Program Overview

Introduction to the Biology Program

The Bachelor of Science in Biology is designed to build a foundation in the biological sciences, augment students' learning skills, and assist students in developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills applicable to scientific issues. This degree prepares students for careers in biological sciences and/or graduate programs, as well as professional schools.

Program Goals and Objectives

The goals of the foundational B.S. degree, and the more-specialized M.S. degree, are to prepare biology students for many career options, including laboratory and field technicians, scientific sales representatives, project managers in life science and allied health professions, and teachers at the secondary, community college, and university levels.

Admission Requirements

Students entering the major must have completed:

• Eight semester hours in general chemistry with laboratory
• Four semester hours in organic chemistry with laboratory
• Eight semester hours of biology courses (including general biology with laboratory)
• One college-level mathematics course (college algebra is not recommended as it will not count toward UIS' general education math requirement)

Degree Requirements

Prerequisite Courses

• BIO 141 Unity of Living Organisms (4 hours)
• BIO 241 Biology of Organisms in the Environment (4 hours)
• CHE 141 Principles of Chemistry (4 hours)
• CHE 142 Principles of Inorganic Chemistry (4 hours)
• CHE 267 Organic Chemistry I (3 hours)
• CHE 268 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1 hour)

Core Course Requirements

• BIO 301 General Seminar (3 hours, sophomore or junior year)
• CHE 322 Laboratory Techniques (1 hour, sophomore or junior year)
• BIO 311 Cell Biology (4 hours, suggested spring, junior or senior year)
• BIO 345 & BIO 346 General Microbiology and General Microbiology Lab (4 hours, suggested fall, junior or senior year)
• BIO 351 Organismal Botany (4 hours, suggested fall, junior year)
• BIO 361 Comparative Vertebrate Biology (4 hours, suggested spring, junior year)
• BIO 371 Principles Of Ecology (4 hours, suggested fall, junior year)
• BIO 381 Genetics (4 hours, suggested spring, senior year)
• BIO elective (400- or 500-level, suggested senior year) (4 hours) Total Hours: 32

Biology Minor

A minor in Biology is designed for students who wish to increase their knowledge of biology, acquire a foundation in biological sciences, and develop critical thinking skills. To earn a Biology minor, students must complete a minimum of 24 hours in biology, of which at least eight hours must be upper-division courses taken at UIS.

Core Courses for Minor

• BIO 141 Unity of Living Organisms (4 hours)
• BIO 241 Biology of Organisms in the Environment (4 hours)

Elective Courses for Minor

Select four of the following:

• BIO 311 Cell Biology
• BIO 345 & BIO 346 General Microbiology and General Microbiology Lab
• BIO 347 Medical Bacteriology
• BIO 351 Organismal Botany
• BIO 361 Comparative Vertebrate Biology
• BIO 371 Principles Of Ecology
• BIO 381 Genetics
• BIO 400 ECCE: Undergraduate Research
• BIO 402 Biometrics
• BIO 428 Human Disease
• BIO 429 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIO 431 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
• BIO 444 Aquatic Ecology
• BIO 445 Biology Of Water Pollution
• BIO 446 Restoration Ecology
• BIO 447 Global Change Ecology
• BIO 462 Conservation Biology
• BIO 479 Evolution Total Hours: 24

Undergraduate Honors in Biology

Biology majors with a cumulative GPA greater than 3.25 at UIS may elect to participate in the biology honors option. In addition to Biology Department and UIS requirements, honors students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25, successfully complete BIO 302 Honors Seminar, BIO 402 Biometrics, and BIO 400 ECCE: Undergraduate Research, and present their findings in a formal paper and public seminar.

Internships and Undergraduate Research

Students can gain practical professional experience by participating in an internship through the Internships and Prior Learning (IPL) programs. Placements have included state agencies such as the Illinois State Museum, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Department of Transportation, SIU School of Medicine, and Lincoln Memorial Gardens. Students may also conduct research with Biology faculty members (BIO 400 ECCE: Undergraduate Research). These experiences can count toward a student's ECCE Engagement requirements.