Major Requirements
The major requires 47 hours of core courses, including:
Senior Research, 3 hours, at the senior level (choose from BIOL 480, 493, 495, 498 and 499) and 25 hours of a concentation.
Concentration:
Concentration (25 hours) selected from one of the following:
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Electives
May include two non-biology courses:
- Two electives from the Ecology and Evolution set
- One elective from the Organismal Biology set
- One elective from the Cell and Molecular Biology set
- One elective from either the Conservation Biology or Biotechnology set
Electives
At least one elective from each set (Cell and Molecular Biology, Organismal Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Biotechnology, and Conservation Biology) for a total of 25 hours (may include two non-biology courses).
Electives
May include two non-biology courses:
- Two electives from the Cell and Molecular Biology set
- One elective from the Biotechnology set
- Two electives from two of the following three sets:
- Organismal Biology
- Ecology and Evoluationary Biology, or
- Conservation Biology
Electives
May include two non-biology courses:
- One elective from the Cell and Molecular Biology set
- One elective from the Biotechnology set
- Two electives from the Organismal Biology set
- One elective from either the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, or Conservation Biology set
General Electives
General electives (6 hours) at the 300/400 level) are required to complete the program.
Cell and Molecular Biology
May select from:or may also select from the following:
Additional Information
Students must take at least 32 hours of the courses at the junior-senior level at WCU in order to satisfy general university degree requirements.
Curriculum Guide for Biology (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Concentration) B.S.
Fall Semester (Hours 15)
- 190 Series First Year Seminar Credits: (3)
- C2 MATH Credits: (3)
- C5 Physical and Biological Sciences Credits: (3)
- P3 History Credits: (3)
- JS 101 Jumpstart Credits: (0)
Spring Semester (Hours 16)
- C4 Wellness Credits: (3)
- C5 Physical and Biological Sciences Credits: (3)
- P1 Social Sciences Credits: (3)
Spring Semester (Hours 14)
- P4 Humanities Credits: (3)
Fall Semester (Hours 16)
- BIOL Jr/Sr Elective Credits: (3)
- P5 Fine & Performing Arts Credits: (3)
- P6 World Culture Credits: (3)
Spring Semester (Hours 16)
- BIOL Jr-Sr Elective Credits: (3)
Graduation Fee
After earning ninety hours, the student must file an application form with the Dean after paying a $30 graduation fee to the University Cashier.
Fall Semester (Hours 15)
- BIOL Jr-Sr Elective Credits: (3)
- BIOL Jr-Sr Elective Credits: (3)
- BIOL Senior Research Credits: (3)
- P1 Social Sciences Credits: (3)
Spring Semester (Hours 13)
- BIOL Jr-Sr Elective Credits: (3)
- Jr-Sr General Elective Credits: (6)
Total Hours for Degree: 120
Additional Information
1. Total hours of prerequisites: 23 hours.
2. Prerequisite for BIOL 141 is BIOL 140.
3. Prerequisites for BIOL 240 are BIOL 140 and BIOL 141.
4. Prerequisite for PHYS 131 is PHYS 130.
5. One perspective course must be an upper level perspective course (300/400 level).
6. Prerequisites for BIOL 241 are BIOL 140, 141, and 240.
7. Prerequisites for Jr.-Sr. Biology courses are all or some of the core: BIOL 140, 141, 240, and 241.
8. Prerequisite for CHEM 241 is CHEM 140.
9. Prerequisite for CHEM 242 and CHEM 272 is CHEM 241.
There is a great diversity of Junior/Senior level courses in Biology, which are either 3 or 4 credit hour courses. Students will need a total of 25 to 30 hours in these courses to satisfy the degree requirements, depending upon which electives they select (i.e., how many lab courses are chosen). Students may finish earlier if they attend summer school at WCU or another approved institution. Remember: 32 hours of 300-400 level courses must be taken at WCU in order to satisfy the general university degree requirements.
Curriculum Guide for Biology (General Biology Concentration) B.S. Degree
Fall Semester (Hours 15)
- 190 Series First Year Seminar Credits: (3)
- C2 Mathematics Credits:
- C5 Physical and Biological Sciences Credits: (3)
- P3 History Credits: (3)
- JS 101 Jumpstart Credits: (0)
Spring Semester (Hours 16)
- C4 Wellness Credits: (3)
- C5 Physical and Biological Sciences Credits: (3)
- P1 Social Sciences Credits: (3)
Spring Semester (Hours 14)
- P4 Humanities Credits: (3)
- P5 Fine & Performing Arts Credits: (3)
Fall Semester (Hours 16)
- P1 Social Sciences Credits: (3)
- P6 World Culture Credits: (3)
- BIOL Jr-Sr Elective Credits: (3)
Spring Semester (Hours 16)
- BIOL Jr-Sr Electives Credits: (6)
Graduation Fee
After earning ninety hours, the student must file an application form with the Dean after paying a $30 graduation fee to the University Cashier.
Fall Semester (Hours 15)
- BIOL Jr-Sr Electives Credits: (6)
- BIOL Senior Research Credits: (3)
- Jr-Sr. General Elective Credits: (3)
Spring Semester (Hours 13)
- BIOL Jr-Sr Electives Credits: (10)
- Jr-Sr General Elective Credits: (3)
Total Hours for Degree: 120
Additional Information
1. Total hours of prerequisites: 23 hours.
2. Prerequisite for BIOL 141 is BIOL 140.
3. Prerequisites for BIOL 240 are BIOL 140 and BIOL 141.
4. Prerequisite for PHYS 131 is PHYS 130.
5. One perspective course must be an upper level perspective course (300/400 level).
6. Prerequisites for BIOL 241 are BIOL 140, 141, and 240.
7. Prerequisites for Jr.-Sr. Biology courses are all or some of the core: BIOL 140, 141, 240, and 241.
8. Prerequisite for CHEM 241 is CHEM 140.
9. Prerequisite for CHEM 242 and CHEM 272 is CHEM 241.
There is a great diversity of Junior/Senior level courses in Biology, which are either 3 or 4 credit hour courses. Students will need a total of 25 to 30 hours in these courses to satisfy the degree requirements, depending upon which electives they select (i.e., how many lab courses are chosen). Students may finish earlier if they attend summer school at WCU or another approved institution. Remember: 32 hours of 300-400 level courses must be taken at WCU in order to satisfy the general university degree requirements.
