Undergraduate Bulletin
Document Number 3.06.02

Biology

Chair and Professor: Dr. Runge, (501) 450-3146
Professors: Dr. Choinski, Dr. Dussourd
Associate Professors: Dr. Clancy, Dr. Larson, Dr. McDonald, Dr. Moran, Dr. Zehr
Assistant Professors: Dr. G. Adams, Dr. R. Adams, Dr. Bland, Dr. Dinkelacker, Dr. Entrekin, Dr. Hill, Dr. Naylor, Dr. Noyes, Dr. Padberg, Dr. Rowley, Dr. Starkey, Dr. Swanson, Dr. Waggoner
Lecturer II's: Dr. Gomez-Kramer, Dr. Hirrel, Dr. Martin, Mr. Mimms
Lecturer I's: Ms. Horton, Dr. Peppers, Mr. Wainwright, Dr. Warren

[1] Purposes

Knowledge of biology relates directly to understanding contemporary human life and the natural world. The biology program aims to contribute this vital element to the liberal education of all students through required and elective courses in general education. Majors in biology are provided the basic foundation for pursuing careers in biological sciences. Majors can go into research, teaching, or professional positions in medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, environmental science, and various other applied and technical fields. Courses cover both the concepts and processes of biology as well as various groups of organisms. Advanced courses and individual research opportunities are available in numerous sub-disciplines. Students in related degree programs, such as applied health sciences and education, obtain the biological component of their programs from fundamental and applied courses offered in the Department of Biology.

[2] The Undergraduate Scholars Program in Biology

Junior or senior students with a grade point average of at least 3.0 overall are allowed to participate in a program which, when successfully completed, will qualify them to graduate as an Undergraduate Scholar in Biology. The program requires completion of all biology courses with a grade point of 3.25 or better, plus at least 3 additional hours of independent research (BIOL 3350) under the supervision of a committee consisting of a faculty mentor and two other faculty members. An acceptable written report of this research must be submitted, and an oral presentation must be given to the Department of Biology or in another suitable public forum. Additional details are available from the Biology Department office (Lewis Science Center, Room 180).

[3] Baccalaureate Degree: Bachelor of Science

The baccalaureate degree described below requires successful completion of a minimum of 124 hours, including (1) the general education component, (2) BS degree requirements, and (3) requirements in biological science, physical science and mathematics. Completion of a minor approved by both the major and the minor advisors is optional (see specific requirements below). Please note: Students must earn a C or higher grade in a biology core course before enrolling in a subsequent biology core course or biology elective that lists that core course as a prerequisite. Similar prerequisite requirements also exist for courses in other departments offering courses required for a BS degree in Biology.

[3.1] Major in Biology (40-48 hours)

Biology Core Requirements: BIOL 1440, 1441, 2490, 3402 and 3403

Required courses also include: CHEM 1450, 1451, 2401, 3411; PHYS 1410, 1420; MATH 1491 or MATH 1591 and MATH 2311

Biology Elective Requirements:

Major without a minor: 28 hours of electives chosen from the following 5 groups, including a minimum of four (4) laboratory courses

Major with a minor: 20 hours of electives chosen from the following 5 groups, including a minimum of four (4) laboratory courses

Cellular and Molecular Concepts (must select at least one class)

BIOL 4320

BIOL 4405

BIOL 4425

BIOL 4530

BIOL 4340

BIOL 3420

BIOL 4475

Biological Structure and Function (must select at least one class)

BIOL 4311

BIOL 4351

BIOL 4360

BIOL 4428

BIOL 4430

BIOL 4450

BIOL 4460

BIOL 4400

Diversity of Organisms (must select at least one class)

BIOL 4401

BIOL 3410

BIOL 4404

BIOL 4410

BIOL 4418

BIOL 4440

BIOL 4461

BIOL 4470

BIOL 4455

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (must select at least one class)

BIOL 3360

BIOL 3390

BIOL 4435

BIOL 4415

BIOL/ENVR 4465

ENVR 3410

Additional Qualified Electives (no mandatory minimum from this catagory)

BIOL 3305

BIOL 4100

BIOL 4445

BIOL 4250

BIOL 3150/4155*

BIOL 3145/3245/3345/3445*

BIOL 3185/3285/3385/4185/4285/4385*

BIOL 4330

BIOL 4406

BIOL 4407

CHEM 4320

CHEM 4121

*requires submission of proposal and departmental approval to be used as biology elective toward fulfilling degree requirements.

[3.2] Minor in Biology (24 hours)

Minimum Requirements: BIOL 1440, 1441, 2490, 3402, 3403, plus 4 elective hours chosen from 2405, 2406, 2407, 2411, 2420, 3370 and all courses listed as electives for the major. Additional requirements include CHEM 1450, 1451, 2401 and PHYS 1410, 1420.

[4] Teaching Licensure

A student with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology who is interested in obtaining teaching licensure in life science/earth science should contact the science education advisor in the Department of Biology (Dr. Bland; 450-5967 or Mr. Mimms; 450-3677) and the chair of the Department of Middle/Secondary Education and Instructional Technologies (450-3177).

[5] Master's Degree

See Graduate Bulletin.

[6] Courses in Biology (BIOL)

Follow this link for BIOL course descriptions: course link.

[7] Courses at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

The University of Central Arkansas is affiliated with the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) at Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Students may take GCRL courses and receive credit at UCA.

UCA advisor: Dr. Noyes

Prerequisite for all courses: BIOL 2490 and consent of Department.

The following courses offered at GCRL can be used to satisfy up to 4 semester hours of the biology elective credit requirement at UCA. Special Problems in Marine Science (course #490) may satisfy up to 4 additional hours of the biology elective credit requirement upon approval of the Biology Department Independent Study Committee.

Number	Title	SCH
301	Marine Science II: Marine Biology	3
301L	Marine Science II: Marine Biology Lab	2
403/503	Marine Invertebrate Zoology	3
403L/503L	Marine Invertebrate Zoology Lab	3
405/505	Marine Ecology	3
405L/505L	Marine Ecology Lab	2
407/507	Marine Aquaculture	3
407L/507L	Marine Aquaculture Lab	3
408/508	Marine Ichthyology	3
408L/508L	Marine Ichthyology Lab	3
421/521	Coastal Vegetation	2
421L/521L	Coastal Vegetation Lab	1
423/523	Marine Mammals	3
423L/523L	Marine Mammals Lab	3
490/590	Special Problems in Marine Science	TBA