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Duluth Campus

Biology B.A.

Biology

Swenson College of Science and Engineering

Program Type: Baccalaureate
Requirements for this program are current for Spring 2017
Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120
Required credits within the major: 70 to 82
Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Biology has long been recognized as basic to environment, agriculture, and medicine. Because the topics studied by biologists range from sub-cellular particles to global environmental concerns, and because of the variety of living organisms and the various ways of studying them, many specialties have developed. The B.A. program provides majors with the necessary background to pursue careers in the diverse areas of life science, including health care professions, and the many careers that provide the interface between science and society.

Program Delivery

This program is available:

via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)

Admission Requirements

For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.

Required prerequisites

Introductory Requirement (1 cr)

Transfer students with 24 or more credits and current students who change from a BS degree or change colleges may request to be waived from this requirement. New first-year students with 24 or more PSEO credits may request to be waived from this requirement.

UST 1000 - Learning in Community (1.0-2.0 cr)

General Requirements

Students must meet all course and credit requirements of the departments and colleges or schools in which they are enrolled including an advanced writing course. Students seeking two degrees must fulfill the requirements of both degrees. However, two degrees cannot be awarded for the same major.
Students must complete all requirements of the Liberal Education Program or its approved equivalent.
Students must complete a minimum of 120 semester credits completed in compliance with University of Minnesota Duluth academic policies with credit limits (e.g., Satisfactory/Non-Satisfactory Grading Policy, Credit for Prior Learning, etc).
At least 30 semester credits must be earned through UMD, and 15 of the last 30 credits earned immediately before graduation must be awarded by UMD.
At least half of upper-division (3xxx-level or higher) credits that satisfy major requirements (major requirements includes all courses required for the major, including courses in a subplan) through UMD.
If a minor is required, students must take at least three upper division credits in their minor field from UMD.
For certificate programs, at least 3 upper-division credits that satisfy requirements for the certificate must be taken through UMD. If the program does not require upper division credits students must take at least one course from the certificate program from UMD.
The minimum cumulative University of Minnesota (UMN) GPA required for graduation is 2.00 and includes only University of Minnesota coursework. A minimum UMN GPA of 2.00 is required in each UMD undergraduate major, minor, and certificate. No academic unit may impose a higher GPA standard to graduate.
Diploma, transcripts, licensure, and certification will be withheld until all financial obligations to the University have been met.

Program Requirements

1. The human biology sub-plan requires a minor or second major from another area of study outside the Department of Biology with the exception of the natural history minor. The life science sub-plan requires a minor or second major from a non-SCSE program.

Biology BA Core Courses (18 - 21 cr)

General Biology I

BIOL 1013 {Inactive} [NAT SCI] (5.0 cr)

General Biology II

BIOL 1012 - General Biology II [SUSTAIN] (5.0 cr)

Additional Biology

BIOL 2201 - Genetics (3.0 cr)

BIOL 3987 - Communication in Biology (2.0 cr)

Ecology

BIOL 2410 - Ecology and Evolution (3.0 cr)

or BIOL 2801 - General Ecology (3.0 cr)

BIOL 3401 - Evolution (3.0 cr)

Chemistry (10 cr)

CHEM 1113 - Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry I [LE CAT, NAT SCI] (5.0 cr)

CHEM 1114 - Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry II (5.0 cr)

or CHEM 1153 - General Chemistry I [LE CAT, NAT SCI] (4.0 cr)

CHEM 1154 - General Chemistry Lab I [LE CAT, NAT SCI] (1.0 cr)

CHEM 1155 - General Chemistry II (4.0 cr)

CHEM 1156 - General Chemistry Lab II (1.0 cr)

Math and Statistics (7 - 9 cr)

