Natural Sciences
BIOLOGY PROGRAM
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The biology major program has three broad objectives:
1. To introduce students to the methods of scientific investigation, applicable in both a scientific discipline and life-long learning;2. To provide students with a broad knowledge in biology and related sciences in order to understand, interpret, analyze and develop solutions for scientific problems from a biological perspective;
3. To provide students with a knowledge of the scope of biology and its related fields in order to allow students to select either future directions of study including such options as graduate school or training in the health professions, or areas of immediate employment such as positions in research, industrial laboratories or government field work.
The core and required support courses detailed below provide the basic course work to fulfill these objectives. Through consultation with a departmental advisor, the student may choose electives to design a major which emphasizes areas such as molecular biology, physiology or botany. The Biology major also serves as a pre-professional program for students who are interested in attending medical, dental, physical therapy or veterinary school. Additionally, the Biology major serves as the basis for a secondary teaching certificate (see "Teaching Certification in Biology" below). All biology majors are strongly encouraged to complement on-campus course work and research with internship and course work opportunities at nearby institutions such as Argonne National Laboratory, the Shedd Aquarium and the Morton Arboretum.
USF biology graduates have pursued careers in biological research, forensic science, physical therapy, pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, teaching and related areas.
MAJOR PROGRAM (65-72 semester hours)
Required Courses:
| BIOL 124/5 | Principles of Biology I and Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 126/7 | Principles of Biology II and Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 211 | Microbiology | 5 |
| BIOL 331 | Botany | -or- |
| BIOL 361 | Ecology | 4 |
| BIOL 350 | Genetics | 4 |
| BIOL 410 | Senior Seminar | -or- |
| BIOL 411 | Senior Thesis I | 1 |
| BIOL 412 | Senior Thesis II* | 2 |
*Required of Biology Fellows
One course from the following:
| BIOL 310 | Invertebrate Zoology | 4 |
| BIOL 314/5 | Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and Lab | 5 |
| BIOL 316 | Embryology | 4 |
One course from the following:
| BIOL 252 | Human Physiology | 4 |
| BIOL 322 | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 351 | Plant Physiology | 4 |
Required Support Courses:
| CHEM 121 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHEM 122 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| CHEM 224/5 | Organic Chemistry I and Lab | 5 |
| CHEM 322/3 | Biochemistry and Lab | 5 |
| PSCI 111 | General Physics I | 4 |
| MATH 181 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 5 |
Elective Courses:
Two electives chosen from either the following list or additional courses in the above groups:
| BIOL 342 | Medical Microbiology | 4 |
| BIOL 343 | Immunology | 4 |
| BIOL 353 | Endocrinology | 3 |
| BIOL 480-483 | Selected Topics | 3-4 |
| BIOL 124/5 | Principles of Biology I and Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 126/7 | Principles of Biology II and Lab | 4 |
| Four other biology courses, at least two from the upper division (300-400 level). | ||
Teacher Certification in General Science (6-12)
Students majoring in Biology may earn a Standard High School Teaching Certificate (6-12). In order to qualify for certification, each student must complete the following:
- The liberal education requirements for teacher certification as required by the Illinois State Board of Education for secondary (6-12) and listed under the College of Education
- The required courses in professional education for either middle school and secondary certification as listed under the College of Education
- All biology major course requirements
- The prescribed field experiences - (Written verification must be provided if field experiences are transferred from another institution.)All required certification tests
- A minimum grade point average (G.P.A.) of 2.5 overall and 2.75 in the major.
All requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree
Required Courses for Certification:
| BIOL 124/5 | Principles of Biology I and Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 126/7 | Principles of Biology II and Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 211 | Microbiology | 5 |
| BIOL 252 | Human Physiology | 4 |
| BIOL 310 | Invertebrate Zoology | 4 |
| BIOL 314/5 | Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and Lab | 5 |
| BIOL 322 | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 350 | Genetics | 4 |
| BIOL 361 | Ecology | 4 |
| BIOL 390 | Methods of Teaching Biology in the Secondary School | 3 |
| BIOL 410 | Senior Seminar | -or- |
| BIOL 411 | Senior Thesis I | 1 |
| BIOL 412 | Senior Thesis II* | 2 |
*Required of Biology Fellows
Support Courses:
| CHEM 121 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHEM 122 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| CHEM 224/5 | Organic Chemistry I and Lab | 5 |
| CHEM 322/3 | Biochemistry and Lab | 5 |
| ENVS 120 | Earth Science | 4 |
| PSCI 111 | General Physics I | 4 |
| PSCI 112 | General Physics II | 4 |
| MATH 181 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 5 |
*Information and Courses subject to change.
Students are assigned an advisor in both the Biology and Education Departments.
Equipment and Resources
The teaching labs are all well equiped with modern microscopes and the basic supplies that you expect to find in a biology lab. The Undergraduate Research Lab (N123A) has five computers connected to the USF network. The lab is also equipped to measure water quality and conduct GIS analyses. The department purchased a Micro-Titer Plate Reader and a Micro-Oxymax Respirometer with funds from NSF. A 500 square foot greenhouse was built in 1995 for teaching and research use by USF students.
