Major in Biology - Functional Biology of Animals Concentration
This course of study is designed to provide students with an understanding of animal physiology consistent with the expectations of medical and dental education programs, veterinary medicine programs, anatomy and physiology graduate programs, or a career in research (as a clinical or basic science research technician). The Cell and Molecular Concentration is also an option for students interested in medically related fields. Students preparing for careers in medically related fields are strongly recommended to take both BIOL 342 and BIOL 343. Students planning on careers in research or a research application field are encouraged to participate in a research experience (e.g., BIOL 491 or BIOL 499). Pre-clinical students are encouraged to participate in volunteer work or internships within a clinical setting. Consult with your adviser about these opportunities.
Specific requirements for the Functional Biology of Animals concentration 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 Functional Biology of Animals Concentration consists of 57-79 units, including 13 units of foundation courses, 11-20 units of breadth courses and 24-30 ancillary courses from different disciplines.
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.
All courses that count toward the major must be completed with a grade equivalent of 2.00 or higher.
| 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] | 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 |
| BIOL 309 | GENETICS | 4 |
| Breadth Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-8 | |
| GENERAL BOTANY and GENERAL ZOOLOGY | ||
| BIODIVERSITY | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| MOLECULAR ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION AND CONSERVATION | ||
| CELL BIOLOGY | ||
| MOLECULAR BIOLOGY | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 4-8 | |
| ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I FOR BIOLOGY MAJORS and HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II FOR BIOLOGY MAJORS 1 | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Physiology Elective | ||
| BIOL 470 | ADVANCED PHYSIOLOGY | 4 |
| Focused Electives | ||
| Select from the following: (one if you completed BIOL 342/BIOL 343 or two if you completed BIOL 325) | 2-8 | |
| ELECTRON MICROSCOPY | ||
| MICROBIOLOGY | ||
| ANIMAL PARASITOLOGY | ||
| HISTOLOGY | ||
| ENDOCRINOLOGY | ||
| CANCER BIOLOGY | ||
| MICROBIOLOGY OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE | ||
| IMMUNOLOGY | ||
| NEUROMUSCULAR MECHANISMS OF THE UPPER BODY | ||
| VIROLOGY | ||
| DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY | ||
| BIOCHEMISTRY I | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
One biology elective from lists of electives in any Biology concentration | ||
| ELECTIVE IN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH | ||
| HONORS SENIOR THESIS IN BIOLOGY | ||
| Ancillary Courses | ||
| Chemistry | 13-18 | |
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LECTURE and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LECTURE and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | ||
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 2 | ||
or CHEM 330 | ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | |
| Physics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 8 | |
| GENERAL PHYSICS I; NON CALCULUS-BASED and GENERAL PHYSICS II; NON CALCULUS-BASED | ||
| GENERAL PHYSICS I CALCULUS-BASED and GENERAL PHYSICS II CALCULUS-BASED | ||
| Mathematics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| CALCULUS FOR APPLICATIONS | ||
| ELEMENTARY BIOSTATISTICS | ||
| CALCULUS I | ||
| BEHAVIORAL STATISTICS | ||
| Total Units | 57-79 | |
Suggested Four-Year Plan
Based on course availability and student needs and preferences, the selected sequences will probably vary from those presented below. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 200 & 200L | 4 | BIOL 206 & 206L | 4 |
| CHEM 131 & 131L (Core 7) | 4 | CHEM 132 & 132L (Core 8) | 4 |
| MATH 115 (Core 3)1 | 3 | MATH 211, 237, 273, or PSYC 212 | 3-4 |
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | Core 2 (or Core 1) | 3 |
| Core 4 | 3 | ||
| 17 | 14-15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 2042 | 1 | BIOL 309 | 4 |
| BIOL 2086 | 3 | PHYS 212 or 242 | 4 |
| PHYS 211 or 2415 | 4 | Core 9 | 3 |
| Core 5 | 3 | Core 10 | 3 |
| Core 6 | 3 | ||
| Core 11 | 3 | ||
| 17 | 14 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 342 or 3253 | 4 | BIOL 343 (or focused elective) | 4 |
| BIOL 405, 408, or 409 | 4 | CHEM 332 (if CHEM 331 was taken) | 5 |
| CHEM 331 or 3304 | 5 | Focused Elective | 1-4 |
| Core 14 | 3 | Core 12 | 3 |
| 16 | 13-16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 470 | 4 | Remaining courses required for degree (minimum of 120 units to graduate) but no more than three lab courses total | 12-15 |
| Free Elective | 1-4 | ||
| Core 13 | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 14-17 | 12-15 | ||
| Total Units 117-127 | |||
- 1
Consult with adviser on best MATH course to take given career objectives.
- 2
A key assignment of BIOL 204 is completion of your own Program of Study.
- 3
You will take either BIOL 342 / BIOL 343 or BIOL 325 depending on career objectives. Consult with adviser.
- 4
You will take either CHEM 330 or CHEM 331 / CHEM 332 depending on career objectives. Consult with adviser.
- 5
PHYS 241 and PHYS 242 can be substituted for PHYS 211 and PHYS 212 if Calculus prerequisites are met (requires MATH 273 and MATH 274).
- 6
You will take either BIOL 208 or BIOL 205 / BIOL 207 depending on career objectives. Consult with adviser.
NOTE: Unit range totals are listed for options on a term-by-term basis. If you take the minimum number of units each term, you will not have the minimum 120 units needed to graduate. You must review your overall progress toward your degree every term when you meet with your adviser.
- 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.