Biology Majors & Minors

Biology Majors

The following courses are required for the biology major, however the hours earned are not included in the number of hours required for the major itself. In comparing the BA to the BS in any of the specialization areas of the biology major, the differences lie in the required prerequisite courses. 

Click here to see the entire major sample plan.

Major Requirements

General Education Requirements (32-39 credit hours)

GE Launch Seminar (1)

  • Foundations: Writing and Information Literacy (3)
  • Foundations: Mathematics & Quant. Reasoning (3-5)
  • Foundations: Literacy, Visual & performing Arts (3)
  • Foundations: Historical & Cultural Studies (3)
  • Foundations: Natural Sciences (4-5)
  • Foundations: Social & Behavioral Sciences (3)
  • Foundations: Race, Ethnicity and Gender Diversity (3)
  • Theme: Citizenship for a Diverse & Just World (4-6)
  • Theme: Student Choice (4-6)
  • World Language (0-12)
  • GE Reflection (1)

 Ars & Sciences Requirements (1-13 Credit Hours)

  • Arts & Sciences Survey (1)
  • World Language (0-12)

Biology Minors

Academic minors can enhance professional employment opportunities and provide students with an additional area of focus. Biology majors may especially benefit from an evolution and ecology, or natural resources minor. Minors require a reduced set of core courses from their respective department’s major requirements and may necessitate that some classes be taken on the Columbus campus.

The Evolution and Ecology Minor

The study of evolution seeks to understand the processes that lead to the diversity of life on Earth. Ecology studies the consequences of interactions between organisms and their environment, and among different species. Within the Evolution and Ecology minor, students can explore such topics as molecular evolution, the role of the environment in the distribution and abundance of species, the evolution of animal behavior, the genetics of populations, species identification, and relatedness among species. Contact: The Academic Advising Office at (740) 725-6334.

The Environmental Science Minor

The environmental science minor introduces students to the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. The environmental science minor will be useful to students majoring in pure and applied physical sciences including agricultural sciences, earth sciences, biological sciences, and providing a complement to social science programs.

Students should consult with their academic advisors when planning their schedules. The Academic Advising Office can be reached at (740) 725-6334.