Sep 19, 2024  
BVU Academic Catalog 2024-2025 
    
BVU Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Biology Major (B.S.)

Location(s): Storm Lake


Biology is a science that considers the processes of life at the molecular, cellular, organismal, ecological and evolutionary levels. Biology majors learn fundamental concepts within each of these areas in a required year-long survey of biological principles. Subsequently, students select advanced classes based in the foundational areas of biology: cell biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, and organismal biology. To ensure depth in biology, students will select a minimum of three 300 level courses. To equip themselves for the lives that they will lead as biologists, students complete 12 credits of support work in the areas of chemistry, physics and/or mathematics. In addition to learning through coursework, students are required to complete an internship and a capstone that is either research or journal club based. All students complete Areas 1-6 comprising the biology major core and complete one biology major track: General Biology, Field Biology, Pre-Vet, or Forensic Science.

Area 3: Organismal Biology


4 credits from:

Area 4: Ecology


3-4 credits from:

Area 5: Molecular Biology


4 credits from:

Area 6: Capstone Experience


2 credits from:

34-35 credit hours


Biology General Track: 13 credit hours


Distributional course selection: choose from the remaining Biology or Biochemistry coursework.

Students must take 9 credits at the 300 level or higher. Biology courses numbered, 202, 303, and 405 do not count toward the major. Students may take up 2 credits from 206, 207, 400, 495, 498 above the requirements of area six to reach 13 credits.

Field Biology Track: 53-54 credits


This track is designed to prepare students for work in fields like wildlife biology, field biology, conservation, and natural resources and to work for government agencies like the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Fish and Wildlife.

Biology Major Core (34-35 credit hours)

Take 19 credits from the following courses:

Pre-Vet Track: 56-57 credits


This track is designed to prepare students to apply for veterinary schools.

Biology Major Core (35 credit hours)
Note: students must take CHEM 261  for their Area 2 requirement, BIOL 210  for their Area 3 requirement, and BIOL 260  for their Area 5 requirement.

In addition, students should take MATH 140  to fulfill their quantitative reasoning general education requirement. Students are also encouraged to take CHEM 262 , MATH 210 , and PHYS 202  or PHYS 212 .

 

Forensic Science Track: 58 credit hours


Designed for students interested in careers in forensic science or other lab science industries.


Students on this track will not complete all areas of the biology core. Courses for this track are listed below.