Undergraduate Catalog | 2015-2016 Previous Edition
Department of Biological Sciences
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The biological sciences are important in many areas of human endeavor encompassing wide-ranging career opportunities in human, dental, and veterinary medicine; allied health professions; education; environment; research; and industry.
Degree Programs
The Department of Biological Sciences offers undergraduate programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree and the Bachelor of Science degree. The B.A. degree provides a firm foundation in the basic principles of biology as background to understanding the biological world, and as preparation for many careers, such as secondary education and medical/pharmaceutical sales; while the B.S. degree provides opportunity for advanced studies in academic or professional programs. The Minor in Biotechnology program is an interdisciplinary program housed within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and is designed for Biology and Chemistry majors interested in careers in the biotechnology field. The Minor in Biology is offered for students who desire some experience in biology as an adjunct to their major.
Biology degree programs can be tailored to fit the individual student’s needs and interests. Through course selection, the student can emphasize many areas within biology: plant sciences, including horticulture, systematics, and plant physiology and ecology; animal sciences, which include behavior, morphology and physiology; microbial sciences, including virology and microbial physiology; cellular/molecular studies, such as genetics, development, immunology and biotechnology; and environmental sciences, including ecology and evolution. Opportunities for individualized instruction occur at every level from undergraduate research and tutorials with faculty in the Junior and Senior courses to honors research projects in the Senior year.
Grade Requirements
Students are eligible to declare a major in Biology when enrolled in BIOL 2120 or BIOL 2130 , and co-enrolled in CHEM 1251 and CHEM 1251L . Students with prior credit earned at UNC Charlotte must have a minimum overall and BIOL GPA of 2.0.
After twice receiving a grade below C in BIOL 2120 , BIOL 2130 , or BIOL 2140L , students may not enroll in the course again and are ineligible for continuation in bachelor degree programs in Biology. Additionally, students who have two successive semesters with a cumulative GPA in Biology of less than 2.0 are ineligible for continuation in bachelor degree programs in Biology.
Teacher Education
The Department; in collaboration with the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education; offers a program of biology and professional education courses to prepare students for 9-12 teacher licensure in North Carolina. Students interested in biology education should declare this interest during the first semester of the Sophomore year to obtain appropriate advising and prepare for formal admission to a teacher education program. Students should contact the secondary education advisor for teacher education within the Department, as well as the Office of Student Academic Services in the College of Education for information about the requirements for admission to teacher education, coursework, and the culminating student teaching experience. Additional information about teacher education may be found in the College of Education section of this Catalog.
Cooperative Education Program
Students majoring in Biology may obtain practical work experience while pursuing their degrees. The Cooperative Education Program allows qualified students either to alternate semesters of academic study with semesters of full-time work experience or to combine part-time academic study and part-time work during the same semester. Students who are in good standing with the University, have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, and have completed 30 credit hours are eligible to apply. Transfer students are required to complete 12 credit hours at the University prior to application. The work experience is arranged by the University Career Center and must be approved by the Department of Biological Sciences. Placements are based on a student’s academic interests and on the availability of appropriate positions and are carried out under the supervision of a Biology faculty member who serves as co-op advisor. Work semesters are followed by participation in the Biology Cooperative Education Seminar.
ProgramsMajorMinorHonors Program
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