2015-2016 Academic Catalog

Apr 19, 2024

2015-2016 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biological Sciences, BA

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Biology Education Concentration

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:

I. Wright State Core: 43 Hours

Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours

Element 2: Mathematics: 4 Hours

Required

STT 2640 - Elementary Statistics Credit Hour(s): 4

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

BIO 1120 - Cells and Genes Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 1150 - Organisms and Ecosystems Credit Hour(s): 4

Additional Core Courses: 10 Hours

Required

CHM 1210 - General Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 1210L - General Chemistry Lab I Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 1220 - General Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 1220L - General Chemistry Lab II Credit Hour(s): 2

II. Departmental Core Requirements: 17 Hours

BIO 2100 - Orientation Seminar in Biological Sciences Credit Hour(s): 1
BIO 2110 - Principles of Molecular and Classical Genetics Credit Hour(s): 3
BIO 2120 - Cell Biology Credit Hour(s): 3
BIO 2130 - Introduction to Molecular Biology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 2.5
BIO 2140 - Introduction to Cell Biology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 2.5
BIO 2310 - Evolution and Ecology Credit Hour(s): 4

Senior Capstone Course

BIO 4000 - Senior Capstone Credit Hour(s): 1 or
BIO 4020 - Current Literature in Biology Credit Hour(s): 3 or
BIO 4920 - Senior Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1

III. Departmental Electives: 15 Hours

Select 15 semester hours from approved 3000- and 4000- level BIO/M&I/EXB. At least one course must include a lab component.

IV. Related Requirements (non-departmental): 42 Hours

CHM 2110 - Organic Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 2110L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 2120 - Organic Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 2120L - Organic Chemistry II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 2
PHY 1110 - Principles of Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4
PHY 1110L - Principles of Physics Lab I Credit Hour(s): 1
PHY 1120 - Principles of Physics II Credit Hour(s): 4
PHY 1120L - Principles of Physics Lab II Credit Hour(s): 1
MTH 1280 - College Algebra Credit Hour(s): 4
18 hours in departments outside COSM and CECS. At least 4 of the 18 semester hrs are required at the 3000- or 4000- level to meet university residency.

V. General Elective: 6 Hours

Total: 123 Hours

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.

Concentrations

Biology Education

Program Description:

The Department of Biological Sciences offers the following degree programs: Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences, and Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science. We offer four options within the Bachelor of Science: an exercise biology option, a bioinformatics option, a microbiology and immunology option, and an ecology option. A preparatory program in Allied Health Areas is available, along with a dual major program in chemistry.

There are minimum grade requirements for departmental courses in each of the undergraduate degree programs. See specific program requirements for details.

The teaching and research programs of the department are conducted in modern, well-equipped classrooms and laboratories. A 200-acre biology preserve on campus and nearby parks and preserves, such as the Beavercreek Wetlands, provide excellent opportunities for terrestrial and aquatic field studies. Students must plan their individual programs of study with the help of a departmental advisor to be sure they are meeting university, college, and departmental requirements. Many undergraduate students include faculty-guided, independent research projects in their academic programs.

Biological Sciences

The Bachelor of Science 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, combined with elective courses from the Department of Biological Sciences and other life science departments such as Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Within this degree, several options are available to students. The programs of study can accommodate students with such differing interests and objectives as graduate work in molecular biology, laboratory work in microbiology, or field work in ecology. Programs also can serve as preprofessional preparation for medical, dental, veterinary, or other health sciences, and for education licensure.

Biological Sciences Education

Students who wish to teach biology or chemistry in Ohio public high schools can pursue the B.A. or B.S. degree in biological sciences. Upon completion of this undergraduate degree program in the College of Science and Mathematics, students must complete the Professional Educators Program (PEP) Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree through Wright State’s College of Education and Human Services. Graduates of the B.A. or B.S. in biological sciences program and the M.Ed. Professional Educators Program are eligible to seek licensure from the Ohio Department of Education in Life Sciences or Life Sciences/Chemistry, depending on the content of the undergraduate curriculum.

Biological Sciences Honors Program

An honors program allows qualified students to carry out independent projects under the guidance of faculty sponsors. Students who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.4 during the preceding three quarters may apply to the Department of Biological Sciences to pursue an honors program. Application for admission to the program should be made during the student’s junior year. Students interested in the honors program should contact the departmental office.