The foreign language requirement of the College of Arts and Sciences fulfills the departmental requirements for the B.A. degree. There is no foreign language requirement for the B.S. degree.

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Option
Up to 18 credit hours may be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (s/u) basis. Excluded from this option are required courses in chemistry, physics, mathematics, or psychology, and biology courses other than Biology 389(4889), Senior Seminar, and Biology 390(4905), Research.

Foundation Courses
11(1811), Introductory Biology I
12(1821), Introductory Biology II
224(2012), Genetics
232(3622), Cell Structure and Function
246(3302), Introduction to Evolution
371(4712), Biochemistry
389(4889), Senior Seminar, or 285(4985) and 286(4986) for those seeking teacher certification.

Lecture Course Requirements. An additional three biology lecture courses, at the 200 level or higher, are required. At least one of the courses must be at the 300- level. Biology 327(4614), 371(4712), 389(4889), and 390(4905) cannot be used to fulfill the 300-level course requirement.

Laboratory Course Requirements. In addition to the lecture course requirements, three biology laboratory courses at the 200 level or higher will be required. They may be taken from any of the lecture-laboratory or laboratory courses offered. Introductory Biology, General Biology, and Biology 390(4905) laboratories cannot be used to fulfill this requirement. Students may substitute Chemistry 373(4733) for Biology 375(4713) to satisfy one of these laboratory course requirements, but students may not use both Biology 375(4713) and Chemistry 373(4733) to fulfill this requirement.

Off-campus transfer students must satisfactorily complete at least 12 credit hours of UM-St. Louis biology course work (including two laboratories) at the 200 level or above before receiving a B.A. degree from the College of Arts and Sciences with a major in biology.

Basic Skills Requirement
Certain skills outside the biology subject matter are needed by a well-rounded biologist. The basic skills requirement is designed to provide the student with a background in communication skills and knowledge in associated science areas.

1) Communication Skills. Courses in foreign languages and in writing are required for development of the basic communication skills needed to transmit scientific information. The following satisfy this requirement:

Foreign Language.
The foreign language requirement of the College of Arts & Sciences fulfills the departmental requirements for general communication skills for the B.A. degree in biology

Writing.
Eng 210(3100), Advanced Expository Writing or
Eng 216(3160), Writing in the Sciences (strongly preferred)

2) Associated Science Area. The following courses or their equivalents must be successfully completed in science areas related to biology:

The following courses in chemistry are required:

11(1111), Introductory Chemistry I or
1(1082), General Chemistry I, plus
9(1091), General Chemistry II
12(1121), Introductory Chemistry II
261(2612), Structural Organic Chemistry I and one of the following chemistry courses:
122(2223), Quantitative Analysis
262(2622), Organic Chemistry II
263(2633), Organic Chemistry Laboratory

There is no foreign language requirement for the B.S. degree. However, students should realize that the literature for biological studies is in many different languages and the ability to extract information from this literature is an  important skill.

To fulfill the requirements for the B.S. degree a minimum of 46 hours but not more than 50 hours must be completed in appropriate biology course work. A minimum of 17 hours in biology (including three laboratory courses) must be completed at UM-St. Louis. Candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in biology courses.

Foundation Courses. All candidates for the B.S. degree must successfully complete the same basic courses as those for the B.A degree.

Lecture Course Requirements. An additional four biology lecture courses, at the 200 level or higher, are required. At least two of the courses must be at the 300 level. Selection of the 300 level courses should reflect the career interest of the student, and at least one of the courses should be in a topic area that could lead to an independent research project (Biology 390(4905), Biology 327(4614), 371(4712), 389(4889), and 390(4905) cannot be used to fulfill  this requirement.

Laboratory Course Requirements. A minimum of five biology laboratory courses at the 200 level or higher must be taken to satisfy the Bachelor of Science requirements. They may be taken from any of the lecture-laboratory or laboratory courses offered. Introductory Biology, General Biology, and Biology 390(4905) laboratories cannot be used to fulfill this requirement. Students may substitute Chemistry 373(4733) for Biology 375(4713) to satisfy one of these  laboratory course requirements, but students may not use both Biology 375(4713)  and Chemistry 373(4733) to fulfill this requirement.

