BA in Biological Sciences
Degree Program Description
Biology is a broad field centered on the study of living organisms and processes. While the degree program requires general education courses in behavioral sciences, social sciences, and the humanities, students can specialize their curriculum through their course selections. The main difference between the BA degree and the BS degree is that the BS degree requires more credit hours in biology, chemistry, physics, and math than the BA degree. Some of the knowledge that students acquire includes basic sciences necessary for upper-level biological science coursework (i.e., mathematics, statistics, physics, general and organic chemistry), how biologists use mathematical modeling and simulation to describe living systems, and arguments employed by scientists and others in key ethical controversies in biological science and research (for example, stem cell research). The BA degree is designed to prepare students for graduate study, professional schools, or direct entry into the workplace. Undergraduates majoring in biological sciences go on to careers in a wide range of fields, including medicine and other health professions, biotechnology, industry, government service, conservation and ecology, and secondary and higher education.
Major Program Requirements
In addition to University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated.
Requirements
Requirements for the BA and BS degrees with a major in Biological Sciences include course work in biology and related science departments (chemistry, physics and math). The BS degree program requires more extensive course work, with additional studies in biology and the related sciences. The BA degree program is more flexible and has fewer required courses to accommodate students with dual degrees or minors in other departments. Both degree programs can be used to prepare for graduate study or professional school. Students must also complete college and university graduation requirements, including university general education requirements.
All courses in the major (including related sciences) must be completed with a grade of C- or higher with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading is not acceptable for courses in the major.)
| Major Core Requirements in Biology | ||
| BIO_SC 1500 | Introduction to Biological Systems with Laboratory | 5 |
| or BIO_SC 1010 & BIO_SC 1020 | General Principles and Concepts of Biology and General Biology Laboratory | |
| or BIO_SC 1030 | General Principles and Concepts of Biology with Laboratory | |
| or BIO_SC 1200 | General Botany with Laboratory | |
(BIO_SC 1030 is not offered at MU and is for crediting transfer courses only. Grade of B- or higher required for BIO_SC 1010/BIO_SC 1020 & BIO_SC 1030) | ||
| Introduction to Life Science Research | ||
or GN_HON 2453H | Introduction to Research | |
| BIO_SC 2200 | General Genetics | 4 |
| BIO_SC 2300 | Introduction to Cell Biology | 4 |
| Evolutionary Biology (select from): | 3 | |
| Evolution and Ecology | ||
| Evolution | ||
| Biological Diversity (select from): | 3-5 | |
| Medical Microbiology and Immunology | ||
| Plant Systematics | ||
| Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Invertebrate Zoology | ||
| Herpetology | ||
| Biology of Fungi | ||
| Introductory Entomology | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Ichthyology | ||
| Mammalogy | ||
| Capstone course (select one) (complete in last 45 hours): | 3-5 | |
| Undergraduate Research in Biology and Undergraduate Research in Biology | ||
| Honors Research in Biology and Honors Research in Biology | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Molecular Biology | ||
| Cancer Biology | ||
| Human Inherited Diseases | ||
| Molecular Ecology | ||
| Mammalian Reproductive Biology | ||
| Nerve Cells and Behavior | ||
| Vertebrate Histology and Microscopic Anatomy | ||
| Senior Seminar | ||
| Related Science Requirements | ||
| CHEM 1400 & CHEM 1401 | College Chemistry I and College Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 1410 & CHEM 1411 | College Chemistry II and College Chemistry II Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 2100 & CHEM 2110 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry II | 3-6 |
| or CHEM 2030 | Survey of Organic Chemistry | |
| Physical Sciences (select one) | 4-5 | |
| College Physics I | ||
| University Physics I | ||
| Introduction to the Earth with Laboratory | ||
| Environmental Geology with Laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Astronomy | ||
| Mathematical Sciences (select one) | 3-5 | |
| Calculus for Social and Life Sciences I | ||
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | ||
| Introductory Statistical Reasoning | ||
| Introduction to Probability and Statistics I | ||
| Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming | ||
No more than 5 credits of introductory biology coursework (BIO_SC 1010, BIO_SC 1020, BIO_SC 1030, BIO_SC 1100, BIO_SC 1200, BIO_SC 1500) may be included in the major. At least 12 hours of biology coursework must be taken in residence at MU.
Electives
All biology majors must take additional biology courses to total at least 29 credits for the BA degree, of which at least 16 credits must be at the 3000 level or above.
