Bachelor of Arts in Biology Degree
The opportunities for students trained in biology have grown dramatically as there is an increasing demand for those who are educated in natural sciences. Through training in biology students learn to apply scientific methods, test hypotheses and develop laboratory skills. Critical thinking to evaluate scientific results through statistical analysis, scientific writing and oral presentation are basic skills developed by students who are biology majors.The Science Department offers B.A. and B.S. degrees in biology. These degrees provide the background necessary for a variety of careers, including graduate and professional schools. A biology or chemistry major is recommended for those who are seeking entry into medical/veterinary/dental/nursing/graduate schools.
Students who have completed a degree in biology at Columbia College will:
- Understand scientific vocabulary and knowledge.
- Understand biological principles, models and theories used to predict, understand and apply to biological phenomena.
- Understand the scientific method and its application.
- Demonstrate proficiency in laboratory skills; including familiarity with the use of instrumentation and analytic methods commonly used in biological research.
- Evaluate scientific results through the use of statistical analyses and critical thinking.
- Demonstrate competence in scientific writing, oral presentation and familiarity with the use of scientific literature.
- Demonstrate knowledge regarding ethics in science and everyday life.
Department:
Degree Requirements:
| A. | General Education Requirements | 38-41 sem. hrs | ||
| Ethics Course Requirement | 3 hrs | |||
| ENVS 332 |  | (PHIL 332) Environmental Ethics or | ||
| PHIL 460 | | Biomedical Ethics or | ||
| PHIL 330 | | Ethics | ||
| B. | Foreign Language Requirement | 6 sem. hrs | ||
| C. | Multicultural Requirement | 3 sem. hrs | ||
| D. | Core Requirements | 34-39 sem. hrs | ||
| (All courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Courses in the major cannot be taken as Pass/Fail.) | ||||
| BIOL 110 | | Principles of Biology I | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 110L | | Principles of Biology I Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| BIOL 112 | | Principles of Biology II | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 112L | | Principles of Biology II Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| BIOL 290 | | Principles of Cell Biology | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 290L | | Principles of Cell Biology Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| BIOL 324 | | (PSYC/SOCI 324) Statistics for the Behavioral and Natural Sciences | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 342 | | Genetics | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 342L | | Genetics Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| BIOL 395 | | (CHEM 395) (ENVS 395) Research Design in the Sciences | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 490 | | Senior Seminar | 3 hrs | |
| CHEM 109 | | Chemistry for Biological and Health-Related Sciences and | 3 hrs | |
| CHEM 111L | | Introductory Chemistry Laboratory Experience or | 2 hrs | |
| CHEM 110 | | Chemistry 1 and | 3 hrs | |
| CHEM 111L | | Introductory Chemistry Laboratory Experience | 2 hrs | |
| CHEM 112 | | Chemistry II and | 3 hrs | |
| CHEM 112L | | Chemistry II Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| E. | Biology Electives | 21 sem. hrs | ||
| (All courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher.) Twenty-one semester hours of courses with a BIOL prefix and above the 110-level. Nine of these hours must be in upper-level courses. A maximum of three of these hours may be obtained from internships (BIOL 399/499). | ||||
| F. | Electives | 10-18 sem. hrs | ||
| 120 sem. hrs | ||||
| G. | Culminating Experience: All students must complete BIOL 490 Senior Seminar with a grade of C or higher. | |||
Locations
The Bachelor of Arts in Biology degree is available at the following locations:| Main Campus, Day Program |
| Main Campus, Evening Program |