Biological Sciences B.S. – Cell and Molecular Biology Emphasis
College of Natural and Health Sciences
Contact: Susan M. Keenan, Ph.D., School Director
Location: Ross Hall 2480
Telephone: 970.351.2921
Website: www.unco.edu/nhs/biology
Advising Information:
Students must consult with their assigned major advisor each semester prior to registering.
Assigned advisor is available through the Ursa login; ursa.unco.edu; under Student tab Academic Profile channel and is term specific. If no advisor is listed, contact the major program for advisor information.
The program consists of three parts:
- Liberal Arts Core (LAC) Credits
- Required Major Credits
- University-Wide Credits
Program Description:
This program places emphasis on a thorough understanding of the biological principles underlying all living systems through study of the basic unit of life, the cell. Undergraduates entering this program should have a strong science and mathematics background in high school or be prepared to do additional remedial work.
Students successfully completing this program will be prepared to choose from a widely varied range of careers in the basic or applied biological sciences such as public health, the pharmaceutical industry, cancer research, biodiversity research, forensic biology, animal and plant agricultural sciences, and many others.
Students will also be prepared to continue their education in graduate biological sciences programs (microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, physiology, endocrinology, immunology, developmental biology, etc.) and in most professional schools (medical, veterinary, etc.). This program encompasses a minor in chemistry.
Program Admission Requirements:
Academic Good Standing
Program Requirements:
- The State of Colorado has mandated that institutions of higher education assess student outcomes resulting from their college education. The School of Biological Sciences requires that all undergraduate students entering under this Catalog meet the following conditions in addition to meeting the graduation requirements of the University:
- In the senior year of study all undergraduates will take the Educational Testing Service's nationally standardized exam in Biology.
- All Biology majors are required to earn a minimum of a 2.0 grade in all BIO prefix courses taken to meet their major requirements. Students receiving a grade of less than 2.0 in BIO courses taken to meet their major requirements must repeat the courses.
Degree Requirements — 120 Credits
Degree Requirements
1. Required Specified LAC — 24 credits
LAC area 1.b. — Intermediate Composition
LAC area 2 — Mathematics
| MATH 171 | Calculus I for Life Sciences | 4 |
| STAT 150 | Introduction to Statistical Analysis | 3 |
LAC area 6 — Physical and Life Sciences
Remaining LAC — 16 credits
See “Liberal Arts Core ”.
NOTE: Students need to select courses from areas 7 and 8 that also count for areas 3, 4, or 5.
2. Required Major — 71 credits
Take all of the following courses:
Physiology
Choose one of the following courses:
| BIO 350 | Human Physiology | 4 |
| BIO 354 | General Plant Physiology | 4 |
| | OR, complete both | |
| BIO 552 | Mammalian Physiology I | 3 |
| | and | |
| BIO 553 | Mammalian Physiology II | 3 |
Biological Science Advanced Study
Choose 13 credits from BIO-prefix courses at the 300 level or higher. Please see course listings in the graduate catalog for additional course options (must be a junior with a minimum 3.0 GPA to take graduate level courses). Consult with faculty advisor to match career goals.
NOTE: If CHEM 381 is completed in lieu of CHEM 481, the number of Advanced Study credits required will be reduced by (1). If BIO 552 and BIO 553 are completed for the Physiology requirement, the number of Advanced Study credits required will be reduced by (2).
A maximum of 3 credits total of BIO 422, BIO 492, BIO 494, BIO 495, BIO 585 and BIO 592 can count towards the fulfillment of this category.
Capstone Professional Experience
Take one credit (chosen in consultation with faculty advisor to help match career goals) from:
| BIO 422 | Directed Studies | 1 - 3 |
| BIO 492 | Internship in Biological Sciences | 1 - 3 |
| BIO 494 | Practicum in College Biological Science Instruction | 1 - 2 |
| BIO 495 | Special Topics in Biology | 1 - 3 |
3. University-Wide Credits — 9 credits
Complete additional credits to achieve the minimum credits needed for this degree at UNC; for this degree, that will typically be 9 credits.