Program Overview

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Integrative Biology, BSLAS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Integrative Biology

The School of Integrative Biology (SIB) provides interdisciplinary training to prepare students for 21st-century scientific roles. The SIB community collaborates extensively on both research and teaching, leading to multi-disciplinary courses grounded in active learning and highly transferable, higher-order processing skills. Students build laboratory skills spanning from tall grass prairie restoration to modern genome-editing techniques.

Program Description

The IB curriculum includes preparation in genomics and evolution; comparative anatomy, physiology, and development; ecology and behavior; phylogenetic systematics and molecular biology; and mathematical modeling and informatics. Graduates are well-equipped for a broad range of careers in fields including healthcare, biotechnology, genetic counseling, wildlife management, and environmental sciences.

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
• Minimum required major and supporting course work: Normally equates to 66-75 hours.
• Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Course List

• Composition I: 4-6 hours
• Advanced Composition: 3 hours
• Humanities & the Arts: 6 hours
• Natural Sciences & Technology: 6 hours
• Social & Behavioral Sciences: 6 hours
• Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures: 3 hours
• Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures: 3 hours
• Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures: 3 hours
• Quantitative Reasoning: 6-10 hours
• Language Requirement: Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required

Major Core Requirements and Electives

• IB 150: Organismal & Evolutionary Biology: 4 hours
• MCB 150: Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life: 4 hours
• MATH 220: Calculus: 4-5 hours
• Select one group of courses:
  • CHEM 102: General Chemistry I: 3 hours
  • CHEM 103: General Chemistry Lab I: 1 hour
  • CHEM 104: General Chemistry II: 3 hours
  • CHEM 105: General Chemistry Lab II: 1 hour
  • or
  • CHEM 202: Accelerated Chemistry I: 3 hours
  • CHEM 203: Accelerated Chemistry Lab I: 1 hour
  • CHEM 204: Accelerated Chemistry II: 3 hours
  • CHEM 205: Accelerated Chemistry Lab II: 1 hour
• Select one group of courses:
  • CHEM 232: Elementary Organic Chemistry I: 4 hours
  • CHEM 233: Elementary Organic Chem Lab I: 2 hours
  • or
  • CHEM 236: Fundamental Organic Chem I: 4 hours
  • CHEM 237: Structure and Synthesis: 2 hours
• Select one group of courses:
  • PHYS 101: College Physics: Mech & Heat: 5 hours
  • PHYS 102: College Physics: E&M & Modern: 5 hours
  • or
  • PHYS 211: University Physics: Mechanics: 5 hours
  • PHYS 212: University Physics: Elec & Mag: 5 hours
• STAT 212: Biostatistics: 3 hours
• IB 202: Physiology: 4 hours
• IB 203: Ecology: 4 hours
• IB 204: Genetics: 4 hours
• IB 302: Evolution: 4 hours
• Advanced Free Elective: 3 hours
• Integrative Biology Advanced Area Courses: 15-20 hours

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals.

First Year

• First Semester:
  • LAS 101: 1 hour
  • IB 150: 4 hours
  • CHEM 102: 3 hours
  • CHEM 103: 1 hour
  • Language Other than English (3rd level): 4 hours
  • Composition I or MATH 220: 4-5 hours
• Second Semester:
  • MCB 150: 4 hours
  • CHEM 104: 3 hours
  • CHEM 105: 1 hour
  • Language Other than English (4th level): 4 hours
  • MATH 220 or Composition I: 5-4 hours

Second Year

• First Semester:
  • IB 203: 4 hours
  • IB 204: 4 hours
  • CHEM 232: 4 hours
  • General Education course: 3 hours
• Second Semester:
  • IB 202: 4 hours
  • IB 302: 4 hours
  • CHEM 233: 2 hours
  • STAT 212: 3 hours

Third Year

• First Semester:
  • Advanced IB course: 3 hours
  • PHYS 101: 5 hours
  • General Education course: 3 hours
  • General Education course: 3 hours
• Second Semester:
  • Advanced IB Course: 4 hours
  • PHYS 102: 5 hours
  • General Education course: 3 hours
  • General Education course: 3 hours

Fourth Year

• First Semester:
  • Advanced IB Course: 4 hours
  • Advanced IB Course: 3 hours
  • General Education course: 3 hours
  • Free elective course: 3 hours
  • Free elective course: 3 hours
• Second Semester:
  • Advanced IB Course: 4 hours
  • General Education course: 3 hours
  • Free elective course: 3 hours
  • Free elective course: 3 hours

Learning Outcomes

By the time they graduate, an Integrative Biology major should be able to:

1. Synthesize and apply core knowledge in Integrative Biology, including anatomy, development, ecology, evolution, genetics, molecular biology, physiology, and/or systematics.
2. Apply predictive models to biological phenomena and engage with the process of scientific inquiry.
3. Critically evaluate and communicate complex, dynamic scientific information.
4. Employ curiosity, inquiry, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking in problem solving.
5. Create solutions for global and local biological challenges using interdisciplinary strategies.
6. Develop professional skills including ethics, proficiency in oral and written scientific communication, data analysis and interpretation, collaboration, and the ability to critically evaluate science-related news and information.

Distinction for Excellence in Research

Students are eligible for graduation at the following levels: Distinction, High Distinction, or Highest Distinction. To be eligible for graduation with Distinction for Excellence in Research, a student must:

• Be enrolled as an Integrative Biology or Integrative Biology Honors major
• Have a completed distinction evaluation form submitted by their Faculty Research Advisor
• Maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA within the major at the end of the penultimate semester
• To be eligible for Distinction, students must give a poster presentation at the SIB Distinction Symposium or other approved venue
• To be eligible for High or Highest Distinction, students must submit a written thesis and give an oral presentation at the SIB Distinction Symposium or other approved venue
• Finally, all students regardless of Distinction level must either:
  1. Complete two or more semesters of IB 390/IB 490 for 2-credit hours or more each semester.
  2. Complete at least 180 hours of mentored research. The research experience must last a minimum of 20 weeks and students should enroll in one semester of IB 490 for a minimum of 1-credit hour prior to or during the semester they intend to graduate.