;

Bachelor of Science Degree - Biology - Organismal Biology Option

Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biology with Organismal Biology Option is a major within the School of Applied Sciences. If you have questions regarding this program, please contact dsu.hawk@dickinsonstate.edu or call 1-800-279-HAWK.

Degree Requirements:

  • General Education Courses
  • Core Curriculum
  • Option(s) Courses

Student A student successfully completing the Biology Major will be able to:

  1. Integrate scientific knowledge from biology, chemistry, and physics. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes IV, V, VI, and VII.)
  2. Design experiments and analyze data. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes III, IV, V, VI, and VII.)
  3. Communicate through writing and communicate orally successfully. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcome VII.)
  4. Comprehend the scientific method. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes III, IV, V, VI, and VII.)

Career Options

Why should you pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree – Biology: Organismal Biology Option?

The organismal biology option of this bachelor’s degree in biology prepares students for careers related to plants and animals. The coursework teaches science content knowledge, critical thinking skills, and the research skills needed to start a career as a zoologist, botanist, ecologist, wildlife specialist, and so much more. This program also prepares students to attend graduate school to gain additional education related to organismal biology.

Possible Career Paths

  • Zoologist
  • Botanist
  • Ecologist
  • Wildlife Specialist

Requirements

Biology Core Curriculum

In order to graduate, a minimum 2.30 cumulative science GPA is required in fulfillment of a natural science degree or minor as well as ENGL 110, ENGL 120, and COMM 110.

BIOL 150General Biology I

3

BIOL 150LGeneral Biology I Lab

1

BIOL 151General Biology II

3

BIOL 151LGeneral Biology II Lab

1

BIOL 170General Zoology

3

BIOL 170LGeneral Zoology Lab

1

BIOL 254Introduction to Botany

4

BIOL 305General Microbiology

4

BIOL 315Genetics

4

BIOL 405Biometry

3

BIOL 459Evolution

3

BIOL 390Biology Research I

1

BIOL 490Biology Research II

1

BIOL 491Biology Seminar

1

CHEM 121General Chemistry I

4

CHEM 121LGeneral Chemistry Lab I

1

CHEM 122General Chemistry II

4

CHEM 122LGeneral Chemistry Lab II

1

SCNC 291Sophomore Science Seminar

1

SCNC 389Scientific Writings and Readings

2

Total Credit Hours:46


MATH 165, MATH 166: (strongly recommended) especially if considering professional or graduate school studies.

Organismal Biology Option

This program prepares students for careers related to plants and animals. The coursework teaches the science content knowledge, the critical thinking skills, and the research skills needed to start a career as a zoologist, botanist, ecologist, wildlife specialist, and so much more. This program also prepares students to attend graduate school to gain additional education related to organismal biology.

BIOL 250Wildlife Management

3

BIOL 415Ecology

4

BIOL 425Animal Behavior

3

GIS 380Applied Arc GIS

3

Total Credit Hours:13

Select Three of the Following Science Electives:

BIOL 410Animal Physiology

4

BIOL 454Plant Physiology

4

BIOL 455Soil Microbiology

3

RNG 350Range Plants and Communities

3

RNG 458Rangeland Ecology

3

SOIL 210Introduction to Soil Science

4

PLSC 323Principles Of Weed Science

3

Total Credit Hours:9-12

Select a Year of College or University Physics OR a Year of Organic Chemistry

CHEM 341Organic Chemistry I

4

CHEM 341LOrganic Chemistry Lab I

1

CHEM 342Organic Chemistry II

4

CHEM 342LOrganic Chemistry Lab II

1

PHYS 211College Physics I

3

PHYS 211LCollege Physics I Lab

1

PHYS 212College Physics II

3

PHYS 212LCollege Physics II Lab

1

PHYS 251University Physics I

4

PHYS 251LUniversity Physics I Lab

1

PHYS 252University Physics II

4

PHYS 252LUniversity Physics II Lab

1

Total Credit Hours:8-10

Total Credit Hours:76-81

Semester Sequence

First Semester

CHEM 121General Chemistry I

4

CHEM 121LGeneral Chemistry Lab I

1

ENGL 110College Composition I

3

MATH 103College Algebra

4

UNIV 100Freshman Seminar

1

General Education General Education

3

Total Credit Hours:16

Second Semester

BIOL 150General Biology I

3

BIOL 150LGeneral Biology I Lab

1

CHEM 122General Chemistry II

4

CHEM 122LGeneral Chemistry Lab II

1

ENGL 120College Composition II

3

General Education General Education

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Third Semester

BIOL 151General Biology II

3

BIOL 151LGeneral Biology II Lab

1

BIOL 254Introduction to Botany

4

BIOL 305General Microbiology

4

SCNC 291Sophomore Science Seminar

1

General Education General Education

3

Total Credit Hours:16

Fourth Semester

BIOL 170General Zoology

3

BIOL 170LGeneral Zoology Lab

1

BIOL 315Genetics

4

General Education General Education

3

General Education General Education

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Fifth Semester

BIOL 459Evolution

3

SCNC 389Scientific Writings and Readings

2

Science Elective Science Elective

3

General Education General Education

3

Electives

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Sixth Semester

BIOL 250Wildlife Management

3

BIOL 390Biology Research I

1

BIOL 410Animal Physiology

4

BIOL 415Ecology

4

General Education General Education

3

Total Credit Hours:15

BIOL 250, BIOL 410 and  BIOL 415 are offered Spring, Odd Years.

Seventh Semester

BIOL 405Biometry

3

BIOL 490Biology Research II

1

CHEM 341Organic Chemistry I

4

 

CHEM 341LOrganic Chemistry Lab I

1

Or

PHYS 211College Physics I

3

PHYS 211LCollege Physics I Lab

1

Or

PHYS 251University Physics I

4

PHYS 251LUniversity Physics I Lab

1

GIS 380Applied Arc GIS

3

Electives

3

Total Credit Hours:14-15
Take BIOL 440 Fall, Odd Years or complete BIOL 410.

Eighth Semester

BIOL 425Animal Behavior

3

BIOL 454Plant Physiology

4

BIOL 455Soil Microbiology

3

BIOL 491Biology Seminar

1

CHEM 342Organic Chemistry II

4

 

CHEM 342LOrganic Chemistry Lab II

1

Or

PHYS 212College Physics II

3

PHYS 212LCollege Physics II Lab

1

Or

PHYS 252University Physics II

4

PHYS 252LUniversity Physics II Lab

1

Total Credit Hours:15-16

BIOL 425 and BIOL 455 are offered Spring, Even Years.

BIOL 454 is offered Spring, Odd Years.