Basic Skills Requirement
Certain skills outside the biology subject matter are needed to function adequately in a research environment. The basic skills requirement is designed to provide the student with a background in data processing and communication and knowledge in associated science areas.

1)Data Processing: Students must show a basic understanding of mechanisms for handling data by successfully completing one course in each of the following sets:

Set A. Statistics
Statistics 31(1310), Elementary Statistical Methods, or
Statistics 132(1320), Applied Statistics I, or
Educ 330(5730), Educational Statistics, or
Psych 201(2201), Psychological Statistics, or
Biol  388(4122), Biometry

Set B. Computer Science
CompSci 101(1010), Introduction to Computers and the Internet, or
CompSci 125(1250), Introduction to Computing or
Bus 103(1800), Computers and Information Systems

2)Communication Skills  Courses in formal speaking and writing are required for development of the basic communication skills needed to transmit scientific information. The following courses satisfy this requirement:

Communication
Comm 40(1040), Introduction to Public Speaking

Writing
Eng 210(3100), Advanced Expository Writing or
Eng 216(3160), Writing in the Sciences (strongly preferred)

3)Associated Science Area: The following courses or their equivalents  must be successfully completed in science areas related to biology:
Phys 11(1011), Basic Physics
Phys 12(1012), Basic Physics
Chem 11(1111), Introduction Chemistry I, or
Chem 1(1082), General Chemistry I, plus
Chem 9(1091), General Chemistry II
Chem 12(1121), Introductory Chemistry II
Chem 261(2612), Organic Chemistry I
Chem 262(2622), Organic Chemistry II
Chem 263(2633), Organic Chemistry Laboratory or
Chem 122(2223), Quantitative Analysis
Phil 156(2256), Medical Ethics, or
Phil 280(3380), Philosophy of Science
Math 30(1030), College Algebra, and
Math 35(1035), Trigonometry
Math 100(1100), Basic Calculus, or
Math 80(1800), Analytical Geometry and Calculus I

Research Requirement. All students acquiring a bachelor of science degree  are strongly encouraged to complete a minimum of 2 credit hours of undergraduate  research, Biology 390(4905). The privilege of doing undergraduate research provides students with a firsthand opportunity to experience the research process under the supervision of a faculty member or off-campus scientist. The project normally includes a library search of pertinent literature, laboratory or field experience, and a summary paper.

The following 100 level biology courses may be taken by biology majors, but do not count toward the biology credit hours required for a major. They may be included in the 120 hours required for graduation as elective credit.

Psych 3(1003), General Psychology
Ed Fnd 111(1111), The School in Contemporary Society
English 216(3160), Writing in the Sciences
History 3(1001), 4(1002), or 6(1003), American Civilization
PolSci 11(1100), Introduction to American Politics
Philosophy 280(3380), Philosophy of Science
Comm 40(1040), Introduction to Public Speaking
Theater 21(1210), Fundamentals of Acting
Geology 1(1001), General Geology
Atmospheric Science 1(1001), Elementary Meteorology
Ed Psy 312(3312), The Psychology of Teaching and Learning
Ed Tec 248(2248), Utilization of Computer-Based Materials in Instruction
Sec Ed 213(3213), Techniques of Secondary School Teaching and Field Experience or
Tch Ed 310(3310), Introduction to Instructional Methods
Spec Ed 313(3313), The Psychology and Education of  Exceptional Individuals
Sec Ed 386(4391), Teaching Reading in Secondary School

Content Areas
Biology 285(4985), Curriculum and Methods of Teaching Life Sciences
Biology 286(4986), Laboratory in Teaching Life Sciences
Sec Ed 290(3290), Secondary School Student Teaching
Biology 399(4999), Science Teaching Intern Seminar

Requirements are:
1)Biology 11(1811) and 12(1821), Introductory Biology I and II

2) Three additional courses at the 200 level or above totaling no less than 9 credit hours. These may include either lecture or laboratory courses.

