Biological Sciences, BA

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:

College of Science and Mathematics Advising Center

106 Oelman Hall

(937) 775-3180

bioadvising@wright.edu

Department Chair: Dr. David Goldstein

Academic Advisors: Courtney Smith, Matt Skira, Sarah Cicora, Laura Bearhs

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

STT 2640 - Elementary Statistics Credit Hour(s): 4
or
STT 1600 - Statistical Concepts 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: 18 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 2140 - Introduction to Cell Biology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 2.5
BIO 2310 - Evolution and Ecology Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 3140 - Molecular Biology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 3.5

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 or
BIO 3920 - Departmental Honors Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1 (for honors)

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

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
15 hours in departments outside COSM and CECS.

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.