Biological Sciences
A Biological Sciences degree is available in a traditional broad-based sequence or in an Environmental Science option.
Environmental Science Option
Environmental Science is characterized by an integrative, multidisciplinary approach to environmental issues of concern to humans. This represents an exciting, rewarding area of science, which requires an especially strong academic background and an ability to think both analytically and comprehensibly.
For students interested in careers that address solving environmental problems, there is the Biological Sciences major with an Environmental option. This rigorous option incorporates balanced studies in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, and earth sciences) with social sciences (economics, political science, and sociology). It also involves technology, business, law, ethics, and human relations and behavior. Students interested in this option should visit with an adviser to obtain the specific requirements. Environmental Science students may not pursue a minor in Biology.
Biological Sciences Education and Comprehensive Science Education Majors
Students interested in Biological Sciences Education or Comprehensive Science Education are encouraged to declare a double major in the discipline and in education (i.e., Biological Sciences Education and Biological Sciences). Such double majors may be earned by successful completion of a few additional credits. Students should contact advisers in Biological Sciences for details.
Students who intend to teach life sciences in the secondary schools should make their intentions known to the School of Education and consult with a biology education adviser in the Department of Biological Sciences early in their programs to make certain that they have a well-designed program and take the professional education courses required for state teacher certification.
The Comprehensive Science Education major is designed to prepare the secondary general science teacher. This major is an especially good preparation for students who may find themselves teaching several different science courses. Information about curriculum and other requirements is available from the School of Education and the education adviser in the Department of Biological Sciences. Biological Sciences Education and Comprehensive Science Education majors cannot pursue a minor in Biology.
Major Requirements
Major: Biological Sciences - Standard
Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 122
General Education Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Experience (F): | ||
| UNIV 189 | Skills For Academic Success (Students transferring in 24 or more credits do not need to take UNIV 189.) | 1 |
| Communication (C): | ||
| ENGL 110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 120 | College Composition II | 3 |
| ENGL 324 | Writing in the Sciences | 3 |
| COMM 110 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning (R): | ||
| STAT 330 | Introductory Statistics | 3 |
| Science & Technology (S): | 10 | |
| The 10 credits required in the Science and Technology category will be fulfilled with requirements of the major. | ||
| Humanities & Fine Arts (A): Select from current general education list | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (B): Select from current general education list | 6 | |
| Wellness (W): Select from current general education list | 2 | |
| Cultural Diversity (D): Select from current general education list | ||
| Global Perspectives (G): Select from current general education list | ||
| Total Credits | 40 | |
College Requirements
Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree – An additional 6 credits in Humanities or Social Sciences*
Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree – An additional 12 credits Humanities and Social Sciences* and proficiency at the second year level in a modern foreign language.
| * | Humanities and Social Sciences may be fulfilled by any course having the following prefix: ADHM, ANTH, ARCH, ART, CJ, CLAS, COMM, ECON, ENGL, FREN, GEOG, GERM, HDFS, HIST, LA, LANG, MUSC, PHIL, POLS, PSYC, RELS, SOC, SPAN, THEA, WGS, or any course from the approved list of general education courses in humanities and social sciences (general education categories A and B). These credits must come from outside the department of the student’s major. |
Major Requirements
Except for courses offered only as pass/fail grading, no course may be taken Pass/Fail
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 40 | |
| Science and Mathematics College Requirements | 6-12 | |
| Biological Sciences Core Requirements - Standard Option | ||
| BIOL 150 & 150L | General Biology I and General Biology I Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 151 & 151L | General Biology II and General Biology II Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 359 | Evolution | 3 |
| BIOL 491 | Seminar | 2 |
| BIOL 315 & 315L | Genetics and Genetics Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL/ZOO 364 | General Ecology | 3 |
| ZOO 370 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Plant Systematics | ||
| Structure and Diversity of Plants and Fungi | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Plant Ecology | ||
| Electives: Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Vertebrate Histology | ||
| Animal Physiology | ||
| Endocrinology | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Plant Systematics | ||
| Structure and Diversity of Plants and Fungi | ||
| Comparative Chordate Morphology | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Invertebrate Zoology | ||
| Ichthyology | ||
| Herpetology | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Ecotoxicology | ||
| Wetland Science | ||
| Plant Ecology | ||
| Antibiotic Drug Discovery | ||
| Hormones and Behavior | ||
| Physiological Ecology | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Wildlife Ecology and Management | ||
| Wildlife and Fisheries Management Techniques | ||
| Related Required Courses | ||
| Chemistry: | ||
| CHEM 121 & 121L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 122 & 122L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | 4 |
| Math: | ||
| MATH 146 | Applied Calculus I | 4 |
| Physics: | ||
| PHYS 211 & 211L | College Physics I and College Physics I Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 212 & 212L | College Physics II and College Physics II Laboratory | 4 |
| Organic Chemistry & Biochemistry: Select one of the following groups: | 7-10 | |
Group One: | ||
| Survey of Organic Chemistry | ||
| Elements of Biochemistry | ||
Group Two: | ||
| Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Foundations of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I | ||
| Earth Science: Select 2 from the following: | 6-8 | |
| Physical Geology and Physical Geology Lab | ||
| The Earth Through Time and The Earth Through Time Lab | ||
| Introduction to Soil Science | ||
| Introduction to Meteorology & Climatology | ||
| Degree Requirements: Potential 15 credits to reach 122 | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 122-134 | |
Department Requirements
- Students may not minor in biology with this major
Major Requirements
Major: Biological Sciences - Environmental Science Option
Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 122
General Education Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Experience (F): | ||
| UNIV 189 | Skills For Academic Success (Students transferring in 24 or more credits do not need to take UNIV 189.) | 1 |
| Communication (C): | ||
| ENGL 110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 120 | College Composition II | 3 |
| ENGL 324 | Writing in the Sciences | 3 |
| COMM 110 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning (R): | ||
| STAT 330 | Introductory Statistics | 3 |
| Science & Technology (S): | 10 | |
| The 10 credits required in the Science and Technology category will be fulfilled with requirements of the major. | ||
| Humanities & Fine Arts (A): Select from current general education list | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (B): Select from current general education list | 6 | |
| Wellness (W): Select from current general education list | 2 | |
| Cultural Diversity (D): Select from current general education list | ||
| Global Perspectives (G): Select from current general education list | ||
| Total Credits | 40 | |
College Requirements
Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree – An additional 6 credits in Humanities or Social Sciences*
Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree – An additional 12 credits Humanities and Social Sciences* and proficiency at the second year level in a modern foreign language.
