2024-2025 Catalog
Biology (BIOL-BS), B.S.
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Bachelor of Science
The Bachelor of Science program in Biology provides students with a strong foundation in the science of life and living organisms. Students will learn aspects of general biology, microbiology, physiology, environmental biology and genetics along with a variety of other specific disciplines, which will help prepare them for careers in the Biological Sciences. Through a variety of hands-on experiences in laboratory and field settings, students will investigate real-world biological questions. The BS Biology program is flexible and allows students to choose a specific concentration that best fits with their academic interests, everything from pre-professional concentrations to forensic biology and environmental biology.
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Program Outcomes
- Graduates will explain the major concepts in the biological sciences.
- Graduates will apply biological theories or principles to new situations.
- Graduates will utilize the scientific method to investigate a biological problem.
- Graduates will evaluate biological information presented in scientific and/or popular literature.
- Graduates will perform laboratory and field techniques appropriate for their discipline.
- Graduates will collaborate with others to complete projects related to biological issues.
Admission Requirements
Please contact the program for admission requirements at 231-591-2550. University Requirements - 30 to 31 Credits Required
First Year Seminar Requirement (FSUS 100 or Equivalent) - 0 to 1 Credit Required
All First-Time-In-Any-College Freshmen (FTIACs) must complete a one-credit FSUS 100 course, or its equivalent. Additional information and the definition of FTIAC for FSUS purposes can be found in the: Ferris State University Academic Affairs FSUS Policy
University General Education Requirements - 30 Credits Required
Courses in this section are required to satisfy the University General Education Requirements for a bachelor’s degree. The University General Education requirements can be found on the: Ferris State University General Education Requirements Webpage
Communication Competency - 12 Credits Required (or Their Equivalent)
Quantitative Literacy Competency - Credits Required Met in Concentration
The MATH course required depends on the course required in the chosen concentration; see the Concentration section.
Natural Sciences Competency - Credits Required Met in College Requirements
Two courses are required with a minimum of 6 credits: must have at least one lab course. Culture Competency - 9 Credits Required
Three courses are required with a minimum of 9 credits: must be from two different disciplines and have at least one 200 level or higher course. Self and Society Competency - 9 Credits Required
Three courses are required with a minimum of 9 credits: must be from two different disciplines, have at least one 200 level or higher course, and at least one Self and Society Foundation course. The recommended or required courses to meet this competency depends on the chosen concentration:
- Biology Concentration (BIBS) - No specific courses are recommended or required.
- Biology/Environmental Concentration (BIEB) - No specific courses are recommended or required.
- Biology/Forensic Concentration (BIFB) - PSYC 150 and PSYC 350 are recommended.
- Biology/Pre-Physician Assistant Studies Concentration (BIPA) - PSYC 150 and PSYC 226 are required.
- Biology/Pre-Dentistry Concentration (BIPD) - SOCY 121 and PSYC 150 are recommended.
- Biology/Pre-Medicine Concentration (BIPM) - SOCY 121 and PSYC 150 are recommended.
- Biology/Pre-Optometry Concentration (BIPO) - PSYC 150 is required.
- Biology/Pre-Pharmacy Concentration (BIPP) - ECON 201 and a choice of SOCY 121 or PSYC 150 is required.
- Biology/Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration (BIPT) - SOCY 121 and PSYC 150 , PSYC 226 , or PSYC 422 are recommended.
- Biology/Pre-Veterinary Medicine Concentration (BIPV) - No specific courses are recommended or required.
- Biology/Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration (BIPT) - SOCY 121 and PSYC 150 , PSYC 226 , or PSYC 422 are recommended courses that also meets this competency.
- Biology/Pre-Veterinary Medicine Concentration (BIPV) - No specific courses are recommended or required; 1 course required.
United States (U.S.) Diversity Competency - 1 Course Required
If not met by courses taken for Culture Competency, Self and Society Competency, or Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), a student must have one course with the U.S. Diversity attribute. Some courses include both Global and U.S. Diversity attributes. The recommended or required courses in the Self and Society Competency section that also meets this competency depends on the chosen concentration:
- Biology Concentration (BIBS) - No specific courses are recommended or required; 1 course required.
- Biology/Environmental Concentration (BIEB) - No specific courses are recommended or required; 1 course required.
- Biology/Forensic Concentration (BIFB) - PSYC 150 is a recommended course that also meets this competency.
- Biology/Pre-Physician Assistant Studies Concentration (BIPA) - PSYC 150 and PSYC 226 are required courses that also meet this competency.
- Biology/Pre-Dentistry Concentration (BIPD) - SOCY 121 and PSYC 150 are recommended courses that also meet this competency.
