Biology

(Ottawa)

Biology fosters an understanding and respect for the patterns and processes of the living world. Students develop technical and analytical skills that allow them to identify and evaluate the significance of biological problems across all levels of organization from the cell to the biosphere. The curriculum integrates the societal implications and consequences of contributions made by the field with an understanding of the moral and ethical decisions related to the life sciences. In this manner, students develop a personal philosophy of the living world that includes compassion and responsible action toward all life. This major prepares graduates for a wide range of scientific careers including positions in the health professions, teaching, and research. The Natural Sciences Department offers a full range of courses that meet the requirements for most health professions programs and for a wide variety of graduate programs. Innovative interdisciplinary courses such as Nature in Ireland, Environmental Biology, Environmental Literature, Amazon Experience, and a first year writing course focusing on water availability and quality greatly enrich campus course offerings.

Curriculum

Liberal Arts Studies Seminars

  • LAS 12525 First Year Seminar
  • LAS 42515 Group Problem Solving

Plus one course in each of the following Breadth Areas:

  • Creative and Performing Arts
  • Historical and Cultural Perspectives
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Mathematical and Logical Systems
  • Natural Sciences (with lab)
  • Language and Communication
  • Health and Wellness
  • Theological and Philosophical Perspectives

Required Major Courses

  • BIO  12043   General Biology I
  • BIO  22043   General Biology II
  • BIO  31143   Ecology & Lab 
  • BIO  31243   Genetics & Lab
  • BIO  35523   Biology Research Methods
  • BIO  38000   Biology Seminar
  • BIO  30243   Microbiology or
    • BIO  32100   Cell Biology and Immunology with Lab
  • BIO  49043   Senior Research & Comprehensive Exam



Choose a minimum of 10 credit hours from the following

  • BIO  30243   Microbiology
  • BIO  31343   Natural History of Kansas Vertebrates & Lab
  • BIO  32100   Cell Biology & Immunology
  • BIO  40143   Biochemistry
  • BIO  40350   Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates & Lab
  • BIO  41023   Animal Physiology
  • BIO  43000   Developmental Biology & Lab

 

Required Supporting Courses
  • CHE  10044   General Chemistry I & Lab
  • CHE  12044   General Chemistry II & Lab
  • MAT  20044  Introduction to Statistics or
    • MAT  32044  Mathematical Statistics II


Other courses in the department are required to reach the minimum of 32 semester credit hours in biology. Elective courses may depend upon the academic and career goals of the student. 


Teacher Licensure in Biology

  • BIO  10043   Principles of Biology and Lab
  • BIO  20043   Organismic Biology and Lab
  • BIO  20343   Human Anatomy & Physiology and Lab
  • BIO  30243   Microbiology and Lab
  • BIO  32100   Cell Biology and Immunology and Lab
  • BIO  31143   Ecology and Lab
  • BIO  31243   Genetics and Lab
  • BIO  38000   Biology Seminar
  • BIO  49041   Integrative Seminar

 

Select at least 6-semester-credit-hours from among the following courses
  • BIO 30643 Environmental Biology
  • BIO 31343 Natural History of Kansas Vertebrates and Lab
  • BIO 40350 Comparative Anatomy of Vertabrates and Lab
  • BIO 43000 Developmental Biology and Lab
  • BIO 40143 Biochemistry
  • BIO 44042 Medical Terminology

 

Required Supporting Courses
  • CHE 12044 General Chemistry I and Lab
  • CHE 12144 General Chemistry II and Lab
  • CHE 32043 Organic Chemistry I and Lab
  • CHE 33143 Organic Chemistry II and Lab
  • PHY 22043 College Physics I and Lab
  • PHY 22143 College Physics II and Lab