Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Biology

The Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Biology is a comprehensive program that offers various concentrations, including Genetics.

Program Overview

The Genetics Concentration is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of genetics and genomics, which are shaping our understanding of humans and the world around them. Students will dive into cutting-edge topics like developments in human genetics, molecular biology, biometry, genomics, and bioinformatics. They will also have access to specialty courses and hands-on lab experiences tailored to a variety of interests.

Quick Facts

• Delivery: On Campus
• Credits: 120
• Pre-Genetics Counseling Program
• Can Pair with Other Concentrations
• State of the Art Labs and Facilities
• Perform Novel Research
• Genetics-Specific Financial Assistance Opportunities

Program Benefits

Research Opportunities

Students have the opportunity to engage in authentic research by working alongside expert faculty in their labs. Since genetics touches many sub-disciplines of biology, students could conduct research in almost any Biology faculty member's lab, or even faculty associated with the Medical Education Center at Ball State.

Laboratories and Advanced Equipment

Students will have access to authentic labs and equipment that they will use in their career or in graduate school, including pipetting equipment, incubators, autoclaves, fluorescent readers, and more. They will also utilize tools such as sophisticated confocal and electron microscopy, laser technologies, flow cytometry, and advanced genomic analyses to solve real research problems.

Student Organizations

The Department of Biology is home to several academic clubs that provide an opportunity to connect with other students in the concentration for support, professional development opportunities, and academic discussion. Some of the student organizations include:

• The Ball State University Genetics Club
• The Ball State University Pre-Genetic Counseling Club
• The Ball State University chapter of the American Society for Microbiology

Small Class Sizes

The low student-to-professor ratio and small class sizes give students personalized attention from faculty, who are world-class experts in their disciplines.

Program Requirements

The concentration in genetics fulfills part of the requirements that lead to a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree with a major in biology. All biology majors must also complete the biology core curriculum and the University Core Curriculum.

Credits Required

• Total to Graduate: 120
• Biology Core Curriculum: 37-38
• Genetics Concentration: 30
• University Core Curriculum: 66-70

Courses

Biology Core

All biology majors in every concentration are required to complete a core curriculum in biology that is separate from the concentration requirements and from the University Core Curriculum. The foundational courses provide students with an overview of the principles in biology and develop a necessary competency in chemistry, physics, and math.

• Biology Core Courses: 18 credits
  • BIO 111 – Principles of Biology 1
  • BIO 112 – Principles of Biology 2
  • BIO 201 - Symposium
  • BIO 214 – Genetics
  • BIO 216 – Ecology
  • One of the following:
    • BIO 314 – Methods in Genetics
    • BIO 315 – Methods in Cell Biology
    • BIO 316 – Methods in Ecology
• Other Required Courses: 18-20 credits
  • CHEM 111 – General Chemistry 1
  • CHEM 112 – General Chemistry 2
  • PHYC 110 – General Physics 1
  • One of the following:
    • CHEM 230 – Organic Chemistry for the Life Sciences AND CHEM 241 – Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1
    • CHEM 231 – Organic Chemistry 1 AND CHEM 241 – Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1
  • One of the following:
    • MATH 112 – Precalculus Trigonometry
    • MATH 114 – Precalculus Trigonometry (accelerated 8 week course)
    • MATH 161 – Applied Calculus 1
    • MATH 165 – Calculus 1

Concentration

The courses students will take to complete the genetics concentration are:

• BIO 215 – Cell Biology
• BIO 314 – Methods in Genetics
• BIO 448 – Biometry
• BIO 452 – Advanced Genetics
• BIO 453 – Human Genetics
• BIO 454 – Genomics and Proteomics
• BIO 457 – Molecular Biology
• MATH 161 – Applied Calculus 1
• 5 credits from the 200-400 level of biology, biotechnology, botany, or zoology

Meet the Biology Faculty Who Teach in this Concentration

The faculty members who teach in the Genetics Concentration include:

• Trevor Chamberlain
• Rob Denton
• Gen Mager
• James Olesen
• Eric (VJ) Rubenstein
• Chinmay Tikhe
• Paul Venturelli