UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

The Department of Biology strives to produce graduates who are thoroughly and broadly trained in biology. The department provides a curriculum designed to give students a diversity of opportunities for theoretical and applied study and to prepare them for advanced studies in graduate and professional schools, to teach the natural sciences at the secondary level, or to enter the job force upon graduation

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE

1. To qualify for a Bachelor of Science degree, a student must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours with a grade point average of 2.0. Of the 120 semester hours required, no more than 42 semester hours in biology will be counted toward the degree. At least 42 semester hours must be in courses from the upper division (3000 and 4000 level). For information concerning additional requirements see the University of Memphis Undergraduate Catalog (http://academics.memphis.edu/bulletin/).

2. Beginning freshmen who have completed an advanced biology course in high school may apply to the chair of the Department of Biology during the semester preceding enrollment for advanced placement. Freshmen scoring 3 on the Advanced Placement Test will receive credit hours for BIOL 1010/1011, BIOL 1020/1021. Those scoring 4 or higher will receive credit hours for BIOL 1110/1111, BIOL 1120/1121.

3. Students must earn a grade of at least “C” in all biology courses applied toward the major, the minor, and in all required chemistry and physics courses and any substituted courses. Students must complete BIOL 1110/1111, and BIOL 1120/1121, before enrolling in any upper division course.

Any required or elective course applied toward the major or minor may be repeated once to earn a minimum grade of "C." To repeat a course a second time, a student must apply for and receive special permission from the department Undergraduate Studies Committee. Application information is available in the Biology office. A student may not repeat a course three times in order to receive a grade of "C."

4. The Major: (48 hours in addition to General Education Program and B.S. degree requirements) Completion of 36 hours in biology courses, 16 hours in chemistry courses, and 8 hours in physics courses as outlined: BIOL 1110/1111, BIOL 1120/1121, CHEM 1110/1111 (these courses are included in the University General Education Program and B.S. degree requirements), and BIOL 3072, 3073, 3130, 4100; 18 additional upper division hours in biology courses approved by the department; CHEM 1120/1121, 3301/3311, 3302/3312; and PHYS 2010/2011, 2020/2021 or 2110/2111, 2120/2121. Three hours of MATH 4611 or PSYC 3001 or SOCI 3311 may be substituted for three upper-division hours in biology.

5. The Minor: 18 semester hours in biology courses including BIOL 1110, 1111, 1120, 1121 and 10 upper division hours.

CORE CURRICULUM

The core curriculum consists of 18 hours and is required of all biology major. The courses are challenging and students are required to integrate information from the molecular to the ecosystem level in order to understand biological processes and principles. In essence, each course in the core provides another strand to the student's understanding of a web of complex relationships. The student's training involves experimentation that provides insights into how and why biological systems work. The following courses constitute the core curriculum and should be taken in the order presented:

- General Biology I (BIOL 1110 and BIOL 1111)--4 hours
- General Biology II (BIOL 1120 and BIOL 1121)--4 hours
- Cell Biology (BIOL 3130; formerly MMCS 3130)--3 hours
- Evolution (BIOL 4100)--3 hours
- Genetics (BIOL 3072 and BIOL 3073)--4 hours

PRE-PROFESSIONAL

Students find that our curriculum and facilities offer excellent preparation for a career in the health professions. Additionally, the Health Science Professions Advisory Office , located in the Dean's Office, offers advising and career information to students planning on applying to the following health-professional schools: medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, veterinary medicine, nursing and allied health fields including cytotechnology, dental hygiene, medical record administration, medical technology, occupational therapy and physical therapy. All pre-professional students are strongly encouraged to contact the Pre-Professional advisor at the beginning of their program.

TEACHER PREPARATION

Students who wish to prepare to teach biology in the secondary schools of Tennessee are expected to complete a baccalaureate degree with a major in biology, followed by earning a Master of Arts in Teaching degree through the College of Education . Additional information on licensure requirements may be obtained from the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies in Arts and Sciences (Scates Hall) or the Office of Teacher Education in the College of Education (Ball Hall 2002).

Typical 4-Year Biology Sequence

Freshman Year

Semester Totals 13-14 hrs 14 hrs

Sophomore Year

Semester Totals 15 hrs 14 hrs

Junior Year *see note at bottom (a)

Semester Totals 16 hrs 16 hrs

Senior Year

Semester Totals 16 hrs 16 hrs

Total Hours: 120-121

Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120

a)Undergraduate research is strongly encouraged as part of the elective hours.

b)Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement.

Careers in Biology Slide Presentation

Careers

University Undergraduate Bulletin