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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Biology, B.A.
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Program Description
The department offers a four-year B.A. degree program for a major in biology and for a major in biology qualifying for the Secondary Collegiate Professional License and is distinguished from the four-year B.S by two key university requirements (the completion of an intermediate level foreign language and three credit hours in philosophy) and several key program requirements (a capstone experience, writing courses, and required Integrated Science and Technology and Anthropology courses). Students may not major in both biology and biotechnology. Biology majors seeking a BA must complete 36 credit hours of biology courses including 20 credit hours of biology electives, plus a capstone course (3 cr. hr., which may or may not be BIO credit). Specific requirements include 16 credit hours of four core courses (BIO 140 /BIO 140L , BIO 150 /BIO 150L , BIO 240 /BIO 240L and BIO 250 /BIO 250L ), at least two upper-division laboratory courses, and one course from a list of courses with an emphasis on organismal diversity. In addition, Biology BA majors must complete a set of required cognate courses in chemistry, mathematics/statistics, writing, ISAT and anthropology. Students are encouraged to participate in independent research with a faculty mentor and are required to participate in a capstone experience. Credits earned doing research in biology will count toward the biology major, but some restrictions apply. When requested, senior biology majors are expected to participate in program assessment test activities as a graduation requirement. Assessment information helps the department modify the curriculum to meet student needs. Credit by Examination
When evidence of sufficient background or preparation is presented, the Department of Biology offers credit by examination in many of its non-lab courses at the discretion of the course instructor or coordinator. Students seeking such credit should make arrangements with the course instructor or coordinator and obtain approval of the department head.
Teaching Licensure
Biology majors need courses in physics, geology and organic chemistry for many science education positions.
In addition to the general education and academic major requirements, biology majors desiring secondary teacher licensure must be admitted to teacher education, complete the pre-professional program in secondary education at the undergraduate level and complete the graduate level Master of Arts in Teaching degree.
It is critical that students seeking licensure consult regularly with both their education advisor and their major advisor to support their progression through the programs. For a full description of the program in secondary teaching, refer to the Department of Middle, Secondary and Mathematics Education in addition to the College of Education .
Special Requirements
In order for BIO 270 /BIO 270L and BIO 290 /BIO 290L credit to be transferred, both semesters of an Anatomy and Physiology course (A&P I and A&P II) must be completed with a minimum grade of ”C” from the same institution. A single semester of either of these sequences transfers as BIO 000. Only BIO 290 /BIO 290L can be applied toward biology major electives; BIO 270 /BIO 270L does not apply toward biology electives. Practical hands-on experience in the field and/or laboratory is important content of laboratory-based courses. Transfer credit for courses including laboratories will only be awarded for those having skill and application content comparable to that of JMU courses. Elective biology credits applicable toward the major or minor are transferred as specific courses or as BIO 200 , BIO 426 or BIO 427 . Credits not applicable toward the major or minor, but applicable toward the 120-hour degree requirement, are transferred as BIO 000. A maximum of eight credit hours of first year (100) level BIO courses may be applied to the biology major or minor requirements. Degree and Major Requirements
Degree Requirements | Credit Hours | General Education 1 | *41 | | Foreign Language requirements2 | 0-14 | | Philosophy requirement (in addition to General Education courses) | 3 | | Biology Major and Capstone3 requirements | 36-39 | Cognate requirements | 26 | University Electives
Total | 7-24
*120 |
Footnotes
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. Some requirements are fulfilled by courses within the major. It is strongly recommended that students work with their advisors to identify strategic selections for their general education requirements.* The Natural World (10 credit hours) is entirely covered by the Biology B.A. major requirements, and therefore those credits are accounted for only once in the 120 credit hour total.
2 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student’s chosen language (typically 232), or by placing out of that language through the Department of World Languages and Cultures’ placement test.
3 If the capstone experience is comprised of BIO credit, this can also count toward the 20 credits of BIO electives, reducing the total number of required courses.
Major Requirements
Core Requirements: 16 Credit HoursAdditional Biology Course Requirements: 20 Credit Hours
Students pursuing the B.A. in biology major must complete at least 20 credit hours of approved biology courses and at least 14 of these must be at the 300 and 400 levels. Up to 6 credit hours of 200 level BIO courses may count towards the 20 credit hour requirement, excluding BIO 270 /BIO 270L . At least one BIO course must be from the list of BIO 300-400 level organismal diversity courses, and two, BIO 300-400 level courses must be from the laboratory list. Courses in both organismal diversity and laboratory lists may count for both requirements. Three credits of independent research (BIO 497 and/or BIO 499A /BIO 499B /BIO 499C ) may be used for one, but only one, of the laboratory courses. Students completing the biology major must earn a minimum grade of “C-” in BIO 140 , BIO 140L , BIO 150 , BIO 150L , CHEM 131 , CHEM 131L and CHEM 132 . Choose at least one organismal diversity course from the following list:
Choose at least two laboratory courses from the following list:
Additional Information
Only one Topics in Biology (BIO 426 /BIO 427 ) may fulfill one of the laboratory course and/or organismal requirements. These course numbers can be repeated with a change in topic, but only 12 credits from BIO 426 /BIO 427 can be applied toward the 36-hour biology course requirement.
