Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog | 2016-2017 
    
Undergraduate Catalog | 2016-2017 Previous Edition

Biology, B.S.


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The B.S. in Biology is recommended for students planning a career in an area of biology, or especially if planning to attend graduate school for a Master’s or Ph.D. degree.  B.S. students have the option of designing their course of study to emphasize one subspecialty within the Biological Sciences.  They may choose to one of three concentrations:  (1) Cell Biology/Physiology  (2) Ecology/Environmental Biology  , or (3) Microbiology .   Planning for one of the options should be done in consultation with an academic advisor.

Additional Admission Requirements


Students are eligible to declare a Major in Biology when enrolled in BIOL 2120  or BIOL 2130 , and co-enrolled in CHEM 1251  and CHEM 1251L .  Students with prior credit earned at UNC Charlotte must have a minimum overall and Biology GPA of 2.0. 

Degree Requirements


The B.S. in Biology requires a total of 120 credit hours.  In addition to the 32 credit hours of BIOL courses required for the B.A. degree , students working toward the B.S. degree are required to take 12 additional credit hours in BIOL courses for a total of 44 credit hours.

General Education Courses (37-43 credit hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the General Education program 

Restricted Elective Courses


Physiology Course (3 credit hours)


Select one of the following:

Biology Courses (12 credit hours)


Select 12 additional credit hours of approved BIOL courses.

Senior Seminar Course (1 credit hour)


Unrestricted Elective Courses


As needed.

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours


Cooperative Education Program


Students majoring in Biology may obtain practical work experience while pursuing their degrees.  The Cooperative Education Program allows qualified students either to alternate semesters of academic study with semesters of full-time work experience or to combine part-time academic study and part-time work during the same semester.  Students who are in good standing with the University, have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, and have completed 30 credit hours are eligible to apply.  Transfer students are required to complete 12 credit hours at the University prior to application. The work experience is arranged by the University Career Center and must be approved by the Department of Biological Sciences.  Placements are based on a student’s academic interests and on the availability of appropriate positions and are carried out under the supervision of a Biology faculty member who serves as co-op advisor.  Work semesters are followed by participation in the Biology Cooperative Education Seminar.

Grade Requirements


Majors must earn a C or above in BIOL 2120  and BIOL 2130  before taking other Biology courses.  Any student who earns less than a C may retake the course once, for a total of two attempts.  After twice receiving a grade below C in BIOL 2120 , BIOL 2130 , or BIOL 2140L , students may not enroll in the course again and are ineligible for continuation in bachelor degree programs in Biology.  Additionally, students who have two successive semesters with a cumulative GPA in Biology of less than 2.0 are ineligible for continuation in bachelor degree programs in Biology.

Honors Program


For details about the Honors Program in Biology, visit the program page .

Suggested Curriculum


For the suggested course sequence toward completing the major, please see the Academic Plan of Study available online at academics.uncc.edu.  Consultation with an advisor is required.

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