Curriculum Guide for Biology (Molecular Biology Concentration) B.S.
Fall Semester (Hours 15)
- 190 Series First Year Seminar Credits: (3)
- C2 Mathematics Credits: (3)
- C5 Physical and Biological Sciences Credits: (3)
- P3 History Credits: (3)
- JS 101 Jumpstart Credits: (0)
Spring Semester (Hours 16)
- C4 Wellness Credits: (3)
- C5 Physical and Biological Sciences Credits: (3)
- P1 Social Sciences Credits: (3)
Spring Semester (Hours 14)
- P4 Humanities Credits: (3)
- P5 Fine and Performing Arts Credits: (3)
Fall Semester (Hours 15)
- BIOL Jr-Sr Elective Credits: (3)
Spring Semester (Hours 15)
- BIOL Jr-Sr Elective Credits: (3)
- Jr-Sr General Elective Credits: (3)
Graduation Fee
After earning ninety hours, the student must file an application form with the Dean after paying a $30 graduation fee to the University Cashier.
Fall Semester (Hours 15)
- BIOL Jr-Sr Elective Credits: (3)
- BIOL Senior Research Credits: (3)
- P1 Social Sciences Credits: (3)
Spring Semester (Hours 15)
- BIOL Jr-Sr Elective Credits: (6)
- Jr-Sr General Elective Credits: (3)
- P6 World Cultures Credits: (3)
Total Hours for Degree: 120
Additional Information
1. Total hours of prerequisites: 27 hours.
2. Prerequisite for BIOL 141 is BIOL 140.
3. Prerequisites for BIOL 240 are BIOL 140 and BIOL 141.
4. Prerequisite for PHYS 131 is PHYS 130.
5. One perspective course must be an upper level perspective course (300/400 level).
6. Prerequisites for BIOL 241 are BIOL 140, 141, and 240.
7. Prerequisites for Jr.-Sr. Biology courses are all or some of the core: BIOL 140, 141, 240, and 241.
8. Prerequisite for CHEM 241 is CHEM 140.
9. Prerequisite for CHEM 242 and CHEM 272 is CHEM 241.
10. Prerequisite for BIOL 421 is BIOL 333.
There is a great diversity of Junior/Senior level courses in Biology, which are either 3 or 4 credit hour courses. Students will need a total of 25 to 30 hours in these courses to satisfy the degree requirements, depending upon which electives they select (i.e., how many lab courses are chosen). Students may finish earlier if they attend summer school at WCU or another approved institution. Remember: 32 hours of 300-400 level courses must be taken at WCU in order to satisfy the general university degree requirements.
Curriculum Guide for Biology (Pre-Health Professional Concentration) B.S.
Fall Semester (Hours 15)
- 190 Series First Year Seminar Credits: (3)
- C2 Mathematics Credits: (3)
- C5 Physical and Biological Sciences Credits: (3)
- JS 101 Jumpstart Credits: (0)
- P3 History Credits: (3)
Spring Semester (Hours 16)
- C4 Wellness Credits: (3)
- C5 Physical and Biological Sciences Credits: (3)
- P1 Social Sciences Credits: (3)
Spring Semester (Hours 14)
- P4 Humanities Credits: (3)
- P5 Fine & Performing Arts Credits: (3)
Spring Semester (Hours 15)
- BIOL Jr-Sr General Elective Credits: (3)
Graduation Fee
After earning ninety hours, the student must file an application form with the Dean after paying a $30 graduation fee to the University Cashier.
Fall Semester (Hours 15)
- BIOL Jr-Sr Elective Credits: (6)
- BIOL Senior Research Credits: (3)
- P1 Social Sciences Credits: (3)
Spring Semester (Hours 15)
- BIOL Jr-Sr Elective Credits: (6)
- Jr-Sr General Elective Credits: (6)
- P6 World Cultures Credits: (3)
Total Hours for Degree: 120
Additional Information
1. Total hours of prerequisites: 27 hours.
2. Prerequisite for BIOL 141 is BIOL 140.
3. Prerequisites for BIOL 240 are BIOL 140 and BIOL 141.
4. Prerequisite for PHYS 131 is PHYS 130.
5. One perspective course must be an upper level perspective course (300/400 level).
6. Prerequisites for BIOL 241 are BIOL 140, 141, and 240.
7. Prerequisites for Jr.-Sr. Biology courses are all or some of the core: BIOL 140, 141, 240, and 241.
8. Prerequisite for CHEM 241 is CHEM 140.
9. Prerequisite for CHEM 242 and CHEM 272 is CHEM 241.
10. Prerequisite for BIOL 311 is CHEM 140.
There is a great diversity of Junior/Senior level courses in Biology, which are either 3 or 4 credit hour courses. Students will need a total of 25 to 30 hours in these courses to satisfy the degree requirements, depending upon which electives they select (i.e., how many lab courses are chosen). Students may finish earlier if they attend summer school at WCU or another approved institution. Remember: 32 hours of 300-400 level courses must be taken at WCU in order to satisfy the general university degree requirements.
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