When choosing additional biology courses to complete the 36 credit hour requirement, students are strongly encouraged to discuss their career interests with an advisor who can help select courses best suited to their needs. Students are encouraged to participate in independent research and teaching courses with a faculty mentor, though a maximum of eight credits of BIO 492 , BIO 493 , BIO 494 , BIO 495 , BIO 496 , BIO 497 , BIO 499A /BIO 499B /BIO 499C and ISCI 450 can be counted toward the biology major.
Capstone Requirement: 3 Credit Hours
Students in the Biology B.A. are required to complete a Capstone experience. The Capstone experience will be decided upon with the input of the student’s faculty advisor. In addition to the courses listed below, capstone experiences may include a study abroad experience, a JMU X-Labs class, or other class as approved by the advisor.1
Total Biology Requirements: 36-39 Credit Hours
Footnote
1 If the capstone course is a BIO course, it may be double-counted toward the 20 hours of biology electives, which accounts for the range of 36-39 biology major credit hours. Cognate Requirements
The following five groups of support courses are required for the biology major. Consult your academic advisor about which courses are appropriate.
Chemistry Cognate Requirements: 8 Credit Hours
Complete all of the following: 8 Credit Hours
Note
Additional courses in chemistry (i.e. CHEM 241 , CHEM 242 , CHEM 353 , CHEM 354 , CHEM 355 and/or BIO 361 ) are all valuable courses toward careers in biology, and should be discussed with an advisor as elective options based on a student’s career interests.
Mathematics and Statistics Cognate Requirements: 6 Credit Hours
Choose one in each of the following sets of courses. Mathematics and Statistics beyond the minimum requirement is desirable in many areas of biology. Consult your advisor about which courses are appropriate.
Choose one of the following introductory statistics courses: 3 Credit Hours
Choose one of the following additional mathematics courses: 3 Credit Hours
Transdisciplinary Cognate Requirements: 12 Credit Hours
Additional recommended courses will depend on the career goals of the student and should be discussed with the advisor.
Complete the following required ANTH and ISAT Cognate courses: 6 Credit Hours
Choose two Elective Cognate courses from the following: 6 Credit Hours
Total Cognate Requirements: 26 Credit Hours
Biology Concentrations
Anatomy and Physiology Concentration
Concentration Coordinator: Jess Marquardt
Email: marquajl@jmu.edu
The Biology Department offers a concentration in anatomy and physiology for all Biology majors with an interest in exploring the relationship between structure and function of humans and/or animals. Further, the concentration will provide a strong foundation for students interested in clinical health care, veterinary medicine, and/or research in related fields.
Program Requirements
Students choosing a concentration in anatomy and physiology must meet all the requirements for the biology major as well as the following additional requirements. Courses for this concentration can also satisfy biology major requirements. Complete a total of at least 17 credit hours from the following courses. Anatomy Core Requirements: 4 Credit Hours
Physiology Core Requirements: 4 Credit Hours
Anatomy and Physiology Electives: 9 Credit Hours
Note: BIO 270 and BIO 270L cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
Choose at least one course from the following primarily anatomical or physiological courses:
Choose remaining credit hours from the list of primarily anatomical or physiological courses above, or from the following courses:
Footnotes
1 Meets the biology major requirement for an organismal diversity course. 2 Meets one of the biology major requirements for laboratory/field courses. Anatomy and Physiology Concentration Total: 17 Credit Hours
Ecology and Environmental Biology Concentration
Concentration Coordinator: Bruce Wiggins
Email: wigginba@jmu.edu
The biology department offers a concentration within the biology major for students with interest in ecology, field biology, natural resources, environmental biology, conservation biology, evolution, animal behavior and organismal biology. Students choosing a concentration in ecology and environmental biology must meet all of the requirements for the biology major as well as the following additional requirements. Courses for this concentration can also satisfy biology major requirements.
Students must complete at least 20 credit hours from the following list.
With prior approval from the concentration coordinator, BIO 426 and/or BIO 427 may be substituted. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their career interests with an advisor who can help select courses best suited to their needs. In addition to the courses listed below, a maximum of eight credits of BIO 495 , BIO 496 , BIO 497 and BIO 499A /BIO 499B /BIO 499C can be counted toward the EEB concentration.
