Biological Sciences

What Is Biological Sciences ?

Biology is the scientific study of life and life processes. Biologists study the organization of life -- from the structures of molecules to the balance of ecosystems. Biology majors learn to observe critically the details of all life; they analyze data and apply biological knowledge learned in the classroom to draw conclusions about their observations. 

Biologists are able to make significant contributions to maintaining the health and well-being of the human population, as well as preserving and protecting the environment. They develop a knowledge base and scientific way of thinking that will enable them to make informed personal health and public policy decisions.

Success Factors

Students who have an interest in the living world around them, how the body works, the causes of diseases, etc., will often find a biology major very rewarding. Successful biology majors are good at making careful observations and recording information in a logical way. They excel at analyzing that information (critical thinking), which often involves employing basic math skills. Since many science courses involve laboratories, students who enjoy active, hands-on learning will enjoy the biology major. Visual learners will especially appreciate the beauty and complexity of the natural world. The major requires a significant amount of hard work and study time, but can result in a very rewarding career.

Career Possibilities

Graduates with a BS in biology have a wide range of career options as well as options for graduate study in biology. The MS or PhD degree in biology can lead to careers in teaching and research. A few examples of career fields open to biology majors include:

• Academic, industrial, environmental/organismal, medical/pharmaceutical researcher
• Physician, optometrist, dentist, chiropractor
• Physician assistant, physical therapist, imaging technologist
• Medical lab technologist, nurse
• College/university, middle/high school educator
• Forestry, horticulture, park service, wildlife/fishery biologist
• Regulatory affairs specialist
• Veterinarian, zookeeper

Additional career options are listed on the Career Development Center's Web site. 

Major Details

The study of biology includes several subdisciplines, and the major offers students the flexibility to create their own course of study within this range of possibilities. Majors begin by establishing a broad base in the discipline, taking a three-quarter sequence in introductory biology (lecture/lab) followed by three quarters of sophomore biology (lecture/lab): genetics (fall quarter), cell structure and function (winter quarter) and ecology (spring quarter). During the final two years, biology majors must complete a minimum of six upper-level electives in biology, of which at least two must include a laboratory component. Undergraduate research may be used to fulfill one of the lab requirements. If undergrad research is used, it must be a minimum of 3 credits and the work must be presented upon completion.

The Department of Biological Sciences in the UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) is now offering students the option of graduating with a concentration in a specific area of biology. The concentrations offered are biology of plants, biology of animals, cell and molecular biology, and ecology and evolution. To graduate with one of these concentrations, a student must complete the declaration of major form and then select six upper level courses and the capstone from lists of appropriate courses within the concentration. At graduation, the transcript will indicate the field of concentration along with the BS in biology. Although there is not a formal concentration in premedical studies, the "Special Programs" section below offers a list of suggested courses that may be especially appropriate for premed students. Students are not required to choose a concentration -- they can choose their biology major electives to match their interests (whether focused or varied) and thus earn a general degree in biological sciences.

McMicken College's flexible degree requirements allow for and highly encourage students to pursue multiple areas of study. Free electives allow for enough credits for students to pursue a minor, certificate program or even complete a second major. Some of the most common pairings are listed below.

• Chemistry (BA or minor)
• Environmental studies
• Geographic information sciences
• Geography
• Geology
• Neuroscience 
• Psychology
• Spanish

Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is a large part of the Biology undergraduate major. Students are strongly encouraged to conduct research and take unique courses such as this field course held at the Cincinnati Center for Field Studies at Miami Whitewater Forest. Watch the YouTube Video.

Minor Details

To add the minor to your transcript upon graduation you must meet with the director of undergraduate studies or the undergraduate advisor for the Department of Biological Sciences. You will receive assistance in creating a plan to complete these required courses during your degree program. Total required for the minor is 57-62 credit hours.

A certificate in biology is also available and would be especially beneficial to those students with degrees in related fields such as chemistry, psychology, environmental studies, journalism or allied health. Requirements are identical to those for a minor. Specifics on minor and certificate requirements are available on the department's Web site.

Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

Biology Major Requirements Checklist College Requirements Checklist
Course Name	Course Number	Credits
First Year
*English Composition	ENGL101 & 15ENGL102	6
Foundations of Applied Calculus (or substitution, or waiver)	15MATH224 (QR)	0-3
Applied Calculus I & II	15MATH226-227 (QR)	6
First Year Biology Lecture and Lab	15BIOL101/111-102/112-103/113	15
First Year Chemistry Lecture and Lab	15CHEM101/111-102/112-103/113	15
Courses in minor or other program	see options	0-3
Total for first year		45
Second Year
*Intermediate Composition	15ENGL289	3
Sophomore Biology	15BIOL302, 301, 303	12
Organic Chemistry	15CHEM201/211-202/212-203/213	16
*Humanities (HU)	see offerings	3
*Social Sciences (SS)	see offerings	3
*Literature (LT)	see offerings	3
*Historical Perspectives (HP)	see offerings	6
Total for second year		46
Third & Fourth years
Upper Level Biology Major Electives	see major checklist	12
Upper Level Biology Major Electives with Lab	see major checklist	6
College Physics	15PHYS101/111-102/112-103/113	15
Biology Capstone (added to a certain biology course)	15BIOL686	1
*Foreign Language	see checklist	15-18
*Social Sciences (SS)	see offerings	6
*Historical Perspectives (HP)	see offerings	3
*Humanities, Literature or Fine Arts (HU, LT or FA)	see offerings	3
*Social & Ethical Issues (if not already taken, SE)	see offerings	3
*Diversity & Culture (if not already taken, DC)	see offerings	3
Courses in minor or other program	see options	20-23
Total for third & fourth years		90
	Minimum total overall: 180

*Needed to fulfill A&S college requirements.

** Organic Chemistry should be taken at the same time (or before) Biology 301, 302 and 303.

*** Biology 101-102-103, 111-112-113 with a GPA of 2.0 or better and Chemistry 101-102-103, 111-112-113 with a GPA of 2.0 or better must be completed before taking Biology 301, 302 and 303

Mathematics -- A major in biological sciences must fulfill the college mathematical sciences requirements by taking either (a) or (b):
(a) Foundations of Applied Calculus & Applied Calculus I and II- 224 (or equivalent)-226-227 (9 cr.)* - see advisor
(b) Calculus I, II 251, 252, and 256 (10 cr.)

Physics -- A major in biological sciences usually completes the physics requirements by taking (a) or (b). Students are advised to complete their physics requirements in the third or fourth year:
(a) College Physics with lab 101-2-3, 111-12-13 (15 cr.) recommended for most students
(b) General Physics with lab 210-2-3, 211-12-13 (15 cr.) 

Capstone

The Department of Biological Sciences has a number of options for fulfilling the capstone requirement of the general education program. These may be taken late in the junior year or in the senior year. The options include several courses which have been designated "capstone courses." These are generally courses which require synthesis of material from a number of different fields of biology. With the permission of the instructor, the student may designate the course to fulfill the capstone requirement.

A paper or presentation beyond the regular requirements of the course may be required. Other options include summer fieldwork at a biology field station, research in a biology lab, either in the biology department or another part of the university, or work as an assistant teaching assistant (ATA) in one of the undergraduate laboratories. In each of these cases, there is a written component and a presentation required to complete the capstone experience. More details about capstone options are available on the biology Web site. Click for a Checklist of Biology Major Requirements.

Electives

    460 Botany (L)
    490 Conservation Biology
    520 Invertebrate Zoology(L)
    540 Neurobiology
    550 Animal Behavior
    551 and 552 Microbiology and Lab (Lab optional)
    554 Physiology of Prokaryotes
    565 Medical Botany
    567 Human and Comparative Embryology 
    569 Human Genetics 
    571 Animal Physiology
    573** Developmental Biology 
    574 Sensory Physiology
    575 Fundamentals of Ecology (L)
    577** Evolutionary Biology 
    578 Evolutionary Ecology (L) 
    580** Urban Ecology 
    590 Environmental Field Techniques (L) 
    597 Molecular Microbiology
    598 Introduction to Molecular Biology
    599** Eukaryotic Genetics (L)
    601** Undergraduate Research (L)
    602** Undergraduate Research (L)
    603** Undergraduate Research (L) 
    610 Conservation Biology
    639** Virology
    640** Introduction to Genomics
    641** Introduction to Proteomics
    642** Advanced Cell Biology
    647 Vertebrate Zoology (L) 
    656 Biology of Cancer   
    666**Ecotoxicology 
    668 Flowering Plant Class (L)
    669 Tropical Ecology  
    670** Plant Physiology (L) 
    679 Comparative Endocrinology
    683 Medical Parasitology 
    690 Plant Ecology
    691 and 692 Limnology and Limnology Lab (Lab optional)
    693** Physiology and Biomechanics (L)
    694 Human and Comparative Anatomy
    695 Immunology
    696 Plant-Animal Interactions 
    697 Immune Defense and Disease  

 L = fulfills one lab course requirement
**= designates capstone course 

Special Opportunities

Students in the UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences enjoy many benefits afforded through study at a research-intensive institution ranked among the nation's top 25 public research universities. UC's urban, tri-state location offers exciting opportunities for global education, research and service learning, while its student-centered focus includes an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, a nationally recognized Center for Exploratory Studies and a highly successful First Year Experience program that teaches critical skills for first-year students and provides connections with important campus resources.