Math

MATH 1160 - Finite Mathematics and Introduction to Calculus [LE CAT, LOGIC & QR] (5.0 cr)

or MATH 1250 - Precalculus Analysis [LE CAT2, LOGIC & QR] (4.0 cr)

or MATH 1290 - Calculus for the Natural Sciences [LE CAT2, LOGIC & QR] (5.0 cr)

or MATH 1296 - Calculus I [LE CAT, LOGIC & QR] (5.0 cr)

or MATH 1596 {Inactive} [LE CAT2, LOGIC & QR] (5.0 cr)

Statistics

ECON 2030 - Applied Statistics for Business and Economics [LOGIC & QR] (3.0 cr)

or PSY 3020 - Statistical Methods (4.0 cr)

or STAT 1411 - Introduction to Statistics [LE CAT, LOGIC & QR] (3.0 cr)

or STAT 24xx or above (3 - 4 cr)

Advanced Writing Requirement (3 cr)

WRIT 3150 - Advanced Writing: Science (3.0 cr)

Program Sub-plans

Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.

Human Biology

The biology bachelor of arts in human biology is designed to provide the breadth and depth of knowledge required for students entering human health care professions including nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant and the diverse array of health care technician programs. The core courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics provide a strong foundation for more specialized upper division coursework. Students will complete their degree with upper division electives from the life, physical, and social sciences and humanities to focus their degree towards their professional goals. Please visit the Biology Department webpage http://www.d.umn.edu/biology/ for example plans.

Human Biology Core (13 cr)

BIOL 3100 - Cell Biology (3.0 cr)

BIOL 3771 - Human Anatomy (4.0 cr)

BIOL 3772 - Human Physiology (4.0 cr)

BIOL 2102 - Cell Biology Laboratory (2.0 cr)

or BIOL 2202 - Genetics Laboratory (2.0 cr)

Biology BA Electives (15 cr)

Between the biology electives and additional electives, at least one biology lab course must be included.

Cell Biology (CELL)

BIOL 4361, and 5232 carry a lab component

Take 2 or more course(s) totaling 6 or more credit(s) from the following:

· BIOL 3512 - Biology of HIV and AIDS (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3101 - Molecular Biology of Cancer (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3102 - Cell Biology of Human Disease (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3301 - Patterning the Embryo (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4199 - Frontiers in Cell Biology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4231 - Molecular Biology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4361 - Developmental Biology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4511 - Medical Microbiology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4631 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4232 - Molecular Biology Laboratory (2.0 cr)

· BIOL 5511 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

· BMS 5545 - Immunology (3.0 cr)

Social Science, Business and Humanities (SBH)

Must be from at least 2 different designators. There are no courses in this group that carry a lab component.

Take 3 or more course(s) totaling 9 or more credit(s) from the following:

· ANTH 1602 - Biological Anthropology and Archaeology [LE CAT, SOC SCI] (4.0 cr)

· ECON 1003 - Economics and Society [LE CAT, SOC SCI] (3.0 cr)

· HIST 2350 - Hunting and Gathering and the History of American Health [HUMANITIES, SUSTAIN] (4.0 cr)

· MGTS 1101 - Introduction to Business [LE CAT8] (3.0 cr)

· PHIL 1003 - Ethics and Society [LE CAT8, LEIP CAT08, HUMANITIES, CDIVERSITY] (3.0 cr)

· PSY 1003 - General Psychology [LE CAT, SOC SCI] (4.0 cr)

· PSY 2021 - Developmental Psychology [LE CAT, LECD C, SOC SCI, CDIVERSITY] (3.0 cr)

· PSY 3121 - Abnormal Psychology (3.0 cr)

· SOC 1101 - Introduction to Sociology [LE CAT, LECD C, SOC SCI, CDIVERSITY] (4.0 cr)

Additional Electives (10 cr)

Between the Biology BA Electives and Additional Electives, at least one Biology Lab course must be included. Courses cannot be used to fulfill more than 1 requirement within the major.

Take 10 or more credit(s) from the following:

Electives

BIOL 2571 carries a lab component.

Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:

· ANTH 2xxx

· ANTH 3xxx

· ANTH 4xxx

· BIOL 2571 - Microbiology for Human Health (4.0 cr)

· BMS 5501 - Neurobiochemistry (2.0 cr)

· BMS 5555 - Molecular Pathogenesis: Current Concepts (3.0 cr)

· BMS 5601 - Grand Challenges in Physiology (3.0 cr)

· BMS 5602 - Physiology of Organ Systems II (2.0 cr)

· CHEM 2541 - Organic Chemistry I (3.0 cr)

· CHEM 2542 - Organic Chemistry II (3.0 cr)

· CHEM 2543 - Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1.0 cr)

· CHEM 2544 - Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1.0 cr)

· CHEM 3322 - Biochemistry (3.0 cr)

· CHEM 3324 - Biochemistry Laboratory (1.0 cr)

· PSY 3xxx

· PSY 4xxx

· PSY 5xxx

· SOC 2xxx

· SOC 3xxx

· SOC 4xxx

· Physics I Electives

Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:

PHYS 1001 - Introduction to Physics I [LE CAT, NAT SCI] (5.0 cr)

or PHYS 2013 - General Physics I [LE CAT, NAT SCI] (4.0 cr)

with PHYS 2014 - General Physics Lab I [NAT SCI] (1.0 cr)

or PHYS 2017 - Honors: General Physics I [NAT SCI] (4.0 cr)

with PHYS 2014 - General Physics Lab I [NAT SCI] (1.0 cr)

· Physics II Electives

Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:

PHYS 1002 - Introduction to Physics II (5.0 cr)

or PHYS 2015 - General Physics II (4.0 cr)

with PHYS 2016 - General Physics Lab II (1.0 cr)

or PHYS 2018 - Honors General Physics II (4.0 cr)

with PHYS 2014 - General Physics Lab I [NAT SCI] (1.0 cr)

· Anatomy, Morphology, Physiology Electives (AMP)

BIOL 3703 and 4604 carry a lab component

Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:

· BIOL 3703 - Animal Physiology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4604 - Plant Physiology (4.0 cr)

· BIOL 5772 - Neural Systems and Behavior (3.0 cr)

· Cell Biology Electives (CELL)

BIOL 4361 and 5232 carry a lab component

Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:

· BIOL 3512 - Biology of HIV and AIDS (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3101 - Molecular Biology of Cancer (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3102 - Cell Biology of Human Disease (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3301 - Patterning the Embryo (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4199 - Frontiers in Cell Biology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4361 - Developmental Biology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4511 - Medical Microbiology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4631 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 5511 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

· BMS 5545 - Immunology (3.0 cr)

· Diversity and Taxonomy Electives (DT)

All courses in this category carry a lab component

Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:

· BIOL 3502 - General Microbiology (4.0 cr)

· BIOL 3601 - Plant Diversity (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3603 - Plant Taxonomy (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3701 - Animal Diversity (4.0 cr)

· BIOL 4731 - Entomology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4761 - Ichthyology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4763 - Ornithology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4764 - Mammalogy (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 5515 - Microbial Diversity and Phylogeny (3.0 cr)

· Ecology, Evolution & Behavior Electives (EEB)

BIOL 3761, 3811 and 4839 carry a lab component.

Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:

· BIOL 3401 - Evolution (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3760 - Marine Biology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3761 - Field Studies in Marine Biology (4.0 cr)

· BIOL 3811 {Inactive} (4.0 cr)

· BIOL 3830 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3835 - Freshwater Ecology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4233 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4818 - Biotic Response to Climate Change (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4839 - Coral Reef Field Studies [GLOBAL PER] (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4850 - Food and Humans (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4891 - Animal Behavior (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4992 - Senior Seminar: Classic Readings in Natural History (1.0 cr)

· BIOL 5240 - Ecological Genetics (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 5777 {Inactive} (2.0 cr)

· BIOL 5801 - Microbial Ecology (2.0 cr)

