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Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences
Program Overview
Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences
About
Biology is the study of life. The earth is filled with an enormous variety of living organisms; therefore, an understanding of the basic biological processes common to all organisms is essential to understanding the world. In recent decades, great strides have been made in understanding important biological processes, particularly those at the molecular, cellular, and ecosystem levels. An understanding of biological systems depends, in part, on the principles of physics and chemistry; thus a firm background in the physical sciences is also important in the study of biology. For many, an undergraduate major in biology (Bachelor of Science (B.S. Degree)) serves as a basis for postgraduate study in the life sciences. School of Life Sciences graduates have gone on to advanced graduate study, leading to careers in college or university teaching, basic and applied research, and public health. Many have entered professional programs in medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry. Other graduates have gone directly into secondary (high school) science teaching, the biomedical industry, independent laboratory research, natural resources management, or environmental education.
The Biological Sciences undergraduate degree program aims to diversely train its students, enabling graduates to pursue careers or advanced degrees in life and health sciences, research, education, industry, or governmental work. Based on their individual interests, students may select from the following concentrations: Biotechnology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Comprehensive Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Education, Integrative Physiology, Microbiology, and Pre-Professional Studies. All biology undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours. Each concentration may require specific upper division courses; therefore the number of upper division electives may vary across concentrations.
Learning Outcomes
All students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences should be able to:
- Understand the nature of scientific knowledge.*
- Understand cell structures and functions.*
- Understand the physical nature of genetic information.*
- Understand that all organisms are genetically related, have evolved, and are evolving.*
- Understand the metabolic complexity of cells and organisms.
- Understand the complex interplay of how organisms respond to and interact with each other and their environment.
- Be able to effectively communicate complex biological concepts, orally and in writing.
- Be able to fulfill their professional goals.
Outcomes marked with an asterisk apply to students graduating with a minor in Biological Sciences.
Career Possibilities
- Careers118.53 KB
Requirements
Biology Core Requirements - Credits: 20
- BIOL 190A - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
- BIOL 190L - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory
- BIOL 191A - Introduction to Organismal Biology
- BIOL 191L - Introduction to Organismal Biology Laboratory
- BIOL 300 - Principles of Genetics
- BIOL 304 - Molecular Genetics
- BIOL 351 - Microbiology
- BIOL 415 - Evolution
Other Required Courses - Credits: 34
- CHEM 121A - General Chemistry I
- CHEM 121L - General Chemistry Laboratory I
- CHEM 122A - General Chemistry II
- CHEM 122L - General Chemistry Laboratory II
- CHEM 241 - Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 241L - Organic Chemistry for Life Sciences Lab I
- CHEM 242 - Organic Chemistry II
- CHEM 242L - Organic Chemistry for Life Sciences Laboratory II
- CHEM 474 - Biochemistry I
- MATH 181 - Calculus I
- STAT 391 - Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences
- STAT 491 - Statistics for Scientists I
- PHYS 151A - General Physics I
- PHYS 151L - General Physics I Lab
- PHYS 152A - General Physics II
- PHYS 152L - General Physics II Lab
Concentrations
Cell and Molecular Biology Concentration - Credits: 24
- CHEM 475 - Biochemistry II
- A minimum of four courses from list below:
- BIOL 405 - Molecular Biology
- BIOL 409 - Virology
- BIOL 425 - Genomics
- BIOL 445 - Cell Physiology
- BIOL 453 - Immunology
- BIOL 460 - Microbial Physiology
- BIOL 464 - Bacterial Pathogenesis
- BIOL 466 - Developmental Biology
- BIOL 470 - Topics in Applied Microbiology
- BIOL 478 - Genetics and Cell Biology of Cancer
- Remaining credits (to total of 24) selected from course focus lists A-C with a minimum of one course from each list A-C.
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Concentration - Credits: 24
- BIOL 341 - Principles of Ecology
- A minimum of three courses from list below:
- BIOL 301 - Fossil Record
- BIOL 305 - Introduction to Conservation Biology
- BIOL 320 - Invertebrate Zoology
- BIOL 412 - Molecular Evolution
- BIOL 418 - Microbial Ecology
- BIOL 427 - Bryology
- BIOL 432 - Herpetology
- BIOL 434 - Mammalogy
- BIOL 438 - Soil Plant Water Relations in Arid Environments
- BIOL 441 - Field Ecology
- BIOL 444 - Principles of Plant Ecology
- BIOL 486 - Animal Behavior
- BIOL 487 - Principles of Systematics
- BIOL 490 - Biogeography
- Remaining credits (to total of 24) selected from course focus lists A-C. Overall minimum of one course from each list A-C
Integrative Physiology Concentration - Credits: 24
- BIOL 445 - Cell Physiology
- Choose two courses from the following:
- BIOL 440 - Mammalian Physiology
- BIOL 442 - Principles of Plant Physiology with Laboratory
- BIOL 447 - Advanced Comparative Animal Physiology
- Remaining credits (to total of 24) selected from course focus lists A-C. Overall minimum of one course from each list A-C
Microbiology Concentration - Credits: 24
- A minimum of three courses from list below:
- BIOL 405 - Molecular Biology
- BIOL 409 - Virology
- BIOL 418 - Microbial Ecology
- BIOL 453 - Immunology
- BIOL 460 - Microbial Physiology
- BIOL 464 - Bacterial Pathogenesis
- BIOL 470 - Topics in Applied Microbiology
- BIOL 485 - Microbial Genetics
- Remaining credits (to total of 24) selected from course focus lists A-C. Overall minimum of one course from each list A-C
Pre-Professional Concentration - Credits: 20
- A minimum of six courses from focus course lists A, B, and C (total of 20 credits) selected from course focus lists A-C. Overall minimum of one course from each list A-C
General Electives - Credits: 6-9
Notes
- It is strongly recommended that students interested in biomedicine or attending graduate school take additional appropriate upper-division biology courses and research units to meet their elective credit requirements.
- Up to 4 credits of BIOL 492 may be used toward concentration total of 24 credits.
- Up to 2 credits total of BIOL 494 and/or BIOL 499 may be used as electives to satisfy 120 credit total.
- At least 40 credits must be earned at the upper-division level (300 and above).
Total Credits: 120
Admission Policies
- Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.50
- Prospective biology majors with a GPA less than 2.50, but at least 2.0, may be admitted on probationary status.
- A student placed on probation must meet with an advisor to design and agree upon a probationary course of study based on the student's previous progress and on established degree program requirements.
Transfer Policies
- Transfer students must have a minimum GPA of 2.50.
- All students are required to meet with an advisor to determine course work that can be used to satisfy degree requirements.
- Biology, chemistry, physics and math transfer courses will be accepted to fill specific degree requirements only with a grade of C or better.
Department Policies
- In addition to the General Education Core requirements, all study courses must include a minimum of 39 credits in the Biological Sciences and satisfy the specific requirements of one of the five concentration areas offered by the department.
- At least 40 credits must be earned at the upper-division level (300 and above).
Advising
- Please see advising information at the UNLV College of Sciences Advising Center.
Accreditation
- For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.
University Graduation Requirements
- Please see Graduation Policies for complete information.
Documents/Downloads
- Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences
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