Elective credits must be in formal courses numbered above 2000 and must include at least one 3000- or 4000-level laboratory course, one 4000-level course, and one WI course at the 3000- or 4000-level in a natural science. In addition to the biological diversity and capstone courses listed above, the following courses may be used as elective credit:
| BIO_SC 3002 | Topics in Biological Sciences - Biological Sciences | 1-3 |
| BIO_SC 3040 | Eugenics Past, Present and Future: An Ugly Partnership Between Science and Society | 3 |
| BIO_SC 3050 | Genetics and Society | 3 |
| BIO_SC 3060 | Science and Society: Past, Present and Future | 3 |
| BIO_SC 3075 | The Human Microbiome | 3 |
| BIO_SC 3210 | Plant Systematics | 4 |
| BIO_SC 3240 | Vertebrate Biology | 3 |
| BIO_SC 3260 | Invertebrate Zoology | 4 |
| BIO_SC 3360 | Herpetology | 3-4 |
| BIO_SC 3400 | Evolution and Ecology | 3 |
| BIO_SC 3510 | Biology of Fungi | 3 |
| BIO_SC 3650 | General Ecology | 5 |
| BIO_SC 3700 | Human Physiology | 5 |
| BIO_SC 3710 | Introductory Entomology | 3 |
| BIO_SC 3715 | Insect Diversity | 2 |
| BIO_SC 3750 | General Microbiology | 3 |
| BIO_SC 3760 | Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| BIO_SC 3780 | Genetics Laboratory | 2 |
| BIO_SC 4002 | Topics in Biological Science - Biological Science | 1-3 |
| BIO_SC 4320 | Molecular Plant Physiology | 3 |
| BIO_SC 4400 | Plant Anatomy | 4 |
| BIO_SC 4500 | Neurobiology | 3 |
| BIO_SC 4590 | Computational Neuroscience | 3 |
| BIO_SC 4600 | Evolution | 3 |
| BIO_SC 4640 | Behavioral Biology | 3-4 |
| BIO_SC 4642 | Animal Communication | 3 |
| BIO_SC 4950 & BIO_SC 4952 | Undergraduate Research in Biology and Undergraduate Research in Biology | 2-6 |
| BIO_SC 4972 | Developmental Biology | 3 |
| BIO_SC 4974 | Molecular Biology Laboratory | 3 |
| BIO_SC 4976 | Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIO_SC 4978 | Cancer Biology | 3 |
| BIO_SC 4982 | Human Inherited Diseases | 3 |
| BIO_SC 4983 | Molecular Ecology | 4 |
| BIO_SC 4984 | Mammalian Reproductive Biology | 3 |
| BIO_SC 4988 | Nerve Cells and Behavior | 3 |
| BIO_SC 4990 | Vertebrate Histology and Microscopic Anatomy | 5 |
| BIO_SC 4994 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| BIOCHM 4270 | Biochemistry | 3 |
| BIOCHM 4272 | Biochemistry | 3 |
| F_W 2600 | Ornithology | 5 |
| F_W 2700 | Ichthyology | 4 |
| F_W 3660 | Mammalogy | 4 |
| MICROB 3200 | Medical Microbiology and Immunology | 4 |
List of 3000/4000 level lab courses.
| BIO_SC 3210 | Plant Systematics | 4 |
| BIO_SC 3360 | Herpetology | 3-4 |
| BIO_SC 3510 | Biology of Fungi | 3 |
| BIO_SC 3650 | General Ecology | 5 |
| BIO_SC 3700 | Human Physiology | 5 |
| BIO_SC 3710 & BIO_SC 3715 | Introductory Entomology and Insect Diversity | 5 |
| BIO_SC 3760 | Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| BIO_SC 3780 | Genetics Laboratory | 2 |
| BIO_SC 4400 | Plant Anatomy | 4 |
| BIO_SC 4950 | Undergraduate Research in Biology | 1-3 |
| or BIO_SC 4950H | Honors Research in Biology | |
| BIO_SC 4974 | Molecular Biology Laboratory | 3 |
| BIO_SC 4983 | Molecular Ecology | 4 |
| BIO_SC 4990 | Vertebrate Histology and Microscopic Anatomy | 5 |
| F_W 3660 | Mammalogy | 4 |
| The following two courses satisfy the lab requirement if taken for 4 credit hours. | ||
| BIO_SC 3260 | Invertebrate Zoology | 4 |
| BIO_SC 4640 | Behavioral Biology | 4 |
Students completing research courses BIO_SC 2950, BIO_SC 4950, BIO_SC 4950H, BIO_SC 4952, or BIO_SC 4952H for 6 credits may apply 3 credits toward fulfillment of capstone or biology elective hours for the BA degree.
