2017-2018 Academic Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biological Sciences, BA


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Program Description:

The Bachelor of Art curriculum offers a broad, integrated, and in-depth approach to the life sciences.  Departmental requirements consist of a balanced core of courses selected from several subject areas including chemistry and physics combined with elective courses from the Department of Biological Sciences and other elective courses outside of the sciences.

Within this degree, several options are available to students.  The programs of study can accommodate students with differing interests and objectives such as graduate work in molecular biology, laboratory work in microbiology, field work in ecology, or science education.  Advanced electives include courses in animal physiology, exercise biology, plant biology, vertebrate and invertebrate zoology, bioinformatics, wetlands biology, aquatic environment, biological safety, entomology and evolution.

The general Biology degree (BA) also provides course flexibility for those students interested in pursuing non-science courses.  Students are able to apply courses from other disciplines including the Raj Soin College of Business, the College of Education and Human Services and the College of Liberal Arts.  The flexibility in this degree program makes it a wonderful choice for transfer students or those students with credits outside of the sciences.

Career Opportunities:

The biological science majors are traditional academic programs designed to give students a broad, versatile education in various areas of biology.  Careers in biology can contribute to improving human health and personal well being, to environmental protection, to production of food supplies, or to increasing basic human knowledge about the world.  Some of the attractions to being a biologist may include work in a dynamic and evolving field, opportunities to help people, animals, or the environment, the international nature of many areas of science, and the possibility of working outdoors.

Biology students find employment within a wide range of organizations.  Employers include medical facilities, research laboratories, health maintenance organizations, biotechnology firms, bioengineering companies, environmental companies, schools, pharmaceutical companies, animal care, government, law firms, and the food industry.

Campus Contact Information:

For more information about undergraduate degrees in Biological Sciences, please contact:

Biology Advising Center

235 Bio Sci Bldg

(937) 775-4226

bioadvising@wright.edu

Department Chair:  Dr. David Goldstein

Academic Advisors:  Brian Borchers, Matt Skira, Courtney Smith

For additional information:

Program Requirements:


Note: For graduation credit, all CoSM courses require a grade of C or better. 

I. Wright State Core: 43 Hours


Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours


Element 2: Mathematics: 4 Hours


Required

Element 3: Global Traditions: 6 Hours


Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours


Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours


Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours


Required

Additional Core Courses: 10 Hours


Required

Senior Capstone Course


III. Departmental Electives: 16 Hours


Select 16 semester hours from approved 3000- and 4000- level BIO/M&I. At least one course must include a lab component.

You may apply up to 5 hours of Independent Study.  Independent Study is to be arranged by the student and professor and can include:  BIO 4880  Independent Reading; BIO 4900  Research; BIO 4950  Honors Research *Up to 8 hours of Honors Research may apply.  *Up to 3 hours of BIO 3990  Undergrad Teaching Asst. can apply.  3.0 required for BIO 3990.

IV. Related Requirements (non-departmental): 39 Hours


V. General Elective: 4 Hours


Total: 120 Hours


**For graduation credit, a grade of C or better is required for all Core, Departmental, Supporting and Life Science Elective science and math courses.

Graduation Planning Strategy


The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.

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