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Bachelor of Science in Biology  | Undergraduate Degree Program

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Earn your Bachelor of Science in Biology degree from Ottawa University and prepare for the exciting challenges and frontiers of the field of biology as well as medicine, healthcare, environmental areas and many more career fields.

About Ottawa’s Bachelor of Science in Biology  

Our undergraduate biology degree takes a deep dive into a real-world exploration of biological processes and structures as they relate to current challenges across many industries. Students in our biology degree program can develop the technical and analytical expertise needed to identify and evaluate the significance of biological problems across all levels of organization, from the cell to the biosphere. Your education will teach you to understand and respect the patterns and processes of the living world.

As a Biology major, you’ll participate in innovative interdisciplinary courses such as Nature in Ireland, Environmental Biology, Environmental Literature, and the Amazon Experience. Additionally, a first-year writing course focusing on water availability and quality will broaden your understanding of how biology affects everything and may lead to exciting and unexpected careers in biology.

Career Prospects for Biology Majors 

Students graduating with biology degrees have gone on to careers as:

  • Biologists
  • Environmental scientists
  • Conservationists
  • Health professionals
  • Teachers and researchers

An undergraduate degree in biology is also a fantastic gateway to graduate studies in a variety of sciences and medicine.

Why Ottawa?

In the classroom, Ottawa’s rich academic tradition and commitment to integrating faith, learning and life make for an educational experience well worth your time and money. And outside the classroom, you’ll benefit from the support of a close-knit community while remaining close to Phoenix's many shopping, dining and cultural attractions. 

To learn more about earning a Biology degree from Ottawa University, contact us today.

Biology is offered at the following locations.

  • Ottawa, KS (Residential Campus)
  • Surprise, AZ (Residential Campus)

 

Required Major Courses

General Biology I | 
Introductory course for biology majors which studies the intricacies of living systems and research as process. Topics include scientific methodology, experimental design, data acquisition/manipulation, and presentation of findings. Students examine processes across the following levels of organization: molecules, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and organisms.

General Biology II | 
A continuation of BIO I. Topics include the study of the mechanisms of evolution, geologic history, phylogeny, organismal diversity, ecology, and behavior.

Ecology & Lab | 
Introduces relationships between organisms and their environment, including role of natural selection, population and community ecology, and ecosystem-level processes. Emphasizes simulation and experimentation in testing of ecological hypotheses and use of microcomputers as a tool in data collection, analysis and presentation.

Genetics & Lab | 
Non-laboratory course covering classical and modern genetics and discussion of selected readings on contemporary genetic issues.

Biology Research Methods | 
Course provides students with the tools necessary to plan, conduct, and present faculty-supervised, individual research. Students will perform literature reviews, submit a research proposal for a senior research project, learn to establish sound experimental methodologies, manage and analyze data, and to present findings in both written and oral venues.

Microbiology | 
Introduces microbiology with an emphasis on bacteria. Topics include prokaryote cell structure, metabolism and growth; medically significant bacteria, including epidemiology, pathogenicity and control; and ecological/industrial roles of bacteria.

Senior Research & Comprehensive Exam | 
Students conduct an individualized research project under faculty supervision. Results are submitted in the form of a final report and departmental seminar. Students will also take a written comprehensive exam over the curriculum.


Select at least 10 semester credit hours from the following:

Natural History of Kansas Vertebrates with Lab | 
Emphasis of the course is identification, life history strategy and habitat requirements of vertebrate species within the major physiographic provinces of the state.

Cell Biology & Immunology | 
Lecture course involving a detailed study of the structure and function of eukaryotic cell organelles, including membrane structure and function, transport and targeting mechanisms, cellular energetics, molecular genetics, and hormone actions. Specific functions of immune system cells, their antibody products, and cell communication strategies are representative of one differented cell-type.

Biochemistry | 
Introduces the structure of biomolecules. Topics include: protein, carbohydrates, lipid structure and metabolism, enzyme kinetics, photosynthesis and protein synthesis.

Comprehensive Anatomy of Vertebrates & Lab | 
Comparative study of the functional anatomy of major vertebrate groups. Covers three perspectives: Organisms remote past (phylogeny), its recent past or stages of early development (ontogeny), and present (morphology). Laboratories involve detailed dissection of the lamprey eel (Petromyzon), the mud puppy (Necturus), and dogfish shark (Squalus), an advanced vertebrate, the cat (Felis catus) and selected mammalian organs. Lab integrated with lecture.

Animal Physiology | 
A comparative study of animal physiology as adaptation. Topics include thermal regulation, regulation, digestion, circulation, respiration, excretion, sensation, movement and energy metabolism in vertebrates and invertebrates.

Developmental Biology & Lab | 
Study of developmental processes in living organisms. Utilizes comparative view of developmental patterns generated by cellular, chemical, and genetic control mechanisms. Lectures focus primarily on human development and address common developmental defects. Includes corresponding lab.


Required Supporting Courses

General Chemistry I & Lab | 
Beginning course for science-related majors. Topics include: fundamental laws, electronic structure and bonding, mole concept and stoichiometry, periodicity, states of matter, acid-base chemistry, thermodynamics. 

General Chemistry II & Lab | 
Continuation of CHE 12044 General Chemistry I. Topics include kinetics; equilibrium, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, selected non-metals. Includes corresponding lab.

Choose one of the following:

  • Introduction to Statistics | 
  • Mathematical Statistics II | 
Full Degree Catalog

University Accreditation

Ottawa University, as a whole, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Specific degree programs within our institution have also been accredited by relevant bodies within the field:

We are proudly recognized for our commitment to student excellence by the following designations:

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