Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
Biology, Society, and Environment B.A.Geography, Environment, Society
College of Liberal Arts
Students in Biology, Society, and Environment (BSE) receive comprehensive training in biology combined with an in-depth examination of the relevance of biology to social and environmental problems. Students complete coursework in the biological sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 4 semester(s) of
any second language.
with a grade of C-, or better, or S, or demonstrate proficiency in the language(s) as defined by the department
or college.
The major curriculum includes courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Note: A course may only be counted once to satisfy the major requirements.
Beginning fall 2012, all incoming CLA freshman must complete the appropriate First Year Experience course sequence. Specific information about this collegiate requirement can be found at: http://class.umn.edu/degree_requirements/index.html
BSE 3001
BSE 2001 - An Introduction to Biology, Society, and Environment
(2.0 cr)
Core Courses
Students must take one course in two of three areas: Ethics, Scientific Thought and Inquiry, and Science in Society. No more than one course from any one area may count.
Take exactly 2 course(s) totaling 6 or more credit(s) including exactly 2 sub-requirements(s) from the following:
Ethics
Take no more than 1 course(s) from the following:
·
BTHX 5325 - Biomedical Ethics
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 3011W - Ethics in Natural Resources
[CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
HSCI 3401 - Ethics in Science and Technology
[HIS, CIV]
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3301 - Environmental Ethics
[ENV]
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3305 - Medical Ethics
(4.0 cr)
·
Scientific Thought and Inquiry
Take no more than 1 course(s) from the following:
·
PHIL 1005 - Scientific Reasoning
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3601W - Scientific Thought
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 4607 - Philosophy of the Biological Sciences
(3.0 cr)
·
Science in Society
Take no more than 1 course(s) from the following:
·
GEOG 3361W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
HMED 3040 - Human Health, Disease, and the Environment in History
[HIS]
(3.0 cr)
·
HMED 3075 - Technology and Medicine in Modern America
[HIS, TS]
(3.0 cr)
·
HSCI 3331 - Technology and American Culture
[HIS, TS]
(3.0 cr)
·
HSCI 3332 - Science in the Shaping of America
[HIS, DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3302W - Moral Problems of Contemporary Society
[CIV, WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3600 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
General Biology
Take a minimum of 7 credits by completing BIOL 1009 and one of the following: (1) one course from the multidisciplinary science sequence, or (2) the 2-course animal biology sequence, or (3) the 2-course plant biology sequence.
BIOL 1009 - General Biology
[BIOL]
(4.0 cr)
Multidisciplinary Science
ANTH 1001 - Human Evolution
[BIOL]
(4.0 cr)
or
BIOL 2012 {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
or
PMB 2022 - General Botany
(3.0 cr)
or
PHSL 3051 - Human Physiology
(4.0 cr)
or
VBS 2032 - General Microbiology With Laboratory
(5.0 cr)
Additional Science Requirements
Take eight courses for 22-23 credits.
BIOC 3021 - Biochemistry
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 2301 - Organic Chemistry I
(3.0 cr)
Chemistry I
CHEM 1061 - Chemical Principles I
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1065 - Chemical Principles I Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
or
CHEM 1071H - Honors Chemistry I
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1075H - Honors Chemistry I Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
Chemistry II
CHEM 1062 - Chemical Principles II
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1066 - Chemical Principles II Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
or
CHEM 1072H - Honors Chemistry II
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1076H - Honors Chemistry II Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
Physics
PHYS 1201W {Inactive}
[PHYS, WI]
(5.0 cr)
or
PHYS 1401V - Honors Physics I
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
Biology Concentration (Major Courses)
Take two courses from the upper-division biology core list and take two additional upper-level courses in biology, anthropology, geography, chemistry, or other discipline chosen in consultation with an adviser. Courses for the biology concentration should have a biology orientation and should fit with the intended theme. A total of 14 credits must be completed. Note: Many pre-health science programs require Organic Chemistry II and lab.
Upper-Division Biology Concentration
Take 2 or more course(s) from the following:
·
GCD 3033 - Principles of Cell Biology
(3.0 cr)
·
Ecology
·
BIOL 3407 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
BIOL 3408W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
EEB 3807 - Ecology
(4.0 cr)
Sample Concentration Electives
Take 2 or more course(s) from the following:
·
ANAT 3001 - Human Anatomy
(3.0 cr)
·
ANTH 3310 - Topics in Biological and Physical Anthropology
(3.0 cr)
·
BIOL 3409 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CHEM 2302 - Organic Chemistry II
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 4609W - Ecosystem Ecology
[ENV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
GCD 3033 - Principles of Cell Biology
(3.0 cr)
·
GCD 4143 - Human Genetics and Genomics
(3.0 cr)
·
GEOG 3401W - Geography of Environmental Systems and Global Change
[ENV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
MICB 3301 - Biology of Microorganisms
(5.0 cr)
·
PHSL 3051 - Human Physiology
(4.0 cr)
·
Ecology
·
BIOL 3407 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
BIOL 3408W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Theme Requirements
Take five courses from the list below or substitute courses in consultation with a BSE adviser. Courses should serve to put "science into context" and should focus on a theme.
Some examples of thematic concentrations might be ethics, economics, and the politics of health care; the global environment; biology and the U.S. government; communicating biology to the public.