| * | Humanities and Social Sciences may be fulfilled by any course having the following prefix: ADHM, ANTH, ARCH, ART, CJ, CLAS, COMM, ECON, ENGL, FREN, GEOG, GERM, HDFS, HIST, LA, LANG, MUSC, PHIL, POLS, PSYC, RELS, SOC, SPAN, THEA, WGS, or any course from the approved list of general education courses in humanities and social sciences (general education categories A and B). These credits must come from outside the department of the student’s major. |
Major Requirements
Except for courses offered only as pass/fail grading, no course may be taken Pass/Fail.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 40 | |
| Science and Mathematics College Requirements | 6-12 | |
| Biological Sciences Core Requirements - Environmental Science Option | ||
| BIOL 150 & 150L | General Biology I and General Biology I Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 151 & 151L | General Biology II and General Biology II Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 359 | Evolution | 3 |
| BIOL 491 | Seminar | 2 |
| BIOL 315 & 315L | Genetics and Genetics Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL/ZOO 364 | General Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 480 | Ecotoxicology | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Plant Systematics | ||
| Structure and Diversity of Plants and Fungi | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Intermediate Genetics | ||
| Range Plants | ||
| Plant Ecology | ||
| Electives: Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Intermediate Genetics | ||
| Cell Biology | ||
| Vertebrate Histology | ||
| Animal Physiology | ||
| Endocrinology | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Plant Systematics | ||
| Structure and Diversity of Plants and Fungi | ||
| Comparative Chordate Morphology | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Invertebrate Zoology | ||
| Ichthyology | ||
| Herpetology | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Mammalogy | ||
| Wetland Science | ||
| Range Plants | ||
| Plant Ecology | ||
| Antibiotic Drug Discovery | ||
| Hormones and Behavior | ||
| Physiological Ecology | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Wildlife Ecology and Management | ||
| Wildlife and Fisheries Management Techniques | ||
| Related Required Courses | ||
| Earth Sciences: | ||
| GEOL 105 & 105L | Physical Geology and Physical Geology Lab | 4 |
| GEOL 106 & 106L | The Earth Through Time and The Earth Through Time Lab | 4 |
| SOIL 217 | Introduction to Meteorology & Climatology | 3 |
| SOIL 410 | Soils and Land Use | 3 |
| Chemistry: | ||
| CHEM 121 & 121L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 122 & 122L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | 4 |
| Select one from the following: | 3-5 | |
| Analytical Chemistry I and Analytical Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Geochemistry | ||
| Select one of the following groups: | 7-10 | |
Group One: | ||
| Survey of Organic Chemistry | ||
| Elements of Biochemistry | ||
Group Two: | ||
| Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Foundations of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I | ||
| Math: | ||
| MATH 146 | Applied Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 147 | Applied Calculus II | 4 |
| Physics: | ||
| PHYS 211 & 211L | College Physics I and College Physics I Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 212 & 212L | College Physics II and College Physics II Laboratory | 4 |
| Total Credits | 122-134 | |
Program notes
- Students may not minor in biology with this major
Minor Requirements
Biological Sciences Minor
Minor Requirements
Required Credits: 17
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| BIOL 150 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 150L | General Biology I Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 151 | General Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 151L | General Biology II Laboratory | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Plant Systematics | ||
| Structure and Diversity of Plants and Fungi | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Plant Ecology | ||
| Electives | Department approved 300-400 level courses | 6 |
| Total Credits | 17 | |
Minor Requirements and Notes
- A minimum of 8 credits must be taken at NDSU.
- Botany and Zoology majors may not minor in Biological Sciences.
