Academic Catalog 2022-2023

Slippery Rock University

Biology, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration In Professional / Pre-Dental (WVU) (4+4)

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Competence in Laboratory and Research Skills: To conduct, assess, and communicate research investigations using established scientific practices.
  • Core Concepts for Biological Literacy:
    • Knowledge/Content:
      • Evolution
      • Structure and function across all levels of biological organization
      • Diversity and interactions of life
      • Information flow, exchange and storage in biological systems
    • Critical Thinking/Problem Solving:
      • Connect information from cognate science courses and liberal arts courses to biological concepts
      • Apply scientific information to current and future societal problems
  • Participation in Diverse, Enriching Scientific Activities:   Apply technical and professional skills in hands-on laboratory, clinical or field experiences. 
  • Professional Attitude: Graduates demonstrate professional attitude, behavior, and ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
  •  

RELATED LINKS

Biology - WVU Dental Program Page

Biology Department Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

CURRICULUM GUIDE

GPA REQUIREMENT

 Overall GPA: 3.6 Major GPA: 2.0 Core GPA: 2.0 

SUMMARY*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements45
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Computer Competency0-3
Major Requirements/Concentration59
Natural Science and Math College-Wide Requirements12
Electives16

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits.  Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

ROCK STUDIES 2 REQUIREMENTS

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
MATH 225Calculus I4
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal16
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
CHEM 107General Chemistry I3
CHEM 111General Chemistry I Lab1
Physical Sciences Inquiry
PHYS 216University Physics 1 with Lab4
Subtotal17
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Total Hours45

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

Computer Competency

Demonstrate "computer competency" by one of the following:0-3
Pass Computer Competency Exam OR
Select one of the following at SRU or another post-secondary institution:
Introduction to Computing for Liberal Arts
Computer Concepts
Introduction to Computing and Programming
Technology for Wellness
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

  • Students desiring a Biology Major must maintain at least a 2.000 average in Biology.
  • Students must earn a "C" or better in both Biology I with Lab (BIOL 113) and Biology II with Lab (BIOL 114) before proceeding to their next biology course.
  • Students must earn a "C" or better in both Genetics with Lab (BIOL 250) and Biometry with Lab (BIOL 325) prior to graduating
Biology Core Requirements
BIOL 113Biology I: Foundations of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity with Lab4
BIOL 114Biology II: Foundations of Molecules, Genes and Cells with Lab4
BIOL 250Genetics with Lab 1,24
BIOL 325Biometry with Lab 13
Subtotal15
Required Upper-Level Biology
BIOL 492Biology Seminar 11
Subtotal1
Upper-Level Biology Electives
Select five courses of the following:15
Microbiology/Lab 1
Cell Biology/Lab 1
Vertebrate Anatomy with Lab 1
Molecular Biology with Lab 1
Ecology with Lab 1
Animal Physiology with Lab 1
Plant Physiology/Lab 1
Subtotal15
Additional Upper-Level Biology Electives
Select six credits from courses not chosen above, or any 300/400 level course listed below. Additional electives may be selected from the Marine Science offerings listed below. PLE courses are only offered during the summer months through our affiliation with Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology.6
Subtotal6
Independent Study Option
Select one of the following options:3
Independent Study
Subtotal3
Major Field Test
Field Test required of all Biology students before graduation
Related Sciences
CHEM 108General Chemistry II3
CHEM 112General Chemistry II Lab1
CHEM 201Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 202Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 211Organic Chemistry Laboratory I1
CHEM 212Organic Chemistry Laboratory II1
CHEM 335Biochemistry I3
PHYS 217University Physics 2 with Lab4
Subtotal19
Total Hours59

NATURAL SCIENCE AND MATH COLLEGE-WIDE REQUIREMENTS

CHEM 107General Chemistry I3
CHEM 111General Chemistry I Lab1
MATH 225Calculus I4
PHYS 216University Physics 1 with Lab4

