - 3 Semester Hours

BI105L - Introduction to Environmental Science Lab - 1 Semester Hours

BI106 - Human Biology - 3 Semester Hours

BI106L - Human Biology Lab - 1 Semester Hours

BI108 - Biodiversity - 3 Semester Hours

BI108L - Biodiversity Lab - 1 Semester Hours

BI109 - Human Anatomy and Physiology - 4 Semester Hours

BI109L - Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab - 1 Semester Hours

BI120 - Intro to Infectious Diseases - 3 Semester Hours

BI190 - Special Topics - 3 Semester Hours

BI204 - Human Anatomy - 4 Semester Hours

BI204L - Human Anatomy Lab - 1 Semester Hours

BI205 - General Physiology - 4 Semester Hours

BI205L - General Physiology Lab - 1 Semester Hours

BI206 - Invertebrate Zoology-Parasitology - 3 Semester Hours

BI206L - Inverebrate Zoology-Parasitology Lab - 1 Semester Hours

BI230 - BI230 Dauphin Island Biodiversity Toxicology - 3 Semester Hours

BI240 - BI240 Marine Biology - 3 Semester Hours

BI240L - BI240L Marine Biology Lab - 1 Semester Hours

BI300 - Ornithology - 3 Semester Hours

BI300L - Ornithology Lab - 1 Semester Hours

BI301 - Ecology - 3 Semester Hours

BI301L - Ecology Lab - 1 Semester Hours

BI302 - Botany - 2 Semester Hours

BI302L - Botany Lab - 1 Semester Hours

BI303 - Early Vertebrates - 3 Semester Hours

BI303L - Early Vertebrates Lab - 1 Semester Hours

BI304 - Mammalogy - 3 Semester Hours

BI304L - Mammalogy Lab - 1 Semester Hours

BI305 - Microbiology - 3 Semester Hours

BI305L - Microbiology Lab - 1 Semester Hours

BI306 - Genetics - 3 Semester Hours

BI306L - Genetics Lab - 1 Semester Hours

BI307 - Comparative Animal Behavior - 3 Semester Hours

BI307L - Comparative Animal Behavior Lab - 1 Semester Hours

BI309 - Histology - 2 Semester Hours

BI309L - Histology Lab - 2 Semester Hours

BI310 - A Field Study in Coral Reef Restoration - 3 Semester Hours

BI311 - Conservation Biology and Natural Resource Management - 3 Semester Hours

BI314 - Pathophysiology - 3 Semester Hours

BI315 - Immunology - 3 Semester Hours

BI317 - Biochemstry and Cellular Physiology - 3 Semester Hours

BI317L - Biochemistry and Cellular Physiology Lab - 2 Semester Hours

Bi318 - Toxicology and Environmental Medicine - 3 Semester Hours

BI320 - Molecular and Cellular Biology - 3 Semester Hours

BI320 - Molecular and Cellular Biology Lab - 2 Semester Hours

BI380 - Major Readings - 3 Semester Hours

BI480 - Special Problems - 3 Semester Hours

Last updated: 07/06/2021