The Department of Biological Sciences offers programs for students preparing for careers in education, laboratory and field research, biotechnology, environmental sciences, clinical laboratory sciences, cytotechnology, food science technology and pre-professional programs including pre-agriculture, pre-forestry, pre-medicine, and pre-veterinary medicine.
The biology major offers a core program intended to develop a common background in biology and additional upper level courses designed to provide specialized options. Students typically take a broad based general biology major or an emphasis in one of the following: general biology, bio-business, cytotechnology, ecology, human biology, microbiology, physiology, plant science, toxicology, or zoology.
Admission to Major: Admission to Biology (B.S.) major is granted by the department. The necessary forms for admission to the major are available through the department or the College Advising Office. Admission requirements are 32 earned semester credit hours including BIOL 105 and 106, with a grade of a "C" or better in both BIOL 105 and 106; and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
P/N Grading Policy: All courses leading to a major or a minor in biology must be taken for letter grades. Any exception to this policy must be approved by the chairperson of the department.
Scholarships: Several biology scholarships are available for entering freshmen and currently enrolled MSU students who meet the requirements. Application deadline is March 31 of each year.
Biology (B.S.) Options: Students may elect to complete the general non-specialized biology major or select one of the alternative specialized options or emphases.
Choose two courses from the following:
One physiology course [Biol 230 (4), Biol 431 (4), Biol 441 (4), or Biol 476 (5)]
Choose two courses from the following:
BIOL 301 BIOL 316 BIOL 403 BIOL 408 BIOL 418 BIOL 430 BIOL 435 BIOL 436 BIOL 442 BIOL 443 BIOL 451 BIOL 452
Additional upper division electives:
Choose additional Biology 300-400 level courses to total 40 credits in this option.
Required Minor: Yes. Chemistry.
A cytotechnologist is an allied health professional and is involved in the microscopic study of cells for evidence of disease and cancer. Cytotechnologists are trained to accurately identify precancerous, malignant, and infectious conditions using cytological techniques. The "Pap test" (an evaluation of cells from the uterine cervix) is the best known test in this field. The four-year curriculum consists of three years spent at the university completing the required courses and the fourth year is a 32 credit internship spent in professional education at Mayo School of health-Related Sciences in Rochester, MN or Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, IA. The BS degree is awarded by the university after successful completion of the internship year. Graduates are then eligible to take the certifying examination. Cytotechnologists are employed in hospital laboratories, universities, and private laboratories in the areas of research, education, and administration.
Cytogenetics is the specialized area of laboratory medicine involving the study of normal and abnormal chromosomes and their relationship to human disease. Cytogenetic technologists analyze chromosomes using tissue cultures and preparations from peripheral blood, bone marrow, amniotic fluid, products of conception, and tumor samples. Cytogenetic technologists use fluorescent-labeled DNA to detect chromosome abnormalities associated with birth defects, retardation, infertility, miscarriage, and cancers. Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization or FISH has become the most rapidly growing area in cytogenetics. The four-year curriculum consists of three years spent at the University completing the required courses and the fourth year is a 32-credit internship spent in professional education at Mayo School of Health Sciences in Rochester, MN. Admission into the fourth-year hospital clinical internship is competitive. Therefore, admission to the program does not ensure placement into the fourth-year internship. The BS degree is awarded by the university after successful completion of the internship year. Graduates are then eligible to take the certifying examination. Cytogenetic technologists are employed in hospitals, clinical laboratories, research laboratories, and cytogenetic-related biotechnology companies.
Math 112 College Algebra or any higher numbered math (4 credits)
Choose from the following to total at least 18 credits in Chemistry:
Required Minor: None
Special permission required for enrollment Clinical Internship at Mayo School of Health Sciences in Rochester, MN or Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, IA
Ecology is the study of relationships between organisms and their environment. The option consists of fundamental courses in biology and related sciences, mid-level study in genetics, evolution, and statistics, and an array of upper-division electives that emphasize fieldwork, data analysis, and writing. Many students collaborate with faculty in their research or conduct independent research projects. Career titles available with this option include ecologist, naturalist, wildlife biologist, natural resource manager, first biologist, marine biologist, conservational training or graduate school. For more information about the option and the ecology faculty, select "ecology" at the department page (see the Biological Sciences page).
Choose one:
Choose one:
Choose one letter:
BIOL 499# and others by consent of advisor.
#Limit of 4 credits total from these courses.
The purpose of this option is to prepare the student for a career in biomedicine. The option fulfills the science course requirements for most medical, osteopathic, dental, and chiropractic schools as will as the science course requirements for graduate education in biomedicine. If you are interested in applying of a specific medical school, please contact that school for their specific requirements.