Upper-Level Biology Electives

BIOL 301Forest Ecology 13
BIOL 302Ecology of Amphibians & Reptiles/Lab 13
BIOL 303Behavioral Ecology/Lab 13
BIOL 305Wetlands and Aquatic Plants/Lab 13
BIOL 306Freshwater Biomonitoring/Lab 13
BIOL 307Vertebrate Ecology/Lab 13
BIOL 308Aquatic Ecosystem Management / Lab 13
BIOL 310Plant Systematics with Lab 13
BIOL 311Entomology/Lab 13
BIOL 313Herpetology/Lab 13
BIOL 314Medical Parasitology with Lab 11
BIOL 315 11
BIOL 316Medical Immunology with Lab 11
BIOL 317Ecology and Fungi 13
BIOL 319Medical Virology with a Lab1
BIOL 320Ornithology/Lab 13
BIOL 321Wildlife Management/Lab 13
BIOL 322Conservation Biology/Lab 13
BIOL 323Stream Ecology/Lab 13
BIOL 326Field Methods in Biogeography/Lab 13
BIOL 327Limnology/Lab 13
BIOL 331Mammology/Lab 13
BIOL 343Embryology with Lab 13
BIOL 345 12
BIOL 350Evolution 13
BIOL 356Field Ecology / Lab 13
BIOL 357Environmental Microbiology with Lab 14
BIOL 360Field Botany 13
BIOL 361Flora of Western Pennsylvania 13
BIOL 371Vertebrate Field Zoology 13
BIOL 373Ichthyology/Lab 13
BIOL 375Ecology of Fish / Lab 13
BIOL 402Biogeography/Lab 13
BIOL 405Animal Physiological Ecology with Lab 14
BIOL 412Population Biology 13
BIOL 430Pathogenic Microbiology with Lab 13
BIOL 450Biology Internship 13
BIOL 465 13
BIOL 470Histology with Lab 13
BIOL 498Selected Topics 13
MARS 221Marine Invertebrates 13
MARS 241Marine Biology 13
MARS 250Wetland Ecology 13
MARS 260Marine Ecology 13
MARS 270Coastal Vegetation 13
MARS 298Selected Topics 13
MARS 300Behavior of Marine Organisms 13
MARS 310The Mammals of Coastal Ecosystems 13
MARS 320Marine Microbiology 13
MARS 330Tropical Invertebrates3
MARS 342Marine Botany 13
MARS 343Marine Ichthyology 13
MARS 344Anatomy of Marine Chordates 13
MARS 345Ornithology 13
MARS 350Physiology of Marine Invertebrates 13
MARS 398Selected Topics 13
MARS 420Marine Micropaleontology 13
MARS 431Ecology of Marine Plankton 13
MARS 441Biology of Molluscs 13
MARS 490Independent Study 13
MARS 491Coral Reef Ecology 13
MARS 492Marine Mammals 13
MARS 498Selected Topics 13
MARS 500Problems in Marine Science 13

CO-CURRICULAR AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:

  1. Volunteering
  2. Job Shadowing

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

BIOLOGY - PROFESSIONAL - BS (6108)
West Virginia University Dental (4+4) (61WD)
This program is effective as of Summer 2022
Revised 04.04.2022
UCC 02.01.2022

RECOMMENDED FOUR-YEAR PLAN

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
BIOL 113 Biology I: Foundations of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity with Lab 4
CHEM 107 General Chemistry I 3
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I Lab 1
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
 Hours15
Spring
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
CHEM 108 General Chemistry II 3
CHEM 112 General Chemistry II Lab 1
MATH 225
Calculus I
or Precalculus
4
BIOL 114 Biology II: Foundations of Molecules, Genes and Cells with Lab 4
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice  
Ethics and Civil Discourse  
Civil Discourse and Democracy  
BIOL 250 Genetics with Lab 4
CHEM 201 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHEM 211 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1
PHYS 201
Elements of Physics I with Lab
or University Physics 1 with Lab
4
Declare a Thematic Thread 2  
 Hours15
Spring
BIOL 325 Biometry with Lab 3
CHEM 202 Organic Chemistry II 3
CHEM 212 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 1
PHYS 202
Elements of Physics II/ Lab
or University Physics 2 with Lab
4
Humanities Inquiry 3
 Hours14
Third Year
Fall
BIOL 340 Vertebrate Anatomy with Lab 3
CHEM 335 Biochemistry I 3
BIOL 300+Upper Level BIOL Elective 3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
Social Science Inquiry 3
 Hours15
Spring
BIOL 300+Upper Level BIOL Elective 3
BIOL 300+ Upper Level BIOL Elective 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
BIOL 300+ Upper Level BIOL Elective 3
BIOL 300+Upper Level BIOL Elective 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours15
Spring
BIOL 300+Upper Level BIOL Elective 3
BIOL 490 Independent Study 4 3
BIOL 492 Biology Seminar 1
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 2
 Hours15
 Total Hours**119

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major Code: 6108
Concentration Code: 61WD
Revised date: 04.21.22