Special Programs

Faculty within the Department of Biological Sciences are actively engaged in research in a variety of areas. Undergraduates have the opportunity to participate in this research and can earn academic credit that can be applied toward their upper-level biology course requirements. Outstanding undergraduates (with a GPA of at least 3.3 overall) may apply for admission to the honors program in biology as early as the spring quarter of their sophomore year.

Teaching laboratories within the department are well-equipped and devoted to undergraduate education. Faculty are involved and dedicated to employing new teaching methods and technology that enrich students’ educational experiences. 

While not an official concentration, students who are pursuing Pre-Med or another Pre-Professional program may wish to consider these upper level courses:
     520 Invertebrate Zoology (L)
     540 Neurobiology 
     551 and 552 Microbiology (+/- lab)
     565 Medical Botany 
     569 Human Genetics    
     571 Animal Physiology
     573** Developmental Biology
     574 Sensory Physiology
     597 Molecular Microbiology
     599** Eukaryotic Genetics (L)
     601** Undergraduate Research (L)
     602** Undergraduate Research (L)
     603** Undergraduate Research (L)
     639** Virology
     640** Introduction to Genomics
     641** Introduction to Proteomics
     642** Advanced Cell Biology
     647 Vertebrate Zoology (L)
     683 Medical Parasitology
     693** Physiology and Biomechanics (L)
     694 Human and Comparative Anatomy (L)
     695 Immunology
     697 Immune Defense and Disease

      L = fulfills one lab course requirement
     **= designates capstone course 

Admission Requirements

Admission criteria for this program vary based on the relative strength of test scores, class rank and GPA. Please see the Freshman Class Profile for this major in the Quick Facts sidebar on this page for the range of academic credentials typically accepted into this program. Test scores in the lower range may be acceptable with higher class rank and/or GPA.

Freshmen applying to this program should also have completed the following state of Ohio articulation requirements with no more than two units missing:

• English (4 units)*
• College-preparatory mathematics (3 units)*
• Science (2 units)
• Social science (2 units)
• Foreign language (2 units)*
• Fine arts (1 unit)
• Additional college-prep subjects (2 units)

*McMicken College of Arts & Sciences does not allow units missing from these areas.

Transfer Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was not in any of the UC colleges must apply through the Office of Admissions. Applicants in this category must submit transcripts for all secondary school and college-level work. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all college-level work is required for admission consideration. Admission to A&S is generally available for any off-campus applicants who have received an associate degree from an accredited college or university and whose cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher.

Although midyear off-campus transfer students are not able to participate in early registration in the quarter prior to their enrollment, they are included in the summer registration period prior to their fall quarter enrollment.

Changing Major Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was as a degree-seeking student in one of UC’s other colleges can apply directly to the A&S college office. Admission to A&S is generally available for any on-campus students who have:

• at least a 2.0 GPA in all college-level courses (both at UC and at other institutions),
• successfully completed two quarters of English Composition or its equivalent and
• gained credit for a college-level mathematics course.

Further details on individual programs are available online or in the A&S Office of Undergraduate Student Affairs and Advising (102 McMicken Hall).

Graduation Requirements

To obtain a bachelor of science in biology, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA in major courses.

In addition to meeting the university's General Education requirements, the requirements listed in the McMicken College Core Requirements are common to all potential graduates of the college, whether they are pursuing the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science or bachelor of interdisciplinary studies degree.

Application Deadlines

UC operates on a quarter system, with 10-week grading periods beginning in late September, early January, late March and mid-June. While midyear admission is possible, fall quarter is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin in that quarter. Applicants to the UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences who are enrolled or who were previously enrolled as degree-seeking students in A&S or in other UC colleges should apply for admission directly to A&S (in McMicken 102). All other applicants who wish to earn an undergraduate degree from A&S should apply through the Office of Admissions (3rd Floor, University Pavilion).