Footnotes
1 Meets the biology major requirement for an organismal diversity course.
2 Meets one of the biology major requirements for laboratory/field courses. Students must take two additional cognate courses:
Note: Biology courses that fulfill these additional cognates (BIO 454 , BIO 456 , and BIO 457 ) can also be used to fulfill other Biology major requirements.
Choose one Statistics course: 3-4 Credit Hours
Choose one Geographic Information Systems course: 3-4 Credit Hours
Ecology and Environmental Biology Concentration Additional Information
It is highly recommended that students take additional upper-level degree elective courses in geography/GIS (such as GEOG 466 or GEOG 467 ) and in statistics (such as MATH 322 or MATH 324 ). Students should consult with their advisor about which courses are appropriate.
Footnote
1 Meets one of the biology major requirements for a laboratory/field course.
Ecology and Environmental Biology Concentration Total: 20-26 Credit Hours
Microbiology Concentration
Concentration Coordinator: Steve Cresawn
Email: cresawsg@jmu.edu
The biology department offers a concentration within the biology major for students with interest in bacteriology, virology, immunology, parasitology and infectious disease. Students choosing a concentration in microbiology must meet all the requirements for the biology major, including the following specific requirements.
Complete a total of at least 18 credit hours from the following courses.
General Microbiology Requirements: 5 Credit Hours
Take all of the following courses: Laboratory Requirement: 1-3 Credit Hours
Choose at least one of the following laboratory courses: Footnote
1 Meets one of the biology major requirements for an upper-level BIO 300-400 level laboratory course. Microbial Requirements: 6 Credit Hours
If a student takes an elective course that is listed in both Microbial Pathogenesis and Microbial Ecology categories below, the course may only satisfy one category requirement, but not both. Microbial Pathogenesis
Choose at least one of the following courses: Microbial Ecology
Choose at least one of the following courses:
Footnotes
1 Meets one of the biology major requirements for an organismal diversity course. 2 May be used to fulfill either the Microbial Ecology or Microbial Pathogenesis requirement, but not both. Microbiology Electives: 4-6 Credit Hours
Microbiology courses from any of the above listed courses to reach 18 credit hours. Microbiology Concentration Total: 18 Credit Hours
Neuroscience Concentration
Concentration Coordinator: George Vidal
Email: vidalgx@jmu.edu
The biology department offers a concentration within the biology major for students with interests in cell and molecular, systems, and behavioral aspects of the nervous system and its functionality. Students choosing a concentration in neuroscience must meet all of the requirements for the biology major in addition to the following requirements. Courses for this concentration can also satisfy biology major requirements.
Choose one: 3 Credit Hours
Choose one: 3-4 Credit Hours
Neuroscience Concentration Electives: 9 Credit Hours
Choose at least one course from the following principally neurobiology courses:
Choose remaining credit hours from the list of principally neurobiology courses above, or from the following courses:
Footnotes
1 Meets one of the biology major requirements for a laboratory/field course.
2 BIO 445 and BIO 415 /CSD 415 : The course not taken as part of required neuroscience concentration core may be used to fulfill elective requirements. Neuroscience Concentration Additional Information
Students should choose additional BIO courses at the 300-400 level, including a course that fulfills the organismal diversity major requirement, and are strongly encouraged to discuss their career interests with an advisor who can help select courses best suited to their needs. With prior approval from the concentration coordinator, BIO 426 and/or BIO 427 may be substituted. It is recommended that students participate in independent research (BIO 497 /BIO 499A /BIO 499B /BIO 499C ) with a faculty mentor.
Neuroscience Concentration Total: 15-16 Credit Hours
Recommended Schedule for Majors
First semester first year biology majors are encouraged to start with a 14-15 hour course load. This will generally include BIO 140 /BIO 140L , CHEM 131 and CHEM 131L , and/or a math course plus General Education . The work load will then be increased in the second semester based on the level of first semester success. First Year Total: 28 Credit Hours
Second Year Total: 32 Credit Hours
Third Year
- BIO electives, to include a BIO 300-400 level lab and an organismal diversity course, Credits: 10.00
- Transdisciplinary Cognates, Credits: 6.00
- B.A. degree requirements (foreign language) and/or university electives Credits: 7.00
- General Education Credits: 7.00
Third Year Total: 30 Credit Hours
Fourth Year
- BIO electives, to include a BIO 300-400 level laboratory Credits: 7.00-10.00 (7.00 if Capstone is a BIO course)
- Capstone experience Credits: 3.00
- Transdisciplinary Cognates Credits: 3.00
- General Education and university electives Credits: 14.00-17.00
Fourth Year Total: 30 Credit Hours
Program Total: 120 Credit Hours
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