Courses offered in the Biology Department allow students to choose from several areas of study, including preparation for graduate programs, careers in the health sciences, or industry or other areas in the biological sciences.
Students who earn a B.S. or B.A. degree in biology and who meet the entrance requirements may apply to schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, osteopathic medicine, chiropractic, veterinary medicine, physical therapy or other health related programs. Further opportunities include advanced study in graduate school or career positions with industry, government or private agencies in biologically related fields such as biotechnology and conservation biology.
Program of study for major: Minimum of 32 credit hours in biology, which must include 6 courses having laboratory experiences (courses with “L” designations) and the following requirements:
Biology 12 and 13 — General and Pre–Professional Biology
Biology 191 and 192 — Seminar in Biology
Biology 199 — Senior Capstone Experience
And one course from each of the following five categories (asterisk * denotes courses with laboratory component):
Molecular and Cellular Processes
Biology 105 — Introduction to Genetics
Biology 165* — Cell Biology
Biology 186*— Molecular Biology
Biology 188* — Structural Biology
Biological Diversity
Biology 019* — Introduction to Botany
Biology 101* — Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates
Biology 103* — Microbiology
Biology 121* — Parasitology
Biology 123* — Biology of Invertebrates
Systems Biology
Biology 018* — Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
Biology 126* — Developmental Biology
Biology 127* — Histology
Biology 129* — Mammalian Physiology
Biology 182* — Immunology
Ecology/Evolution
Biology 091 — Understanding Evolution
Biology 117* — Ecology
Biology 125* — Conservation Biology
Biology 152* — Field Botany
Biology 168* — Limnology
Applications of Biological Principles
Biology 024* — Field Ornithology
Biology 104 — Introduction to Virology
Biology 061 — Natural History Photography
Biology 095 — Principles of Microbiology
Biology 099 — Biological Research and Statistical Methods
Biology 106* — Research in Genetics
Biology 108 — Emerging Infectious Diseases
Biology 110* — Iowa Natural History
Biology 115* — Aquatic Biology
Biology 119* — Herpetology
Biology 120* — Ecosystem Ecology
Biology 122* — Mammalogy
Biology 124* — Collaborative Research
Biology 138 — History of Biology
Biology 141 — Biology of Terrorism
Biology 145 — Selected Topics in Biology
Biology 156 — Biology Short Course
Biology 158 — Biomedical Aspects of Aging
Biology 167* — Population and Community Ecology
Biology 176* — Neurophysiology
Biology 185 — Human Genetics
Biology 187* — Molecular/Cell Biology Lab
Biology 189 — Regulatory Biology
Biology 193* — Senior Lab Assistant
Biology 195* — Advanced Molecular Life Science Lab
Biology 197* — Undergraduate Research
Biology 198 — Independent Study in Biology
Additional requirements for the major include:
Mathematics 20 — College Algebra or higher
Chemistry 1/3 and 2/4 — General Chemistry I and II
Chemistry 107/109 and 108/110 — Organic Chemistry
Physics 11 and 12 — General Physics I and II
BA Degree: Students pursuing the B.A. degree also must take one course, of at least three credit hours, in either calculus, statistics or Computer Science 65.
BS Degree: For the B.S. degree, Computer Science 65 or a course in calculus is recommended. The B.S. degree program is designed to provide experience in research, and students pursuing this degree must complete Biology 99, Biological Research and Statistical Methods, or its equivalent and Biology 197, Undergraduate Research. All undergraduate research projects must be planned with the assistance of the faculty adviser and given approval by the Biology Department prior to the research experience. No more than 2 credit hours of Biology 197 or its equivalent can be applied toward the Biology major. At the conclusion of their research project, students in the B.S. program must deliver a formal presentation on their research to the department and submit to the department a written or electronic document. Students are required to present their research project in the Biology 192 Seminar course, and must be enrolled in Biology 192 during the semester they give their presentation.
First Year Students: First-year students who plan to major in biology are encouraged to enroll in Biology 15, Introduction to Biology, during the fall semester of their first year. Students have the responsibility to develop their program of study and review it with their faculty adviser in biology.
Program of study for minor : Completion of 20 credit hours in biology, of which at least three courses must be from courses having laboratory experiences (“L” courses). A minimum grade-point average of 2.00 must be achieved, and credit/no-credit courses may not be used for the minor. The program for the biology minor must be approved by the chair of the Biology Department.
Individualized programs of study that vary significantly from the typical program must be planned with the assistance of the faculty adviser and approved by the Biology Department.