Biology, BA

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Opportunities for students trained in biology have grown dramatically with increasing demand for those educated in life sciences. Through training in biology, students learn to apply scientific principles, test hypotheses and develop laboratory skills. Critical thinking to evaluate scientific results through statistical analyses, scientific writing and oral presentation are basic skills developed by students who major in biology.

The Department of Physical and Biological Sciences offers BA and BS degrees in biology. These degrees provide the background necessary for a variety of careers, as well as entry into graduate and professional schools. A biology or chemistry major is recommended for students seeking entry into medical, veterinary, dental or nursing schools.

Students who have completed a degree in biology at Columbia College will:

Explain scientific vocabulary and knowledge.
Describe scientific principles, models and theories used to predict, understand and apply to biological/environmental phenomena.
Explain and demonstrate the scientific method and its applications.
Demonstrate proficiency in laboratory skills, including familiarity with the use of instrumentation, technology, and analytic methods commonly used in biological/environmental research.
Interpret and evaluate scientific results through the use of statistical analyses and critical thinking.
Demonstrate competence in finding, using, and evaluating scientific writing and primary literature.

Program CIP: 26.0101 - Biology/Biological Sciences, General.

Program SOC: 19-1099 - Life Scientists, All Other

General Education Requirements (39-42 sem. hrs)

For a complete list of general education courses click here . For additional information on general education requirements click here .

Ethics Course Requirement (3 sem. hrs)

Foreign Language Requirement (6 sem. hrs)

For information on how to fulfill the foreign language requirement click here .

Core Requirements (37 sem. hrs)

Prerequisites must be complete with a grade of C or higher. All must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Courses in the major cannot be taken Pass/Fail.

Biology Electives (21 sem. hrs)

All must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Twenty-one semester hours of courses with a BIOL prefix and above the 110 - level. Nine of these hours must be in upper-level courses. A maximum of three of those hours may be obtained from internships.

Electives (12-15 sem. hrs)

Total: 120 (sem. hrs)

The total reflects the minimum number of hours to obtain a bachelor’s degree. Some courses listed above may fulfill more than one requirement block. Please speak to your academic advisor to plan your specific degree path.

Note (s):

Culminating Experience: All students must complete BIOL 490 /ENVS 490 Senior Seminar 1 hour with a passing (S) grade.