· BIOL 5805 - Fisheries Ecology and Management (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 5808 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 5833 - Stream Ecology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 5861 - Lake Ecology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 5865 - Conservation Biology (2.0 cr)

· BIOL 5870 - Wetland Ecology (3.0 cr)

· Supplemental Biology Electives (SBE)

These courses can be used as additional electives only if they have not been used in the core. 2 cr of SSP 3002 TA Practicum (in Biology) may be substituted for BIOL 3993 as an upper division elective with departmental approval. A maximum of 2 cr BIOL 3993, a maximum of 4 cr BIOL 3994 and a maximum of 1 cr BIOL 3996 may be applied to the degree. BIOL 2102, 2202 and 2802 carry a lab component.

Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:

· BIOL 2102 - Cell Biology Laboratory (2.0 cr)

· BIOL 2202 - Genetics Laboratory (2.0 cr)

· BIOL 2802 - Ecology Laboratory (2.0 cr)

· BIOL 3001 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3993 - Laboratory Teaching Experience (1.0-2.0 cr)

· BIOL 3994 - Undergraduate Research (1.0-3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3996 - Internship in Biology (1.0-2.0 cr)

· BIOL 5001 - Teaching and Learning in the Life Sciences (1.0 cr)

· Social Science, Business & Humanities Electives (SBH)

Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:

· ANTH 1602 - Biological Anthropology and Archaeology [LE CAT, SOC SCI] (4.0 cr)

· ECON 1003 - Economics and Society [LE CAT, SOC SCI] (3.0 cr)

· HIST 2350 - Hunting and Gathering and the History of American Health [HUMANITIES, SUSTAIN] (4.0 cr)

· MGTS 1101 - Introduction to Business [LE CAT8] (3.0 cr)

· PHIL 1003 - Ethics and Society [LE CAT8, LEIP CAT08, HUMANITIES, CDIVERSITY] (3.0 cr)

· PSY 1003 - General Psychology [LE CAT, SOC SCI] (4.0 cr)

· PSY 2021 - Developmental Psychology [LE CAT, LECD C, SOC SCI, CDIVERSITY] (3.0 cr)

· PSY 3121 - Abnormal Psychology (3.0 cr)

· SOC 1101 - Introduction to Sociology [LE CAT, LECD C, SOC SCI, CDIVERSITY] (4.0 cr)

Life Sciences

The life sciences sub-plan is for students whose educational and career objectives can best be met by integrating a strong biology background with courses from multiple departments in order to complete a second major or minor outside the Swenson College of Science and Engineering. Please visit the Biology Department webpage http://www.d.umn.edu/biology/ for example plans.

Life Science Core Courses (5 cr)

BIOL 2110 - Cell and Molecular Biology (3.0 cr)

or BIOL 3100 - Cell Biology (3.0 cr)

BIOL 2102 - Cell Biology Laboratory (2.0 cr)

or BIOL 2202 - Genetics Laboratory (2.0 cr)

or BIOL 2802 - Ecology Laboratory (2.0 cr)

Biology BA Elective Categories (26 cr)

Courses cannot be used to fulfill more than 1 requirement in the major. Must include a minimum of 17 credits BIOL 3xxx or above and 3 biology lab courses. Take 26 or more credit(s) from the following:

Anatomy, Morphology, Physiology (AMP)

BIOL 3703, 3771, 3772 and 4604 carry a lab component.

Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:

· BIOL 3703 - Animal Physiology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3771 - Human Anatomy (4.0 cr)

· BIOL 3772 - Human Physiology (4.0 cr)

· BIOL 4604 - Plant Physiology (4.0 cr)

· BIOL 5772 - Neural Systems and Behavior (3.0 cr)

Cell Biology (CELL)

BIOL 4361, and 5232 carry a lab component.

Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:

· BIOL 3512 - Biology of HIV and AIDS (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3100 - Cell Biology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3101 - Molecular Biology of Cancer (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3102 - Cell Biology of Human Disease (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3301 - Patterning the Embryo (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4199 - Frontiers in Cell Biology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4361 - Developmental Biology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4511 - Medical Microbiology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4631 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4232 - Molecular Biology Laboratory (2.0 cr)

· BIOL 5511 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

· BMS 5545 - Immunology (3.0 cr)

Diversity and Taxonomy (DT)

All courses in this category carry a lab component.

Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:

· BIOL 3502 - General Microbiology (4.0 cr)

· BIOL 3601 - Plant Diversity (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3603 - Plant Taxonomy (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3701 - Animal Diversity (4.0 cr)

· BIOL 4731 - Entomology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4761 - Ichthyology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4763 - Ornithology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4764 - Mammalogy (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 5515 - Microbial Diversity and Phylogeny (3.0 cr)

Ecology, Evolution and Behavior (EEB)

BIOL 3761, 3811, and 4839 carry a lab component.

Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:

· BIOL 3760 - Marine Biology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3761 - Field Studies in Marine Biology (4.0 cr)

· BIOL 3401 - Evolution (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3811 {Inactive} (4.0 cr)

· BIOL 3830 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3835 - Freshwater Ecology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4233 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4818 - Biotic Response to Climate Change (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4839 - Coral Reef Field Studies [GLOBAL PER] (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4850 - Food and Humans (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4891 - Animal Behavior (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 4992 - Senior Seminar: Classic Readings in Natural History (1.0 cr)

· BIOL 5240 - Ecological Genetics (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 5777 {Inactive} (2.0 cr)

· BIOL 5801 - Microbial Ecology (2.0 cr)

· BIOL 5805 - Fisheries Ecology and Management (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 5808 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 5833 - Stream Ecology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 5861 - Lake Ecology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 5865 - Conservation Biology (2.0 cr)

· BIOL 5870 - Wetland Ecology (3.0 cr)

Supplemental Biology Electives (SBE)

Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:

· BIOL 2102 - Cell Biology Laboratory (2.0 cr)

· BIOL 2202 - Genetics Laboratory (2.0 cr)

· BIOL 2801 - General Ecology (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 2802 - Ecology Laboratory (2.0 cr)

· BIOL 3001 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3993 - Laboratory Teaching Experience (1.0-2.0 cr)

· BIOL 3994 - Undergraduate Research (1.0-3.0 cr)

· BIOL 3996 - Internship in Biology (1.0-2.0 cr)

· BIOL 5001 - Teaching and Learning in the Life Sciences (1.0 cr)

Courses from programs outside of SCSE

Must be from at least 2 different designators, 3xxx and above. May take non-SCSE course 1xxx, 2xxx upon departmental approval. Take 3 or more courses totaling 9 or more credits within these parameters.

View college catalog(s):
· Swenson College of Science and Engineering

View future requirement(s):
· Fall 2023
· Fall 2022
· Fall 2021
· Fall 2020
· Fall 2019
· Fall 2018
· Fall 2017

View sample plan(s):
· Biology BA
· Human Biology Sample Plan
· Life Sciences Sample Plan

View checkpoint chart:
· Biology B.A.

View PDF Version:

Biology B.A.

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Duluth Campus:

Credits:	1.0 -2.0 [max 2.0]
Course Equivalencies:	EHS 1000/UST 1000/ ES 1000
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall & Spring

Credits:	5.0 [max 5.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall & Spring

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall & Spring

Credits:	2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Fall & Spring

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall

Credits:	4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies:	CHEM 1173/CHEM 1153/CHEM 1161
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall, Spring & Summer

Credits:	1.0 [max 1.0]
Course Equivalencies:	CHEM 1174/CHEM 1154
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall, Spring & Summer

Credits:	3.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall, Spring & Summer

Credits:	2.0 [max 2.0]
Prerequisites:	Chem 3322 or Chem 4351 or instructor consent
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Spring

Credits:	4.0 [max 8.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Periodic Summer

Credits:	1.0 -3.0 [max 6.0]
Grading Basis:	S-N or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall, Spring & Summer