Major in Biology
Completion of the biology major provides students with a solid foundation in the wide breadth of disciplines that make up this field of study including cellular and molecular biology, physiology, ecology and evolution. Students selecting to complete the degree without a specific concentration will be able to take a mix of electives from these fields at the upper level. In addition, the general biology major will help prepare students for advanced studies in biology, particular those programs with an integrative nature. Students are encouraged to participate in a research experience or as an intern (e.g., BIOL 491, BIOL 493 or BIOL 499). They should consult with their adviser regarding these opportunities.
Specific requirements for the Biology major are listed under Requirements and outlined in the suggested Four-Year Plan of Study. A complete list of Biology courses that do not count towards the Biology major may be found on the Resources for Students web page.
The Biology major consists of 52-75 units. All Biology majors must complete minimum 19 units toward the major at Towson University, with at least 10 of these units at the upper (300-400) level. Courses taken to fulfill Ancillary Course requirements do not count toward units in residence.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Courses | ||
| BIOL 200 & 200L | BIOLOGY I: INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS [LECTURE] and BIOLOGY I: INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS [LAB] 1 | 4 |
| BIOL 204 | EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER PLANNING FOR THE BIOLOGIST | 1 |
| BIOL 206 & 206L | BIOLOGY II: INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION [LECTURE] and BIOLOGY II: INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION [LAB] | 4 |
| Intermediate Courses: Genetics, Biodiversity and Physiology | ||
| BIOL 309 | GENETICS | 4 |
| Select one Biodiversity option from the following: | 3-8 | |
| GENERAL BOTANY and GENERAL ZOOLOGY | ||
| BIODIVERSITY | ||
| Select one Physiology option from the following: | 3-8 | |
| ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY 2 | ||
| PLANT PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I FOR BIOLOGY MAJORS and HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II FOR BIOLOGY MAJORS 2 | ||
| Ancillary Courses | ||
| Chemistry | ||
| CHEM 131 & 131L | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LECTURE and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | 4 |
| CHEM 132 & 132L | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LECTURE and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | 4 |
| CHEM 333 & 333L | ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIC CHEM [LECTURE] and ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY | 5-8 |
| or CHEM 334 & CHEM 336 & CHEM 337 | ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I [LECTURE] and INTRODUCTORY ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II [LECTURE] | |
| Mathematics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| CALCULUS FOR APPLICATIONS | ||
| ELEMENTARY BIOSTATISTICS | ||
| CALCULUS I | ||
| BEHAVIORAL STATISTICS | ||
| Physics | ||
| PHYS 211 | GENERAL PHYSICS I; NON CALCULUS-BASED | 4 |
| or PHYS 241 | GENERAL PHYSICS I CALCULUS-BASED | |
| Electives | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3-4 | |
| CELL BIOLOGY | ||
| MOLECULAR BIOLOGY | ||
| ADVANCED PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| BIOCHEMISTRY | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3-4 | |
| CONSERVATION BIOLOGY | ||
| GENERAL ECOLOGY | ||
| MOLECULAR ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION AND CONSERVATION | ||
| EVOLUTION | ||
| Select minimum three upper (300-400) level elective courses not already taken from any courses that may be counted toward any concentration of the major (excluding ancillary and UTeach courses). One elective course must be a lecture/laboratory course, a laboratory course, or BIOL 491. 3 | 7-12 | |
| Total Units | 52-73 | |
- 1
Students may substitute BIOL 191/BIOL 191L for BIOL 200/BIOL 200L if an A- or better is earned in each course component.
- 2
Only one of BIOL 325 or BIOL 342 may be counted toward the major.
- 3
Other non-Biology STEM electives may be selected with the approval of the student's major advisor or the department chairperson.
Sample Four-Year Plan
The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 200 & 200L | 4 | BIOL 206 & 206L | 4 |
| MATH 115 or 119 (Core 3)1 | 3 | CHEM 131 & 131L (Core 7) | 4 |
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | MATH 211, 237, 273, or PSYC 212 | 3-4 |
| Core 4 | 3 | Core 2 (Core 1) | 3 |
| Core 5 | 3 | Core 12 | 3 |
| 16 | 17-18 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 205 or 208 | 4 | BIOL 207 (or elective) | 4 |
| BIOL 2042 | 1 | Required Elective | 4 |
| BIOL 309 | 4 | PHYS 211 or 2414 | 4 |
| CHEM 132 & 132L (Core 8) | 4 | Elective | 3 |
| Core 10 | 3 | Core 9 | 3 |
| 16 | 18 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 325, 342, or 4365 | 4 | CHEM 336 & CHEM 337 (or elective) | 5 |
| Required Elective | 4 | BIOL 343 (or elective)5 | 4 |
| CHEM 333 & 333L | 3-5 | Required Elective | 3-4 |
OR | Elective | 3 | |
| Core 6 | 3 | ||
| 14-16 | 15-16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 310, 402, 405, or 413 | 4 | Core 11 | 3 |
| BIOL 408, 409, 470, or CHEM 351 | 4 | Core 13 | 3 |
| Core 14 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 14 | 12 | ||
| Total Units 122-126 | |||
- 1
MATH 237 and PSYC 212 can be substituted for a Calculus course depending on career objectives. Consult your adviser.
- 2
A major assignment in BIOL 204 is the development of your own Degree Completion Plan.
- 3
CHEM 333 & CHEM 333L can be substituted for CHEM 334 and CHEM 336 & CHEM 337 depending on career objectives. Consult your adviser.
- 4
PHYS 241 can be substituted for PHYS 211 if Calculus prerequisites are met (requires MATH 273 and MATH 274).
- Explain the core concepts and principles of Biology.
- Demonstrate the scientific method through the use of hypothesis testing in the design and implementation of an experiment.
- Utilize scientific methodologies from the biological sciences in the evaluation of issues in society.
- Apply appropriate critical-thinking/problem-solving skills in biological sciences.
- Communicate both verbally and in writing in discipline specific contexts.
- Identify fundamental similarities and differences among various fields of study within the Biological Sciences.