- Biology/Pre-Medicine Concentration (BIPM) - SOCY 121 and PSYC 150 are recommended courses that also meets this competency.
- Biology/Pre-Optometry Concentration (BIPO) - PSYC 150 is a required course that also meets this competency.
- Biology/Pre-Pharmacy Concentration (BIPP) - SOCY 121 or PSYC 150 are a required choice that also meets this competency.
- Biology/Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration (BIPT) - SOCY 121 and PSYC 150 , PSYC 226 , or PSYC 422 are recommended courses that also meets this competency.
- Biology/Pre-Veterinary Medicine Concentration (BIPV) - No specific courses are recommended or required; 1 course required.
Global Diversity Competency - 1 Course Required
If not met by courses taken for Culture Competency, Self and Society Competency, or Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), a student must have one course with the Global Diversity attribute. Some courses include both Global and U.S. Diversity attributes. Collaboration Competency - Courses Required Met in College Requirements
If not met by courses taken in the College Requirements section, a student must have two courses with the Collaboration attribute. Some courses include both Collaboration and Problem Solving attributes. Problem Solving Competency - Courses Required Met in College Requirements
If not met by courses taken in the College Requirements section, a student must have two courses with the Problem Solving attribute. Some courses include both Collaboration and Problem Solving attributes. College Requirements - 90 to 91 Credits Required
Major Courses - 16 Credits Required
Supporting Sciences - 10 Credits Required
Concentration - 39 to 65 Credits Required
Choose one concentration. Biology Concentration (BIBS) - 39 to 52 Credits Required
A total of 20 credits are required in Biology (BIOL) courses within this concentration. The total number of Biology electives varies based on the Biology (BIOL) courses taken within this concentration. This concentration also requires MATH 120 or higher, a minimum of 7 credits in Chemistry (CHEM) courses, including Biochemistry; and a minimum of 4 credits in Physics (PHYS) courses.
Biology/Environmental Concentration (BIEB) - 46 to 58 Credits Required
Biology/Forensic Concentration (BIFB) - 60 to 65 Credits Required
A total of 21 credits are required in Biology (BIOL) courses within this concentration. The total number of Biology electives varies based on the Biology (BIOL) courses taken within this concentration. Biology/Pre-Physician Assistant Studies Concentration (BIPA) - 44 to 53 Credits Required
Biology/Pre-Dentistry Concentration (BIPD) - 49 to 52 Credits Required
Biology/Pre-Medicine Concentration (BIPM) - 52 to 55 Credits Required
Biology/Pre-Optometry Concentration (BIPO) - 51 to 52 Credits Required
Biology/Pre-Pharmacy Concentration (BIPP) - 50 to 51 Credits Required
Biology/Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration (BIPT) - 46 Credits Required
Biology/Pre-Veterinary Medicine Concentration (BIPV) - 54 Credits Required
Electives - 25 Credits Required
The credits required may vary depending on courses taken. In order to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, a student must have a minimum of 120 credits. The electives required for each student may vary depending on courses taken. Based on how a student meets the programmatic requirements, they may need more or less than 25 credits of elective courses to meet the required 120 credit minimum. MGMT 310 is recommended if the Biology/Pre-Dentistry Concentration (BIPD) or Biology/Pre-Medicine Concentration (BIPM) was chosen. ACCT 201 or MGMT 310 is recommended if the Biology/Pre-Optometry Concentration (BIPO) was chosen.
Biology Elective Options Courses that may be applied to the Biology electives in certain concentrations.
This section includes 300 level or higher Biology (BIOL) elective courses that may be applied to the following concentrations:
- Biology Concentration (BIBS) - All the courses within this section may be applied to the required Biology electives within this concentration.
- Biology/Forensic Concentration (BIFB) - All the courses within this section except BIOL 407 may be applied to the required Biology electives within this concentration.
- Biology/Pre-Physician Assistant Studies Concentration (BIPA) - All the courses within this section except BIOL 346 , BIOL 347 , and BIOL 442 may be applied to the required Biology electives within this concentration.
- Biology/Pre-Dentistry Concentration (BIPD) - All the courses within this section may be applied to the required Biology electives within this concentration. BIOL 370 is recommended.
- Biology/Pre-Medicine Concentration (BIPM) - All the courses within this section may be applied to the required Biology electives within this concentration.
- Biology/Pre-Optometry Concentration (BIPO) - All the courses within this section may be applied to the required Biology electives within this concentration.
- Biology/Pre-Pharmacy Concentration (BIPP) - All the courses within this section except BIOL 346 , BIOL 347 , and BIOL 442 may be applied to the required Biology electives within this concentration. BIOL 373 or BIOL 474 is recommended.
