Stoffer Science Hall
Room 20l
(785) 231-1010 ext. 2077

All majors must take a 23-hour core consisting of Biology 102, 105, 110, 301, 333, one semester of 390 and one semester of the Biology capstone course 395/396. The BA degree with a Biology major requires at least 38 hours of Biology course work, including the 23-hour core and 12 hours of additional upper division courses. The BS degree requires a minimum of 44 hours in Biology, including the 23-hour core and 18 hours of additional upper division courses. The BS degree also requires a 30-hour minor to be chosen from the Natural Sciences, Mathematics, or Computer Information Science. This minor must be in departments other than the major, and with at least 20 hours in one department. Minors for the BS degree are limited to these courses: Chemistry 151 or above, Physics 261 or above, Mathematics 116 or above, Computer Science 110 or above. The following non-biology courses are required of all majors:

1. MA 140 or MA 142 or MA 151
2. One year of physics with lab (PS 261/262 or PS 281/282)
3. One year of general chemistry with lab (CH 151/152)
4. One semester of organic chemistry w/ lab (CH 340/342)

All majors must have a signed declaration of major form on record before taking upper division courses; however, it is recommended that the major be declared as early as possible. Each semester all majors must meet with a department advisor to plan the appropriate course work for the next semester. Qualified biology majors are eligible for the following scholarships: Joss, Aderhold, Millice, Shaw, Shawnee Sportsman, Shipley-Hocker, and Senior scholarships. Several awards may be made in each of these scholarship categories.

The Biology Major for Secondary Education Teachers
To receive departmental approval as having competency for certification in teaching biology at the secondary level, majors must complete a minimum of a BA or a BS in Biology as outlined above. The student must also take BI 310 as one of their upper division courses plus a course in anatomy, a course in physiology and CM 101.

Completion of the 23-hour core, other major requirements, and appropriate course work within the Department of Education in science teaching methods will satisfy the State competency requirements for certification in biology. See the Department of Biology and the Department of Education for details.
Students seeking certification to teach biology must be formally admitted to the University’s Professional Teacher Education Programs. For admission requirements, see EDUCATION.

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