2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Dec 05, 2025

2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Biological Sciences, BA (BIOSCI-BA)

CIP Code: 260101

Program Description

The Biological Sciences, Bachelor of Arts, offers greater flexibility and an enhanced liberal arts education than does the Bachelor of Science. Students can focus their studies in health sciences (e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician’s assistant, etc.), molecular and cellular biology, microbiology, conservation biology, and ecology. The curriculum fosters critical thinking and scientific reasoning, while providing an opportunity for more elective study in other fields, including minors, certificates, and microcredentials. The flexibility of this degree also provides an opportunity for transferring in credits earned from two-year tech programs at other institutions.

The General Life Science concentration combines fundamental courses in biology with advanced life science electives and a flexible choice of general and non-science electives, thereby providing a well-rounded education.

The Life & Earth Science Education concentration combines fundamental courses in biology with courses in earth sciences and education needed for licensure in Adolescence to Young Adult Education.

Program Admission Requirements

This academic program does not have admission requirements beyond regular admission to Wright State University. Any student is eligible to declare this academic program.

Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

Describe the structure and function of DNA, RNA, and proteins and the flow of genetic information from genotype to phenotype.
Illustrate the inheritance of traits and how heritable genetic variants among individuals affect survival and reproduction.
Identify the structure and function of cells, organelles, and major organ systems.
Explain how energy flows and nutrients cycle through ecosystems, how organisms interact with their biotic and abiotic environments, and how climate change affects ecosystems.
Describe the chemical basis of life.
Use statistical analyses to analyze biological data and interpret the results of quantitative analyses and graphical representations of data.
Present quantitative data in graphs and tables.
Formulate testable hypotheses that are based on prior knowledge.
Implement appropriate experimental designs to collect data and draw conclusions.
Read scientific literature and interpret figures, tables, and statistical data presented within.
Apply biological concepts to real-world problems and scenarios, such as medical research, environmental conservation, and biotechnology.
Design and deliver oral presentations and write lab reports and scinetif to communicate biological concepts to peers and general audiences.
Communicate science in written lab reports, literature reviews, and scientific papers.
Discuss the ethical implications of biological research and its impact on society.
Communicate information about a topic from a non-CoSM discipline (for example, education).
Describe Earth’s history, plate tectonics, the regulation of weather and climate, and the solar system and universe (Life/Earth Science Education concentration only).

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

Explain fundamental concepts of biology at molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecosystem scales.
Recognize how chemistry applies to biology.
Interpret quantitative analysis and graphical representation of data.
Apply observational strategies, formulate testable hypotheses, and design experiments with appropriate controls and variables.
Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Communicate biological information to general audiences orally and in writing.
Describe the ethical implications of biological understanding and discoveries.
Demonstrate a broader understanding of a discipline or disciplines outside of the College of Science and Mathematics.
Explain fundamental concepts in earth and space science (Life/Earth Science Education concentration only

Honors Program

An honors program allows qualified students to carry out sustained independent projects under the guidance of faculty sponsors. Students who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.40 during the preceding two semesters 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 email the department at biology@wright.edu.

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)

The Life & Earth Sciences Education concentration prepares students to be eligible to apply for a professional license to practice in the state of Ohio. Students planning to work in other states or countries should contact the relevant state licensing board in the state where you plan to work before beginning the program. SARA does not provide reciprocity for state professional licensure requirements. Academic programs and the program graduate must meet standards set by the licensing board in a state in order for the graduate to be eligible for a license in that state.

For More Information

I. Wright State Core: 36 Credit Hours

As a part of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Wright State University, all students must complete the Wright State Core, a general education curriculum. Most programs require 36 hours in the Core, some programs may require additional hours.

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

First-Year Seminar: 1 Credit Hour

All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year. Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy one additional credit hour in the Additional Core Courses category.

UVC 1010 - First Year Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours

First-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100.  Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course (DEV 0100). 
ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
Second-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)
ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 4 Credit Hours

Students will select one course from the list below. Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the required course chosen below.

Required:

STT 1600 - Statistical Concepts Credit Hour(s): 4
or
STT 2640 - Elementary Statistics Credit Hour(s): 4

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Arts and Humanities courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. One course must fulfill the History requirement.

History Requirement

Choose 1 course from the list below:
HST 1100 - Western Civilizations to 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1200 - The West and the World since 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1500 - Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
Arts and Humanities Course (3 credit hours)

Choose an additional Arts and Humanities course (a different prefix from what is chosen above) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element D - Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

ED 2600 - Introduction to Education Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI, IE, IW)
(this course is required for students pursing the Life/Earth Science concentration)

Element E - Natural Sciences: 8 Credit Hours

Students will select two Natural Science courses, from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. At least one course must contain a laboratory.

Required:

BIO 1120 - Cells and Genes Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 1120L - Cells & Genes Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
BIO 1150 - Organisms and Ecosystems Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 1150L - Organisms & Ecosystems Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

Additional Core Courses: 5 Credit Hours

Students will select up to 5 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major has required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

Required:

CHM 1210 - General Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 1210L - General Chemistry Lab I Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 1210R - General Chemistry Lab I Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0

Additional Core Requirements:

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

One Global Inquiry (GI) course

Two Inclusive Inquiry (IE) courses

One to two Integrated Writing (IW) courses. To meet degree requirements all students must complete a minimum of 3 IW courses by choosing either (a) 1 in the Core and 2 in the major or (b) 2 in the Core and 1 in the major. Students should check their major program requirements for courses that fulfill Integrated Writing.

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI, IE, and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36.

II. Major Core Requirements: 26 Credit Hours

BIO 1110 - Freshman Seminar Bio Sciences Credit Hour(s): 1
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 2310 - Evolution and Ecology Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 2310L - Evolution and Ecology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
CHM 1220 - General Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 1220L - General Chemistry Lab II Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 1220R - General Chemistry Lab II Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0
MTH 1280 - College Algebra Credit Hour(s): 4
PHY 1110 - Principles of Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4
PHY 1110L - Principles of Physics Lab I Credit Hour(s): 1
PHY 1110R - Principles of Physics I Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0

III. Major Requirements and Electives: 10 Credit Hours

Choose ten credit hours of 3000-4000 level BIO courses.

Within the ten required credit hours, choose at least one Capstone course from the following list:
BIO 3920 - Departmental Honors Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1
BIO 4020 - Current Literature in Biology Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
BIO 4110 - The Aquatic Environment Credit Hour(s): 5 (IW)
BIO 4110L - The Aquatic Environment Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
BIO 4240 - Disease Ecology and Evolution Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
BIO 4460 - Advanced Cell Biology Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
BIO 4730 - Marine Biology Credit Hour(s): 5
BIO 4800 - Conservation Biology Credit Hour(s): 3
BIO 4920 - Senior Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1
Up to 5 credit hours of Independent Study can be taken from the following list:
BIO 3990 - Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
BIO 4880 - Independent Writing Credit Hour(s): 1 (IW)
BIO 4900 - Biology Internship Credit Hour(s): 3 to 8
BIO 4950 - Senior Honors Research Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
BIO 4990 - Special Problems in Biology Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3

IV. Major Concentration Requirements: 31 Credit Hours

Students will choose either the General Life Science concentration or the Life/Earth Science Education concentration.

General Life Science Concentration: 31 Credit Hours

BIO 2140 - Introduction to Cell Biology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 2.5
BIO 2140R - Introduction to Cell Biology Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0
or
BIO 3140 - Molecular Biology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 3.5
BIO 3140R - Molecular Biology Laboratory Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0
Advanced Life Science Electives Credit Hour(s): 12.5-13.5
choose additional 3000/4000-level BIO or other Life Science courses from ANT, BMB, EES, PPH, CHM, MI, MLB, MTH, NEU, STT, PHY, PSY
Non-CoSM Electives Credit Hour(s): 15
choose courses from any department outside of the College of Science and Mathematics

Life/Earth Science Education Concentration: 31 Credit Hours

Required Courses: 15 Credit Hours

EES 2550 - Earth History Credit Hour(s): 4
EES 2550L - Earth History Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
EES 3250 - Climate Change Credit Hour(s): 3
PHY 1060 - Astronomy Credit Hour(s): 3
PHY 1060L - Astronomy Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 1
Select one of the following course/laboratory combinations:
EES 2510 - Earth Systems Credit Hour(s): 4
EES 2510L - Earth Systems Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
EES 3450 - Concepts in Earth Science I for Educators Credit Hour(s): 4

Education Core Courses: 11 Credit Hours

ED 2650 - Early Field Experience I: Introduction to the Education Profession Credit Hour(s): 1
ED 2700 - Introduction to Educational Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
ED 2750 - Early Field Experience II: Introduction to Educational Psychology Credit Hour(s): 1
ED 2800 - Cultural Humility for Working with Youth Credit Hour(s): 3
EDS 2900 - Individuals with Exceptionalities Credit Hour(s): 3

Non-CoSM Electives: 5 Credit Hours

Choose 5 credit hours from any department outside of the College of Science and Mathematics

V. General Electives: 17 Credit Hours

Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. If the total number of credit hours in the WSU Core (general education program) and the major requirements do not total at least 120 credits, students will choose additional courses (general electives) to meet the minimum required 120 credit hours. Students may choose from any undergraduate course in the Academic Catalog for which they meet the course prerequisites and for which they do not already have earned credit.

Students are encouraged to consider adding a minor, certificate, or microcredential.

Total: 120 Credit Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

A Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS), also known as a four-year guide, is an academic tool showing one example of how a program can be completed in a certain amount of time. All Wright State undergraduate majors can be completed in four years with careful planning. Some programs may require summer coursework. Time to degree is dependent on many factors including student placement in mathematics and writing courses, CCP and AP coursework, transfer coursework, and other variables.

These guides are valid for this year’s Academic Catalog only and is subject to change. This GPS is a recommendation only and your actual program may vary. Students should consult with their academic advisor on a regular basis and create a personalized plan to degree completion.