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2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog
Biology, B.S.
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Program Description
The department offers a four-year B.S. degree program for a major in biology and for a major in biology qualifying for the Secondary Collegiate Professional License. Students may not major in both biology and biotechnology. Biology majors must complete 40 credit hours of biology courses including 16 credit hours at the 300 and 400 level. Specific requirements include 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, B.S. biology majors must complete a set of cognate courses in chemistry, mathematics, statistics and physics that are listed below. Students are encouraged to participate in independent research with a faculty mentor. Credits earned doing research 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 towards biology major electives; BIO 270 /BIO 270L does not apply towards 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 . 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 | | Quantitative requirement (in addition to General Education ) 2 | 3 | | Scientific Literacy requirement (in addition to General Education ) 2 | 3-4 | | Biology requirements (listed below) | 40 | Cognate requirements (listed below)
Total | 31-36
120 | Footnotes
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. Some credits may be fulfilled by courses required within the major.
2 The quantitative and scientific literacy requirements may be met by courses required in the major. Major Requirements
Core Course Requirements: 16 Credit HoursAdditional Biology Course Requirements: 24 Credit Hours
Students in the B.S. biology major must complete at least 24 credit hours of approved biology courses and at least 16 of these must be at the 300 and 400 levels. Up to 8 credit hours of 200 level BIO courses may count towards the 24 credit hour requirement, excluding BIO 270 /BIO 270L . Also, one course must be from a group of courses on organismal diversity and two courses must have a laboratory component. Courses in both lists may count for both requirements. Three credits of independent research (BIO 496 (up to a maximum of 2 credit hours), 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 40-hour biology course requirement. When choosing additional biology courses to complete the 40 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 496 , BIO 497 , BIO 499A /BIO 499B /BIO 499C and ISCI 450 can be counted toward the biology major. Major Requirements Total: 40 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. Complete all of the following: 11 Credit Hours
Choose one of the following: 3 Credit Hours
Chemistry beyond the minimum requirement is recommended in many areas of biology. Consult with your advisor about which courses are appropriate. Students who take BIO 361 /CHEM 361 in addition to CHEM 242 , CHEM 353 , CHEM 354 or GEOL 355 /CHEM 355 will have BIO 361 /CHEM 361 applied toward their BIO 300-400-level elective requirements. BIO 361 /CHEM 361 may not be used for both a chemistry cognate and a biology major elective. Choose one of the following courses: 3-4 Credit Hours
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 courses: 3-4 Credit Hours
Mathematics beyond the minimum requirement is desirable in many areas of biology. Consult your advisor about which courses are appropriate. Choose one of the following options: 4 or 8 Credit Hours
Cognate Requirements Total: 31-36 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. 3 May be used to fulfill either the Anatomy Core Requirement or as an Anatomy and Physiology Elective, but not both. 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 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 496 /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 /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: 29-35 Credit Hours
Second Year Total: 29-30 Credit Hours
Third Year
- Upper-level biology laboratory courses Credits: 8.00
- Biology elective Credits: 3.00 - 4.00
- General Education Credits: 7.00
- Electives Credits: 11.00-12.00
Third Year Total: 30 Credit Hours
Fourth Year
- Upper-level biology laboratory course Credits: 4.00
- Biology electives Credits: 9.00
- Physics courses Credits: 4.00-8.00
- General Education Credits: 3.00
- Electives Credits: 5.00-12.00
Fourth Year Total: 29 Credit Hours
Program Total: 120 Credit Hours
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