- Biology/Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration (BIPT) - All the courses within this section except BIOL 300 and BIOL 301 may be applied to the required Biology electives within this concentration.
- Biology/Pre-Veterinary Medicine Concentration (BIPV) - All the courses within this section except BIOL 310 may be applied to the required Biology electives within this concentration.
Additional Elective Options Courses that may be applied to the Biology Application Area electives in certain concentrations.
This section includes additional elective courses that may be applied to the following concentrations:
- Biology Concentration (BIBS) - All the courses within this section may be applied to the required Biology Application Area electives within this concentration.
- Biology/Pre-Physician Assistant Studies Concentration (BIPA) - All the courses within this section may be applied to the required Biology Application Area electives within this concentration.
- Biology/Pre-Dentistry Concentration (BIPD) - All the courses within this section may be applied to the required Biology Application Area electives within this concentration. RMLS 122 is recommended.
- Biology/Pre-Medicine Concentration (BIPM) - All the courses within this section may be applied to the required Biology Application Area electives within this concentration.
- Biology/Pre-Optometry Concentration (BIPO) - All the courses within this section except MATH 251 may be applied to the required Biology Application Area electives within this concentration.
- Biology/Pre-Pharmacy Concentration (BIPP) - All the courses within this section except COHP 100 and MATH 251 may be applied to the required Biology Application Area electives within this concentration.
- Biology/Pre-Veterinary Medicine Concentration (BIPV) - All the courses within this section may be applied to the required Biology Application Area electives within this concentration.
Environmental Elective Options Courses that may be applied to the Environmental electives in the Biology/Environmental Concentration (BIFB).
This section includes Biology (BIOL) elective courses that may only be applied to the following concentration:
- Biology/Environmental Concentration (BIEB) - All the courses within this section may be applied to the required Environmental electives within this concentration, except those that were previously chosen within the concentration itself. BIOL 340 or BIOL 345 is recommended.
Notes
- Students who return to the university after an interrupted enrollment, not including summer semester, must normally meet the requirements of the curriculum which are in effect at the time of their return, not the requirements which were in effect when they were originally admitted.
- Credits toward the degree cannot be earned in both BIOL 251 and BIOL 252 , and in BIOL 321 and BIOL 322 .
- Students who choose the Biology/Pre-Physician Assistant Studies Concentration (BIPA), completion of a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minimum of 500 hours of paid direct patient care hours in a medical setting (e.g., as a Certified Nursing Assistant or Emergency Medical Technician) will satisfy the minimum admission requirements of most professional Physician Assistant programs. To obtain these hours, often a certification will be required. You are expected to consult with both your Ferris State University advisor and the college to which you intend to apply to develop the most appropriate academic plan.
- Credit Variance - Credits required may vary based on course placement, prerequisites, etc. If you have questions, contact your advisor.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate from Ferris State University, students must meet both University and Programmatic Graduation Requirements.
University Graduation Requirements
These are the minimum graduation requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Ferris State University:
- All requirements as specified in the University Requirements section must be met.
- A minimum of 120 credits must be earned.
- A 2.00 or higher cumulative Ferris State University GPA is required.
- A minimum of 30 credits must be earned from Ferris State University to meet the Residency requirement.
- A minimum of 40 credits of 300 level or higher courses must be earned.
Programmatic Graduation Requirements
These are the additional graduation requirements mandated by the program:
- All requirements as specified in the College Requirements section must be met.
- A minimum grade of C- must be earned in all courses within the Major Courses, Supporting Sciences, and Concentration sections.
Suggested Semester Layout
Consult Advisor to Approve Your Customized Plan in MyDegree Summer Courses
- Concentration Course Credits Hours: 1-6
or
- Elective Course Credits Hours: 1-6
Fall Courses
- BIOL 460 - Current Topics in BIOL Credit Hours: 2
or - Concentration Course Credit Hours: 3-4
- Concentration Course Credit Hours: 3-4
or - Elective Course Credit Hours: 3-4
- Concentration Course Credit Hours: 3-4
or - Elective Course Credit Hours: 3-4
- Concentration Course Credit Hours: 3
or - Elective Course Credit Hours: 3
- Self and Society Competency Credit Hours: 3
or - Culture Competency Credit Hours: 3
Spring Courses
- BIOL 460 - Current Topics in BIOL Credit Hours: 2
or - Concentration Course Credit Hours: 2-4
- Concentration Course Credit Hours: 3-4
or - Elective Course Credit Hours: 3-4
- Concentration Course Credit Hours: 3-4
or - Elective Course Credit Hours: 3-4
- Concentration Course Credit Hours: 1-3
or - Elective Course Credit Hours: 1-3
- Self and Society Competency Credit Hours: 3
or - Culture Competency Credit Hours: 3
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