Biology Major B.BS.BIOL

The biology major is intended to give students an undergraduate education with an emphasis on several broad areas within the science of biology. It is strongly recommended that all Biology majors take Calculus, have one year of Physics, and minor in Chemistry. Computer science proficiency is highly recommended.

Required Core - 18 semester hours

BIOL 151 - General Biology I 3 to 4 semester hours
BIOL 151L - General Biology I Lab 0 to 1 semester hours
BIOL 153 - General Biology II 3 to 4 semester hours
BIOL 153L - General Biology II Lab 0 to 1 semester hours
BIOL 371 - Genetics 3 to 4 semester hours
BIOL 371L - Genetics Lab 0 to 1 semester hours
BIOL 373 - Evolution 2 to 3 semester hours
BIOL 373L - Evolution Lab 1 semester hours
BIOL 490 - Seminar 1 to 3 semester hours

Restricted Elective - 25 semester hours

Elective courses shall be taken from two emphases, with at least two courses from each emphasis. Students must take the corresponding lab if applicable.

Environmental Biology Emphasis

Must take BIOL 311 & 311L with this emphasis

BIOL 301 - Plant Systematics 3 to 4 semester hours
BIOL 301L - Plant Systematics Lab 0 to 1 semester hours
BIOL 302 - Animal Behavior 3 semester hours
BIOL 311 - Principles of Ecology 3 to 4 semester hours
BIOL 311L - Principles of Ecology Lab 0 to 1 semester hours
BIOL 321 - Conservation of Natural Resources 3 semester hours
BIOL 355 - Mammalogy 3 to 4 semester hours
BIOL 355L - Mammalogy Lab 0 to 1 semester hours
BIOL 357 - Invertebrate Zoology 3 to 4 semester hours
BIOL 357L - Invertebrate Zoology Lab 0 to 1 semester hours
BIOL 405 - Entomology 3 semester hours
BIOL 405L - Entomology Lab 0 semester hours
BIOL 415 - Mycology 2 to 3 semester hours
BIOL 415L - Mycology Lab 0 to 1 semester hours
BIOL 434 - Herpetology 3 semester hours
BIOL 434L - Herpetology Laboratory 1 semester hours
BIOL 437 - Biometry 3 semester hours
BIOL 461 - Agrostology 2 semester hours
BIOL 461L - Agrostology Laboratory 1 semester hours
BIOL 462 - Dendrology 3 semester hours
BIOL 462L - Dendrology Lab 1 semester hours
BIOL 463 - Ornithology 3 semester hours
BIOL 463L - Ornithology Lab 1 semester hours

Cellular/Physiology Emphasis

Must take BIOL 343 & 343L with this emphasis

BIOL 317 - Electron Microscopy 2 semester hours
BIOL 317L - Electron Microscopy Lab 1 semester hours
BIOL 325 - Physiology 3 to 4 semester hours
BIOL 325L - Physiology Lab 0 to 1 semester hours
BIOL 437 - Biometry 3 semester hours
BIOL 331 - Microbiology 3 to 4 semester hours
BIOL 331L - Microbiology Lab 0 to 1 semester hours
BIOL 343 - Cell and Molecular Biology 3 to 4 semester hours
BIOL 343L - Cell and Molecular Biology Lab 0 to 1 semester hours
BIOL 381 - Vertebrate Anatomy 3 semester hours
BIOL 381L - Vertebrate Anatomy Laboratory 1 semester hours
BIOL 422 - Immunology 3 to 4 semester hours
BIOL 430 - Neurobiology 3 semester hours
BIOL 430L - Neurobiology Lab 1 semester hours
BIOL 474 - Ecological Genomics 3 semester hours
BIOL 474L - Ecological Genomics Laboratory 1 semester hours

System Gen Ed Requirements (SGRs) - 30 semester hours

ENGL 101
ENGL 201
SPCM - Gen Ed - Speech (1 class) - 3 semester hours
MATH - Gen Ed - Mathematics (1 class) - 3 semester hours
Gen Ed - Social Science (2 classes from different subjects) - 6 semester hours
Gen Ed - Arts & Humanities (2 classes from different subjects or a foreign language sequence) - 6 semester hours
Gen Ed - Natural Sciences & Lab (2 classes/corresponding labs) - 6-8 semester hours

Minor and Electives required

A minor is required with this major plus electives to total 120 hours, of which 36 hours must be 300-400 level courses.

Spearfish

Rapid City

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