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Choose one to complete one year of a Physics sequence:
Choose one:
Choose electives from the following to total 40 credits in Biology:
Choose at least one:
BIOL 316 BIOL 420 BIOL 430 BIOL 433 BIOL 435 BIOL 452 BIOL 474 BIOL 475 BIOL 479 BIOL 497# BIOL 499#
# Choose a maximum of 4 credits from these courses
BIOL 324 BIOL 410 BIOL 417 BIOL 418 BIOL 434 BIOL 438 BIOL 474 BIOL 460 BIOL 466
Required Minor: Yes. Chemistry.
Microorganisms impact every area of life. The option exposes students to a variety of topics in microbiology and teaches numerous skills needed to work with microorganisms. Training in microbiology prepares students for employment in industry (ex. quality assurance, vaccine production) and government (ex. laboratory technicians). Currently, employment opportunities abound in applied areas of microbiology such as biological products/pharmaceuticals, food processing, environmental assessment. It also prepares a student for continuing education in microbiology, immunology, and cell and molecular biology. Students may elect to work on research projects with faculty who work in the areas of food microbiology, immunology, microbial genetics, and molecular biology.
Choose one from the following:
Choose electives from the following to total 40 credits in Biology:
BIOL 420 BIOL 452 BIOL 472 BIOL 474 BIOL 475 BIOL 476 BIOL 478 BIOL 479 BIOL 499
The Plant Biology option includes the study of cells, genetics, anatomy, physiology, taxonomy, and ecology of terrestrial and aquatic vascular plants, mosses, algae and fungi. The option emphasizes plant structure and function, diversity, evolutionary and anatomical adaptations and interactions between plants and their environment. An option in plant sciences prepares undergraduate students for careers in education, biotechnology, field biology, pharmaceutical companies and government agencies. In addition, the option prepares students for Master's and Doctoral degrees in Plant Science.
Choose one:
Choose one:
BIOL 301 BIOL 320 BIOL 430 BIOL 404 BIOL 409 BIOL 410 BIOL 412 BIOL 432 BIOL 440 BIOL 443 BIOL 445 BIOL 451 BIOL 460 BIOL 479 BIOL 492† BIOL 497† BIOL 499†
† Limit of 4 credits total from these courses
Toxicology is the study of the harmful effects of chemicals, radiation, and other stressors on biological systems. This is a wide-ranging course of study, allowing students to connect their background on chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, etc. to understand all aspects of how an exposure may or may not yield a toxic result. Then students can do elementary risk assessment and environmental or medical analyses. The purpose of this option is to train students in the theory and hands-on research techniques of an interdisciplinary biological science at the undergraduate level in a field where there are few programs in the United States. Since toxins can be antibiotics antiviral or other chemotherapeutic medications, antidotes, agricultural chemicals, industrial chemicals, radiation, or just stressors such as poor ergonomics, graduates can and have proceeded into research an testing of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and environmental toxicology in industry, government, or academic institutions. Additionally, training in risk assessments leads to additional opportunities for statistical modeling, which is employed in the areas mentioned above and industrial hygiene.
Recommended Support Courses (0 credits)
Elective Courses (0 credits)
Zoology is a major branch of the biological sciences that involves the study of animals. Study in this area focuses on organismal diversity, animal structures and the functions, genetics, development, evolution, behavior, and ecological interactions. Occupations that may be available to graduate include: Animal Husbandry, Museum/Zoo Guide, Animal Laboratory Technician, Animal Trainer, Pest Control Technician, Museum Curator, Entomologist, Environmental Consultant, Field Researcher, Science Writer, Physician, Veterinarian, Wildlife Rehabilitator, Zoo Keeper, and Zoologist. Advanced training in professional or graduate schools is required in many of these areas and acceptance for advanced training is competitive. Success in this career field typically requires: a thorough knowledge of general biology, the ability to work and relate with animals, proficiency in reading and writing the ability to collect and analyze data, and an interest in problem solving and decision making.
Choose one:
Choose one:
Choose one:
Choose two from the following:
BIOL 320 BIOL 324 BIOL 403 BIOL 408 BIOL 409 BIOL 410 BIOL 412 BIOL 420 BIOL 434 BIOL 435 BIOL 438 BIOL 460 BIOL 472 BIOL 479 BIOL 492# BIOL 497# BIOL 499#
Other electives may apply with advisor's consent.
Choose one course from the following:
BIOL 215 BIOL 217 BIOL 220 BIOL 270
Any 200 level or above course to total 17 credits in the minor.
