Biology (BIOL) - Ferris Course Catalog

Locate a Course
Find a Degree
Learn about a Program
Follow a Career Path

Biology BIOL

Required Courses		Credit Hours
General Education
This degree requires completion of the General Education requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree. Details of these requirements are delineated on the General Education website. Courses listed below as program/major required courses with the indicators: C, S, Z, R, G, may also be used to satisfy some of these general education requirements.

Biology Major (40 credit minimum)
BIOL 121	General Biology 1	4
BIOL 122	General Biology 2	4
BIOL 205	Human Anatomy-Physiology	5
BIOL 108	Medical Microbiology	3
Or Higher Level Microbiology Course
BIOL 340	Evolution	3
BIOL 373	Cell Biology	3
BIOL 375	Principles of Genetics	3
Biology Elective 300 or higher		3
BIOL 460	Current Topics in BIOL	2

Choose 1 of the following 2 Ecology classes:
BIOL 347	Environmental Conservation	3
BIOL 442	Ecology	3

Choose 1 of the following 2 general chemistry courses
CHEM 114	Intro to General Chemistry	4
OR
CHEM 121	General Chemistry 1	5

CHEM 124	Intro Organic-Biochemistry	3

Additional requirements:
Completion of minor		18-24
B.A. Core 3-15 credits
The BA core consists of one COMM course and proficiency in a foreign language through the 201 level.

Why Choose Biology?

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology provides students with education in all of the major fields of biological science. Biology majors complete a 28-hour core that includes courses in cell biology, genetics, microbiology, evolution, anatomy and physiology, and the environment. They take additional course work according to their own individual interests within the biological sciences (e.g., entomology, parasitology, botany). Biology majors study also the fundamentals of chemistry (through organic chemistry) in order to more fully understand life processes. Advanced students often participate in undergraduate research projects or internships as well.

Professional Opportunities

Many biology students use the degree as preparation for advanced study in professional programs such as medical, dental, or optometry schools. Others attend graduate school to pursue advanced degrees in biological science. Because admission to advanced programs is competitive, academic excellence as an undergraduate is important.

There also are many employment opportunities immediately after graduation -- e.g. in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or biomedical industries, government service, natural resource management, or other fields. Employment in the life sciences industries rose 48.5 percent last year according to a recent report, and graduates of a Biology major are highly employable either with additional graduate/professional education or directly after earning the bachelor's degree.

Admission Requirements

First year student admission is open to high school graduates (or equivalent) who demonstrate academic preparedness, maturity and seriousness of purpose with educational backgrounds appropriate to their chosen program of study. High school courses and grade point average, ACT composite score, and ACT reading and mathematics subscores will be considered in the admission and placement process. Transfer students must have at least 12 credits at the time of application with a minimum 2.0 overall GPA including an English and mathematics course, or they must provide their high school records and ACT scores for admission review.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, a student must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours including the Biology major, the BA core, an academic minor in another field of study, and all general education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree. No grade lower than 'C' will count toward the major.

More Information

Department of Biological Sciences
Ferris State University
Dr. Karen Strasser
820 Campus Drive/ASC 2102
Big Rapids, MI 49307-2225
Phone: 231-591-2543