2025-2026 Academic Catalog 
    
    Dec 05, 2025  
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2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Biological Sciences, BS (BIOSCI-BS)

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CIP Code: 260101

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science curriculum offers a broad, integrated, and in-depth approach to the life sciences. This program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the fundamental principles of biology and emphasizes hands-on learning through laboratory courses and practical experience. The versatile B.S. degree in Biological Sciences opens opportunities for pursuing a diverse array of careers and graduate programs, while allowing for specialization in areas of interest. Concentrations for focusing one’s educational experience are available under this degree.

The Cell/Molecular Biology and Health Sciences concentration focuses on molecular and cellular processes that govern normal physiological and disease states of living organisms. This concentration prepares students for graduate programs and careers in basic and biomedical research. It also streamlines the process for students to complete the requirements for admission to medical school or other health professional schools.

The Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEOB) concentration focuses on interactions between organisms and their environment, how species evolve over time, and how organisms and organ systems function. The EEOB concentration prepares students for careers and graduate studies in conservation and management of biodiversity, wildlife, nature reserves, and other natural resources.

The Genetics concentration emphasizes gaining fundamental laboratory skills and knowledge in the areas of transmission, population, molecular, and environmental genetics. This concentration is specifically designed to prepare students to pursue graduate programs and careers in the growing field of genetics and genomics, including genetic counselor, clinical laboratory scientist, genetic engineer, forensic geneticist, etc.

The Biology Education concentration helps to prepare students to teach biology in Ohio public high schools. Upon completion they are eligible to enter the M.Ed graduate program in the College of Health, Education, and Human Services for licensure.

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 and how organisms interact with their biotic and abiotic environments.
  • Describe the chemical basis of life.
  • Apply physics to biological systems, such as thermodynamics and bioenergetics.
  • Use and interpret statistical analyses and graphical representations of data.
  • Formulate testable hypotheses that are based on prior knowledge.
  • Design experiments and collect data appropriate for testing hypotheses and drawing conclusions.
  • Read scientific literature and interpret figures, tables, and statistical data presented within.
  • Design and deliver oral presentations.
  • Communicate science in written lab reports, literature reviews, and scientific papers.
  • Apply biological concepts to real-world problems and discuss the ethical and societal implications of biological research.

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.
  • Integrate basic concepts in chemistry and physics with the foundations of biology.
  • Evaluate data using quantitative analysis and graphical representation.
  • Apply observational strategies, formulate testable hypotheses, and design experiments with appropriate controls and variables.
  • Communicate biological concepts and data interpretations to varied audiences orally and in writing.
  • Argue the ethical implications of biological understanding and discoveries.
  • If pursuing a concentration, demonstrate in-depth understanding of fundamental concepts of molecular and cell biology; evolution, ecology, and organismal biology; genetics; or education.

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 3.4 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.

Combined Undergraduate and Graduate Program

This program offers a combined-degree program with a master’s degree in Biological Sciences. A combined-degree program provides an opportunity for an undergraduate student to begin working toward a master’s degree in their senior year.  This allows students to complete the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in less combined time than it would take to complete them sequentially.   

Students enrolled in a combined-degree program may “double count” a maximum of nine credit hours of graduate-level courses to satisfy both the bachelor’s and the master’s degree requirements.  Students must earn at least 141 unique credit hours (any credits that “double-count” toward both degrees are counted only once toward the total number of unique hours) in the combined-degree program.   

To participate in a combined-degree program, students must apply through the College of Graduate Programs and Honors Studies and meet all admission qualifications.  Learn more about combined programs in Policy 5330.  

For More Information

Program Requirements

l. 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. 

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours

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

Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the required course below.  

Required: 

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. 

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. 

Students following the Biology Education concentration must take the following:

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: 

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.   

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 Excellence (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. Required Departmental Courses: 18 Credit Hours

III. Required Science & Math Courses: 29 Credit Hours

III. Major Concentration Requirements: 21 Credit Hours

Students will choose one of the following major concentrations:

Biological Sciences Concentration: 21 Credit Hours

 

At least one course must include a lab component from the list below: Credit Hours: 4 to 5

Cell/Molecular Biology & Health Sciences Concentration Requirements: 21 Credit Hours

Concentration Electives: 12 Credit Hours

 

Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology Concentration Requirements: 21 Credit Hours

Select a total of 21 credit hours from the following options. Include at least one course from each of the Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology cores and at least one senior capstone.

Ecology Core

Choose at least one course from:

Evolution Core

Choose at least one course from:

Organismal Biology Core

Choose at least one course from:

Senior Capstone

Choose at least one course from:

Related Courses

Optional - choose any from:

Notes:

  • Include at least one integrated writing (IW) course.
  • BIO 4240 may fulfill either the Ecology requirement or the Evolution requirement, but not both.
  • Capstone courses may fulfill multiple categories.
  • Additional courses with departmental approval.

Genetics Concentration Requirements: 21 Credit Hours

Choose 21 credits hours from the following approved options. Include at least one course with a lab component and one senior capstone.

Biology Education Concentration Requirements: 21 Credit Hours

Education Core

Biology Core

Choose at least 10 credit hours, including at least one course from each category, from:

Notes:

  • Include at least one integrated writing (IW) course.
  • Capstone courses may fulfill multiple categories.
  • Additional courses with departmental approval.

V. Advanced Life Science Electives: 9 Credit Hours

Choose 9 credit hours of additional 3000/4000-level BIO or other Life Science courses from ANT, BMB, EES, PPH, CHM, MI, MLB, MTH, NEU, STT, PHY, PSY.​​​​​​​

Laboratory Courses

At least one course must include a lab component unless two or more concentration courses with labs were chosen. Choose from:

Independent Study

Up to a total of 5 credit hours of Independent Study can be used (inclusive of any hours completed within the Concentration); choose from:

Vl. General Electives: 7 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.

Total: 120 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 are subject to change. These guides are 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. 

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