All students must consult with an adviser to plan an appropriate course of study. This program must be approved by the chairperson of the Department of Biology. Under certain circumstances, a student may deviate from the prescribed course of study and substitute a group of courses that exhibit a coherent area of specialization to coordinate with a career objective. Such a candidate must receive prior approval by the biology department to pursue this program.

Biology
11(1811), Introductory Biology I
12(1821), Introductory Biology II
224(2012), Genetics
232(3622), Cell Structure and Function
371(4712), Biochemistry, or
Chem 371(4712), Biochemistry
375(4713), Techniques in Biochemistry (lab)
376(5712), Topics in Biochemistry, or
Chem 372(4722), Advanced Biochemistry
378(5715), Protein Biochemistry Lab, or
Chem 373(4733), Biochemical Techniques
389(4889), Senior Seminar

Requirements
Undergraduate biology majors must enroll in the Biotechnology Certificate Program after the completion of 60 credit hours. A student will receive the Certificate in Biotechnology by completing the requirements for the bachelor's degree and fulfilling all the science (biology, chemistry, math, and computer science) course requirements of the B.S. in biology program. The required biology courses for the certificate are:

Biology
216(2482), Microbiology
218(2483), Microbiology Laboratory
226(2013), Genetics Laboratory
327(4614), Biotechnology Laboratory I
375(4713), Techniques in Biochemistry

One of the following two courses:

Biology
326(4602), Molecular Biology
338(4612), Molecular Genetics of Bacteria

One of the following seven courses:

Biology
317(4842), Immunobiology
328(4615), Biotechnology Laboratory II
333(4632), Nucleic Acid Structure and Function
334(4652), Virology
335(4622), Molecular Cell Biology
376(5712), Topics in Biochemistry

Core Courses

Biology
220(2102), General Ecology
240(3202), Conservation Biology
241(3203), Conservation Biology Laboratory
347(4299), Practicum in Conservation

Electives: The remaining 11 credits must be selected from courses listed  below. Five credits must be taken from within biology and 6 credits outside  biology, from at least two departments.

Anthropology
120(2120), Native Peoples of North America
131(2131), Archaeology of Missouri
132(2132), Archaeology of North America

Biology
323(3122), Tropical Resource Ecology
324(3123), Tropical Resource Ecology Field Studies
325(3145), Tropical Vertebrate Ecology
341(4182), Population Biology
348(4112), Evolution of Animal Sociality
351(4501), Flowering Plant Families: Phylogeny and Diversification
364(4402), Ornithology
366(4403), Ornithology Laboratory
367(4422), Entomology
368(4423), Entomology laboratory
380(4102), Behavioral ecology
385(4202), Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
386(4203), Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Laboratory |
395(4245), Field Biology
396(3182), Introduction to Marine Science

Economics
230(3300), International Economic Analysis
251(3001), Intermediate Economic Theory: Microeconomics
360(4550), Natural Resource Economics

History
300(3000), Selected Topics when relevant

Political Science
248(3480), Environmental Politics
285(3850), International Organizations and Global Problem Solving
351(4510), Comparative Public Policy and Administration
359(3590), Studies in Comparative Politics when relevant

Social Work
390(3900), Seminar in Social Work when relevant

In this program students may be admitted to the School of Optometry after completing three years  (90 semester hours) of study in the Department of Biology. The undergraduate degree is granted when students satisfactorily complete the first year of optometry school. One or more of the following conditions must be met in order to qualify for the undergraduate degree.

• All general education requirements and all requirements for the major, except electives, must be completed.
• Any deficiency in required courses must be remedied with courses taken at UM-St. Louis within three years after entering the School of Optometry.
• Up to 6 hours from the School of Optometry may be substituted for undergraduate  degree requirements, with approval of the Department of Biology.