Take 5 or more course(s) totaling 15 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
ANTH 3306W - Medical Anthropology
[GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
GEOG 3379 - Environment and Development in the Third World
[SOCS, ENV]
(3.0 cr)
·
GEOG 3381W - Population in an Interacting World
[SOCS, GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
GEOG 3411W - Geography of Health and Health Care
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
GEOG 4121W {Inactive}
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
GLOS 3305 - Science for Sale: Environment, Capital, and Medicine
(3.0 cr)
·
HMED 3040 - Human Health, Disease, and the Environment in History
[HIS]
(3.0 cr)
·
HMED 3075 - Technology and Medicine in Modern America
[HIS, TS]
(3.0 cr)
·
HMED 5002 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
HSCI 3211 - Biology and Culture in the 19th and 20th Centuries
[HIS, CIV]
(3.0 cr)
·
HSCI 3244 - Nature's History: Science, Humans, and the Environment
[HIS, ENV]
(3.0 cr)
·
HSCI 3331 - Technology and American Culture
[HIS, TS]
(3.0 cr)
·
HSCI 3332 - Science in the Shaping of America
[HIS, DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
·
HSCI 3333V {Inactive}
[HIS, CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
HSCI 3401 - Ethics in Science and Technology
[HIS, CIV]
(3.0 cr)
·
HSCI 4060 - Special Topics in History of Technology
(3.0 cr)
·
JOUR 3745 - Media and Popular Culture
[AH, DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3301 - Environmental Ethics
[ENV]
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3302W - Moral Problems of Contemporary Society
[CIV, WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3304 - Law and Morality
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3305 - Medical Ethics
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3601W - Scientific Thought
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3600 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3607 - Philosophy of Psychology
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 4607 - Philosophy of the Biological Sciences
(3.0 cr)
·
PSY 5137 - Introduction to Behavioral Genetics
(3.0 cr)
·
PUBH 3004 {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
·
STAT 3011 - Introduction to Statistical Analysis
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
·
URBS 3751 - Understanding the Urban Environment
[ENV]
(3.0 cr)
·
WRIT 3152W - Writing on Issues of Science and Technology
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
HMED 3001V {Inactive}
[HIS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
HMED 3001W - Health, Disease, and Healing I
[HIS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
HMED 5200 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
HMED 3002W - Health Care in History II
[HIS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
HMED 5201 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
HMED 3055 - Women, Health, and History
[HIS, DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
or
HMED 5055 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
PSY 3604 - Introduction to Psychopathology
(3.0 cr)
·
PSY 3061 - Introduction to Biological Psychology
(3.0 cr)
Senior Project
In most cases, students complete the senior project one semester prior to graduating. Students are strongly advised to begin planning their senior project with potential faculty mentors and/or the departmental adviser at least two semesters prior to registering for academic credit. Note that most options require prior approval by the potential faculty mentor and some options may be limited during any specific semester.
Option 1
Register for 3-4 credits of directed research. Honors students should register for the honors section, BSE 3996H.
BSE 3996 {Inactive}
(3.0-4.0 cr)
or
BSE 3996H {Inactive}
(3.0-4.0 cr)
or
Option 2
Register for 2 additional credits of BSE 3997/3997H. Note that enrollment in BSE 3997/3997H requires concurrent registration in a "Core Courses" or "Theme Courses" course related to chosen area of specialization. Honors students should register for the honors section, BSE 3997H.
BSE 3997 {Inactive}
(2.0 cr)
or
BSE 3997H {Inactive}
(2.0 cr)
or
Option 3
Register for 3-4 credits in a senior seminar course. Honors students should register for the honors section, GEOG 3985V.
GEOG 3985W {Inactive}
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
GEOG 3985V {Inactive}
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
HMED 4965W - Senior Research in Medical History
(3.0 cr)
Program Sub-plans
A sub-plan is not required for this program.
Honors UHP
This is an honors sub-plan.
Students admitted to the University Honors Program (UHP) must fulfill UHP requirements, in addition to degree program requirements. For any course required in a degree program, UHP students must register for the honors version if one is offered. Honors courses used to fulfill degree program requirements will also fulfill UHP requirements.
|
|
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | BSE 2001/BSE 2001H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Bthx 5325/Phil 5325 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | HSci 3401/5401 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 1005/Phil 1005H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 4607/Phil 5607 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | HSci 3331/5331 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | HSci 3332/5332 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 3302W/Phil 3322W |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 1009/Biol 1009H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phsl 3050/Phsl 3051 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 2032/MicB 3301/VBS 2032 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 2005/Biol 2012/Biol 3012 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AnSc 3301/AnSc 3303W/Biol 3211 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | BioC 3021/BioC 3022/BioC 4331/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 2301/Chem 2331H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1061/ 1071/H/ 1081 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1065/Chem 1075H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1061/ 1071/H/ 1081 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1065/Chem 1075H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1062/1072/1072H/1082/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1066/Chem 1076H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1062/1072/1072H/1082/ |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1066/Chem 1076H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1271/1281/1371/1471/1571H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1271/1281/1371/1471/1571H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1201W/1301W/1401V/1501V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 4003/GCD 3022 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 4003/GCD 3022 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EEB3001/3407/3408W/5407 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Anat 3001/Anat 3611/Anat 3601 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 2302/Chem 2332HChem 2304 |
Prerequisites: | Grade of at least C- in 2301 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Geog 3401W/5401W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 2032/MicB 3301/VBS 2032 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phsl 3050/Phsl 3051 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 2311/Chem 2312H/2312 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 2311/Chem 2312H/2312 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 4003/GCD 3022 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 4003/GCD 3022 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Geog 3379/GloS 3303 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Geog 3381W/GLOS 3701W |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | HSci 3211/5211 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | HSci 3244/5244 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | HSci 3331/5331 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | HSci 3332/5332 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | HSci 3401/5401 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 3302W/Phil 3322W |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 4607/Phil 5607 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AnSc 3011/ESPM 3012/Stat 3011/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | HMED 3001W/HMED 3001V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Madr 3604/Psy 3604/Psy 5604 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Psy 3061/5061/Madr 3018 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Psy 3135/Psy 5135 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Psy 3135/Psy 5135 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |