Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog | 2021-2022 
    
Undergraduate Catalog | 2021-2022 Previous Edition

Biology, B.A.


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The B.A. in Biology is a liberal arts degree intended to provide a broad-based biological background but with enough flexibility to permit students to take more courses in areas of interest other than biology.  This is especially good for students interested in teaching in secondary education (junior high and high school), or whose careers may be other than in an area of biology.

Admission Requirements


Freshmen

  • Minimum GPA:  2.0; students with GPA below 2.0 should consult with departmental advisor; students with prior credit earned at UNC Charlotte must have a minimum overall and a Biology GPA of 2.0.
  • Pre-Major/Prerequisite Courses:  Complete the following with minimum grades of C:
  • Declaration of Major: Students are eligible to declare a Major in Biology when enrolled in the above courses.

Transfers

  • Minimum GPA:  2.0
  • Pre-Major/Prerequisite Courses:  All incoming students begin as Pre-Biology and declare upper-division once requirements are met.
  • Transferable Credit Hours:  24

Degree Requirements


A Major in Biology leading to the B.A. degree requires a total of 120 credit hours, including 32 credit hours of BIOL courses.  At least 12 credit hours of BIOL courses must be taken at UNC Charlotte.  Biology courses at the 1000-level do not count toward major-level credit.

General Education Courses (37-41 credit hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the General Education Program .  All Biology majors must take three hours of Writing Intensive (W) coursework in Biology at UNC Charlotte.

Foreign Language Requirement (0-8 credit hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Foreign Language Requirement 

Major Courses (32 credit hours)


Physiology Course (3 credit hours)


Select one of the following:

Additional Biology Courses (5-6 credit hours)


Select additional credit hours of Biology courses to reach 32 credit hours, excluding BIOL 1110 , BIOL 1110L , BIOL 1115 , BIOL 2259 , BIOL 2259L , BIOL 2273 , BIOL 2273L , BIOL 2274 , BIOL 2274L , and BIOL 3271 .  Either CHEM 3165  or CHEM 4165  (but not both) may also count toward this requirement.

Unrestricted Elective Courses


As needed to complete the credit hours required for graduation.

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours


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.

Grade Requirements


Majors must earn a C or above in BIOL 2120  and BIOL 2130  before taking other Biology courses.  Any student who earns less than a C may retake the course once, for a total of two attempts.  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.

Honors Program


For details about the Honors Program in Biology, visit the program page .

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