Biological Sciences

College of Natural Science and Mathematics
Department of Biology and Wildlife
907-474-7671
www.bw.uaf.edu

B.A., B.S., Ph.D. Degrees; Minor

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Minimum Requirements for Degrees: 130 credits

The biological sciences program provides a broad education and sound foundation in the basic principles of biology. Students who major in biological sciences may pursue either a B.A. or B.S. degree. The B.A. requires fewer credits in the major field than the B.S., but it gives greater emphasis in the social sciences and humanities and allows a greater breadth of subject matter.

The B.S. degree includes a foundation in the basic sciences and stronger requirements within the biological sciences than the B.A. Candidates who expect to teach in public secondary schools must be sure that they meet education requirements.

Major -- B.A. Degree

  1. Complete the general university requirements. (As part of the core curriculum requirements, complete: CHEM F105X* and F106X*.)
  2. Complete the B.A. degree requirements.
  3. Complete the following program (major) requirements:*
    BIOL F115X--Fundamentals of Biology I--4 credits
    BIOL F116X--Fundamentals of Biology II--4 credits
    BIOL F261--Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology--4 credits
    BIOL F271--Principles of Ecology--4 credits
    BIOL F303--Principles of Metabolism and Biochemistry (4)
         or CHEM F321--Organic Chemistry (3)
         and CHEM F322--Organic Chemistry (3)--4 - 6 credits
    BIOL F310--Animal Physiology (4)
         or BIOL F111X and F112X--Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II (8)
         or BIOL F334W--Structure and Function of Vascular Plants (4)
         or BIOL F342--Microbiology (4)--4 - 8 credits
    BIOL F362--Principles of Genetics--4 credits
    BIOL F481--Principles of Evolution--4 credits
    PHYS F103X--College Physics--4 credits
    STAT F200X--Elementary Probability and Statistics--3 credits
  4. Minimum credits required--130 credits

Major -- B.S. Degree

  1. Complete the general university requirements. (As part of the core curriculum requirements, complete: MATH F200X* or MATH F272X*; and CHEM F105X* and F106X*.)
  2. Complete the B.S. degree requirements. (As part of the B.S. degree requirements, complete STAT F200X* or STAT F300*. Biology foundation courses may be used toward partial fulfillment of the natural science requirement.)
  3. Complete the following program (major) requirements:*
    1. Complete the following:
      BIOL F115X--Fundamentals of Biology I--4 credits
      BIOL F116X--Fundamentals of Biology II--4 credits
      BIOL F261--Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology--4 credits
      BIOL F271--Principles of Ecology--4 credits
      BIOL F303--Principles of Metabolism and Biochemistry (4)
           or CHEM F321--Organic Chemistry (3)
           and CHEM F322--Organic Chemistry (3)--4 - 6 credits
      BIOL F310--Animal Physiology (4)
           or BIOL F111X and F112X--Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II (8)
           or BIOL F334W--Structure and Function in Vascular Plants (4)
           or BIOL F342--Microbiology (4)--4 - 8 credits
      BIOL F362--Principles of Genetics--4 credits
      BIOL F481--Principles of Evolution--4 credits
      PHYS F103X and PHYS F104X--College Physics (8)
           or PHYS F211X and PHYS F212X--General Physics--8 credits
    2. Complete biology electives**--20 credits
  4. Minimum credits required--130 credits

* Student must earn a C grade or better in each course.

** A maximum of 6 credits of independent study (course numbers ending in 97) may be applied to this requirement. Students may petition to substitute chemistry courses (up to 10 credits for the biology electives required for the B.S. degree.)

Note: A foreign language is encouraged by the department in meeting requirements of the core curriculum.

Note: Biology foundation courses may be used toward partial fulfillment of the natural science requirement for the B.S. degree with a major in biological sciences.

Note: Candidates for the bachelor of science degree in general science wishing to major in biological sciences must satisfy both the requirements of their major curriculum and those listed above for a B.A. degree with a major in biological sciences.

Requirements for Biology Teachers (grades 7 - 12)*

  1. Complete all the requirements of the biological sciences B.A. or B.S. degree.
  2. Complete the following:
    BIOL F310--Animal Physiology (4)
         or BIOL F111X and BIOL F112X--Human Anatomy and Physiology (8)--4 - 8 credits
    BIOL F239--Introduction to Plant Biology (4)
         or BIOL F334--Structure and Function in Vascular Plants (4)--4 credits
    BIOL F342--Microbiology--4 credits
  3. Complete one of the following:
    BIOL F305--Invertebrate Zoology (5)
         or BIOL F406--Entomology (4)
         or BIOL F425--Mammalogy (3)
         or BIOL F426W,O/2--Ornithology (3)
         or BIOL F427--Ichthyology (4)--3 - 5 credits
  4. Complete the following:
    PHIL F481--Philosophy of Science (3)--3 credits

* We strongly recommend that prospective secondary science teachers seek advising from the UAF School of Education early in your undergraduate degree program, so that you can be appropriately advised of the state of Alaska requirements for teacher licensure. You will apply for admission to the UAF School of Education's post-baccalaureate teacher preparation program, a one-year intensive program, during your senior year. Above requirements apply to all candidates who apply to the UAF School of Education Spring 2006 or later, for licensure in biology.

Minor*

  1. Complete the following:
    BIOL F115X--Fundamentals of Biology I--4 credits
    BIOL F116X--Fundamentals of Biology II--4 credits
  2. Complete three of the following:
    BIOL F310--Animal Physiology (4)
         or BIOL F111X and F112X--Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II (8)--4 - 8 credits
    BIOL F271--Principles of Ecology--4 credits
    BIOL F303--Principles of Metabolism and Biochemistry--4 credits
    BIOL F334W--Structure and Function in Vascular Plants--4 credits
    BIOL F342--Microbiology--4 credits
    BIOL F362--Principles of Genetics--4 credits
    BIOL F481--Principles of Evolution--4 credits
  3. Minimum credits required--20 credits