Students may repeat readings, internships, problems, or research courses for a total of 18 hours. Any credits remaining after 3 hours are used as a capstone or an elective in biology will be applied toward total hours to graduate. A maximum of 18 credit hours from the following courses (BIO_SC 2940, BIO_SC 2950, BIO_SC 2960, BIO_SC 2965H, BIO_SC 4085, BIO_SC 4950, BIO_SC 4950H, BIO_SC 4952 and BIO_SC 4952H) can be counted toward graduation.
Semester Plan
NOTE: These plans are intended only as general guides. Courses outside Biology, Chemistry, MATH 1100, and ENGLSH 1000 are provided only for illustrative purposes. Advanced credit or exemption from the Foreign Language requirement and/or advanced credit in non-science courses, along with the interests of each individual student will determine a final combination of courses in each semester that is unique for each student. Note also that the sample schedules in Semester 5 and beyond are left incomplete on purpose because each schedule should be highly individualized at that point. Students who are pursuing the BA will not need to complete CHEM 2130.
Plan 1
A student that is exempt from MATH 1100
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIO_SC 1550 | 2 | BIO_SC 1500 | 5 |
| CHEM 1400 | 3 | CHEM 1410 | 3 |
| CHEM 1401 | 1 | CHEM 1411 | 1 |
| Behavioral Science | 3 | ENGLSH 1000 | 3 |
| Mathematical Science: Related Science Requirements | 3 | Humanities from Arts and Science | 3 |
| Int Disc 1001, SSC 1150, or elective | 2 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 2030 | 3 | BIO_SC 2300 | 4 |
| BIO_SC 2200 | 4 | Missouri State Law Requirement: Social Science from Arts an Science | 3 |
| Second Language Requirement | 4 | Second Language Requirement | 4 |
| Behavioral Science, 2000+ level from Arts and Science | 3 | Humanities, 2000+ level | 3 |
| Undergraduate research, second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 1 | Undergraduate research, second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 1 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Biology Lab Requirement, 3000+ level | 5 | Biological Diversity Requirement | 4 |
| Second Language Requirement | 4 | Physical Science: Related Science Requirements | 4 |
| Social Science, 2000+ level | 3 | First Writing Intensive | 3 |
| Undergraduate research, second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 4 | Undergraduate research, second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 4 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Biology Capstone, Second Writing Intensive | 3 | Bio 3400 or Bio 4600, Evolutionary Biology Requirement | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | Humanities | 3 |
| Social Sciences, Arts and Science Diversity Requirement | 3 | Undergraduate research, second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 3 |
| Undergraduate research, second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 3 | Second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 3 |
| Second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 3 | Second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 120 | |||
Plan 2
A student that needs MATH 1100
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIO_SC 1500 | 5 | CHEM 1400 | 3 |
| Math 1100: Math and Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | CHEM 1401 | 1 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 3 | Bio 1550 or Gn Hon 2453H | 2 |
| Missouri State Law Requirement: Social Science from Arts and Science | 3 | Mathematical Science: Related Science Requirements | 3 |
| Int Disc 1001, SSC 1150, or elective | 2 | ENGLSH 1000 | 3 |
| Humanities from Arts and Science | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIO_SC 2200 | 4 | BIO_SC 2300 | 4 |
| CHEM 1410 | 3 | Second Language Requirement | 4 |
| CHEM 1411 | 1 | Social Science, 2000+ level | 3 |
| Second Language Requirement | 4 | Undergraduate research, second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 3 |
| Behavioral Science, 2000+ level from Arts and Science | 3 | ||
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 2030 | 3 | Biological Diversity Requirement | 4 |
| Second Language Requirement | 4 | Humanities, 2000+ level | 3 |
| Biology Lab Requirement, 3000+ level | 5 | Physical Science: Related Science Requirements | 4 |
| Social Science, Arts and Science Diversity Requirement | 3 | Undergraduate research, second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 4 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Biology Capstone, Second Writing Intensive | 3 | Bio 3400 or 4600, Evolutionary Biology Requirement | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | Humanities | 3 |
| Undergraduate research, second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 3 | First Writing Intensive | 3 |
| Second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 3 | Undergraduate research, second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 3 |
| Second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 3 | Second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 120 | |||
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
Major and Career Exploration
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
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If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
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If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.