2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived]

Biology Major


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs by Department

(67-68 credits)

Degree Map

Learning Outcomes  

The biology major trains students in the fundamental concepts and laboratory techniques of the biological sciences across a wide range of areas of emphasis; these, in turn, allow students to pursue a wide range of careers. Biology majors also receive practical training in field and laboratory biology, which also prepares them for academic, industrial, and governmental careers.

Biology Core (24 credits):


Electives:


A minimum of 16 credit hours beyond the core curriculum selected from the following or the appropriate emphasis:

Note:


Biology 415 is an acceptable elective only for departmental majors pursuing a science education curriculum. Four credit hours of Biology 492 may also be used to fill the elective requirement.

A portion of the 16 hours of elective credit required of Biology majors beyond the core curriculum may be composed of courses from cognate areas, subject to the approval of the student’s advisor and in agreement with the department chairpersons. This excludes cognate courses that are prerequisite for courses in the Department of Biology.

Cell and Molecular Biology Emphasis:


Cell Biology or Cellular Development and Cell and Tissue Culture, and Immunology, plus additional electives from the following:

Microbiology Emphasis:


Specific courses selected to fulfill the interests and employment opportunities of the student. A possible program might include Bacteriology, Immunology, Virology, Parasitology, and Recombinant DNA. Additional microbiology electives include:

Note:


A chemistry minor including 7 credit hours of biochemistry (Chemistry 431, 431L, 432) is strongly recommended.

Organismal and Conservation Biology Emphasis:


Advanced Ecology, Evolution, Plant Taxonomyor Vertebrate Zoology plus electives (8 hours) selected from the following:

Physiology Emphasis:


A possible program could include Vertebrate Physiology or Plant Physiology; Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy or Plant Anatomy; and additional electives from the following list:

Plant Biology Emphasis:


Specific courses are selected to fulfill the interests and employment opportunities of the students. A possible program selected from the following list might include Plant Taxonomy, (Plant Physiology, with laboratory, Plant Anatomy, Virology, and Cell and Tissue Culture with laboratory.

Note:


A chemistry minor including 7 credits of biochemistry (Chemistry 431, 431L, 432) is strongly recommended for some students.

Notes:


A chemistry minor or other science minor is recommended to accompany a biology major. Students planning to enter medical school should select Biology 461—3 credits. It is recommended that these students consider for inclusion in their course work the following: a chemistry minor, a foreign language, humanities electives, and Psychology 101—3 credits.

Because some physical science courses are prerequisites for the required courses in the biology degree program, a biology major can complete a chemistry minor with a minimum of 7 additional credit hours.

Degree Map


This program has the following minimum GPA requirements: 2.00 overall GPA; 2.20 in all Major required course work.

Fall 1st Year


Fall 2nd Year


Fall 3rd Year


Spring 3rd Year


Fall 4th Year


  • Major Elective | Credits/Units 3
  • Major Elective | Credits/Units 4
  • Foundational Studies:   UDIE | Credits/Units 3
  • Elective | Credits/Units 3
  • Elective | Credits/Units 2

    15 Credits

Spring 4th Year


   12 Credits

For more information on 15 to Finish please visit https://learnmoreindiana.org/college/succeeding-incollege/graduating-on-time/

 

Indiana State University’s priority date for filing the FAFSA is April 15. Students must earn 30 credit hours each academic year in order to maximize financial aid from the state of Indiana. Details about how to apply for financial aid, eligibility criteria, and awarding rules are available online at https://www.indstate.edu/financial-aid/apply. Students may view their specific financial file by logging into the MyISU Portal at https://www.portal.indstate.edu

 

Program Description and Career Resources: https://www.indstate.edu/academics/undergraduate/majors/biology 

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs by Department