Bachelor of Science in Biology

Career Outlook for Biology students (no specialization)

"General" Biology is the most flexible of our degree programs. Students take a suite of required courses that give them a strong background in all areas of Biology, then choose 3-4 additional upper level electives in areas of biology that especially interest them. Undergraduate Research credit hours may be used in place of one of these upper level courses. Students who obtain this degree often apply to work in research labs, become sales representatives in related fields (e.g., pharmaceutical or textbook sales), or go on to professional and graduate school. A brief list of additional occupations with a background in biology includes genetic counseling, biotechnology, conservation ecology, microbiology, toxicology, paleontology, herpetology, ecology, limnology, physiology, pharmaceutical sales representative and medical research. Most of these occupations require additional training at the M.S. or Ph.D. levels.

Suggested Curriculum Outline, B.S. in Biology

For First-Time Freshman

Fall Year 1 (16 total hours)

BIO 100T Transitions (1 credit hour)
BIO 115 The Cellular Basis of Life (3 credit hours)
CHE 201 General College Chemistry or MAT 160 Algebra & Trigonometry (5 credit hours)
ENG 105 Critical Reading, Writing & Inquiry (4 credit hours)
COM 161 Introduction to Public Speaking (3 credit hours)

Spring Year 1 (14 total hours)

BIO 216 Biological Inquiry & Analysis (4 credit hours)
CHE 202 General Chemistry & Quantitative Analysis (5 credit hours)
MAT 150 Algebra & Trigonometry or MAT 250 Calculus & Analytical Geometry I (5 credit hours)

Fall Year 2 (16 total hours)

BIO 221 Zoology: Animal Form & Function (4 credit hours)
BIO 222 Botany: Plant Form & Function (4 credit hours)
CHE 312 Organic Chemistry I & Lab (5 credit hours)
CIV 201 World Civilization or CIV 202 World Civilization II (3 credit hours)

Spring Year 2 (14 total hours)

BIO 330 Principles of Ecology (4 credit hours)
CHE 320 Organic Chemistry II (3 credit hours)
BIO XXX Biology Elective (300+ level) (4 credit hours)
XXX XXX Global Awareness Elective (3 credit hours)

Fall Year 3 (17 total hours)

BIO XXX Biology Elective (300+ level) (4 credit hours)
BIO 305 Evolution (3 credit hours)
PHY 130/131 General Physics I & Lab (4 credit hours)
HUM 211 The Western Humanities Tradition (3 credit hours)
XXX XXX Unrestricted Elective (3 credit hours)

Spring Year 3 (14 total hours)

BIO 333 Genetics (4 credit hours)
CHE 330 Basic Biochemistry (3 credit hours)
BIO XXX Biology Elective (300+ level) (4 credit hours)
XXX XXX Unrestricted Elective (3 credit hours)

Fall Year 4 (14 total hours)

BIO XXX Biology Elective (300+ level) (4 credit hours)
XXX XXX Social Studies Elective (3 credit hours)
XXX XXX Unrestricted Elective (4 credit hours)
XXX XXX Ethics Elective (e.g., BIO 308)

Spring Year 4 (15 total hours)

BIO 499 Senior Seminar (1 credit hour)
XXX XXX electives to complete 42 hours of upper level credit (300+) and 120 total hours (14 credit hours)

For Transfer Students with an Associate's of Science degree

Fall Year 1 Post Associate's Degree (16 total hours)

BIO 221 Zoology: Animal Form & Function (4 credit hours)
BIO 222 Botany: Plant Form & Function (4 credit hours)
CHE 312 Organic Chemistry I & Lab (5 credit hours)
XXX XXX Unrestricted Elective (3 credit hours)

Spring Year 1 Post Associate's Degree (15 total hours)

BIO 330 Principles of Ecology (4 credit hours)
BIO XXX Biology Elective (300+ level) (4 credit hours)
BIO XXX Biology Elective (300+ level) (4 credit hours)
CHE 320 Organic Chemistry II (3 credit hours)

Fall Year 2 Post Associate's Degree (14 total hours)

BIO XXX Biology Elective (300+ level) (4 credit hours)
BIO 333 Genetics (4 credit hours)
CHE 330 Basic Biochemistry (3 credit hours)
XXX XXX Unrestricted Electives (3 credit hours)

Spring Year 2 Post Associate's Degree (15 total hours)

BIO XXX Biology Elective (300+ level) (4 credit hours)
XXX XXX Upper Level Electives (6 credit hours)
XXX XXX Unrestricted Electives (4 credit hours)
BIO 499 Senior Seminar (1 credit hour)

Note, the transfer student pathway follows the pre-Biology Curriculum from WKCTC. It assumes that students have taken courses that will transfer as Murray State's BIO 115, BIO 216, CHE 201, CHE 202, MAT 150 and PHY 130/131. See Murray State Transfer Equivalency Tool to help you figure out how courses transfer from your current institution.

For More Information Please Contact:

Dr. Sterling Wright

Associate Professor, Chair
Department of Biological Sciences

270.809.2786 swright@murraystate.edu

2112 Biology Building