Biology, BS

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Contact Information

Dr. Sara Elizabeth Rácz
Interim Biology Program Coordinator
Lecturer
Department of Chemistry, Biology and Health Sciences
Chemical and Biological Engineering/Chemistry 3316
Office Phone: (605) 394-2260
Email: Sara.Racz@sdsmt.edu
Department Website: https://www.sdsmt.edu/cbh/

The Department of Chemistry, Biology, and Health Sciences (CBHS) offers a BS degree as well as a minor in Biology. The core curriculum includes a foundation in key modern biological science areas including microbiology, genetics, cellular and molecular biology, and bioinformatics, as well as coursework in chemistry, math, and physics. For detailed information about this major or department please view the Chemistry, Biology, and Health Sciences department webpage.

BiologyCurriculum/Checklist

The sequence of courses taken will depend on the academic preparation and career objectives of the individual student. Students can “tailor” their degree with a variety of electives and may choose one of the following areas of emphasis: Pre-health, Environmental Sciences, Molecular Biology, or Pre-biomedical Engineering. Students in the program will work with an advisor for a more personalized course of study.

BIOL Flowchart

Freshman Year

First Semester

BIOL 111 Introduction to Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences Credits: (1-0) 1
BIOL 151 General Biology I Credits: (3-0) 3 (Goal 6)*
BIOL 151L General Biology I Lab Credits: (0-1) 1 (Goal 6)*
CHEM 112 General Chemistry I Credits: (3-0) 3 (Goal 6)*
CHEM 112L General Chemistry I Lab Credits: (0-1) 1
ENGL 101 Composition I Credits: (3-0) 3 (Goal 1)*
MATH 123 Calculus I Credits: (4-0) 4 (Goal 5)*

Total: 16

Second Semester

BIOL 153 General Biology II Credits: (3-0) 3
BIOL 153L General Biology II Lab Credits: (0-1) 1
CHEM 114 General Chemistry II Credits: (3-0) 3
CHEM 114L General Chemistry II Lab Credits: (0-1) 1
MATH 125 Calculus II Credits: (4-0) 4
General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective(s) Credits: 3*

Total: 15

Sophomore Year

First Semester

CHEM 326 Organic Chemistry I Credits: (3-0) 3
CHEM 326L Organic Chemistry I Lab Credits: (0-2) 2
BIOL 331 Microbiology Credits: (3-0) 3
BIOL 331L Microbiology Lab Credits: (0-1) 1
General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective(s) Credits: 3*
PHYS 111 Introduction to Physics I Credits: (3-0) 3
PHYS 111L Introduction to Physics I Laboratory Credits: (0-1) 1
OR
PHYS 211 University Physics I Credits: 3 to 4

Total: 15 or 16

Second Semester

CHEM 328 Organic Chemistry II Credits: (3-0) 3
CHEM 328L Organic Chemistry II Lab Credits: (0-2) 2
BIOL 371 Genetics Credits: (3-0) 3
BIOL 371L Genetics Lab Credits: (0-1) 1
General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective(s) Credits: 3*
PHYS 113 Introduction to Physics II Credits: (3-0) 3
PHYS 113L Introduction to Physics II Laboratory Credits: (0-1) 1
OR
PHYS 213 University Physics II Credits: 3 to 4
PHYS 213L University Physics II Laboratory Credits: (0-1) 1

Total: 16

Junior Year

First Semester

CHEM 464/564 Biochemistry I Credits: (3-0) 3
CHEM 464L/564L Biochemistry I Lab Credits: (0-1) 1
BIOL 446/546 Molecular Cell Biology Credits: (3-0) 3
Major Program Elective Credits: 3
ENGL 279 Communication in the STEM Workplace Credits: (3-0) 3 (Goal 1)*
Free Elective Credits: 3

Total: 16

Second Semester

CHEM 465/565 Biochemistry II Credits: (3-0) 3
MATH 321 Differential Equations Credits: (3-0) 3
OR
MATH 381 Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credits: (3-0) 3
BIOL 480/580 Bioinformatics Credits: (3-0) 3
General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective(s) Credits: 3*
ENGL 289 Explorations in STEM Communications Credits: (3-0) 3 (Goal 2)*

Total: 15

Senior Year

First Semester

BIOL 490 Seminar Credits: 1 to 3
Major Program Elective Credits: 9
Free Elective Credits: 3

Total: 13

Second Semester

Major Program Elective Credits: 7
Free Elective Credits: 6 or 7

Total: 13 or 14

120 credits required for graduation

Curriculum Notes

*Fulfills General Education requirement. Students should consult the General Education Requirements section of this catalog for a complete listing of all general education requirements.

Biology majors should consult their advisor to tailor an individualized curriculum based on their areas of interest and academic preparedness.

Math Requirement: 11 credits (MATH 123, 125, and 321 or 381)

Physics Requirement: 7 credits (100 or 200 level PHYS courses)

Chemistry Requirement: 25 credits (CHEM 112, 112L, 114, 114L, 326, 326L, 328, 328L, 464, 464L, and 465)

Biology Requirement: 24 credits (BIOL 111, 151, 151L, 153, 153L, 331, 331L, 371, 371L, 446, 480, and 490)

Biology Program Electives: 19 credits from the list below.

Free Electives: 13 credits (May include Military Science (MSL), Physical Education (PE), Music (MUS), and music ensemble (MUEN) courses)

Total 120 credits required for the Bachelor of Science in Biology.

Choosing Electives for Career Paths

Program electives (from the list below) and free electives will vary depending on student’s area of emphasis and career interests. Emphases include Pre-health, Environmental Sciences, Molecular Biology, and Pre-biomedical Engineering. All students should consult with their academic advisor when selecting electives.

Biology Program Electives

AES 403/503 Biogeochemistry Credits: (3-0) 3
BIOL 221 Human Anatomy Credits: (3-0) 3
BIOL 221L Human Anatomy Lab Credits: (0-1) 1
BIOL 311 Principles of Ecology Credits: (3-0) 3
BIOL 311L Principles of Ecology Laboratory Credits: (0-1) 1
BIOL 326 Biomedical Physiology Credits: (3-0) 3
BIOL 326L Biomedical Physiology Lab Credits: (0-1) 1
BIOL 375 Current Bioethical Issues Credits: (3-0) 3
BIOL 406/506 Global Environmental Change Credits: (3-0) 3
BIOL 423 Pathogenesis Credits: (3-0) 3
BIOL 438/538 Industrial Microbiology Credits: (3-0) 3
BIOL 455/555 DNA Structure and Function Credits: (3-0) 3
BIOL 470/570 Cancer Biology Credits: (3-0) 3
BIOL 478/578 Microbial Genetics Credits: (3-0) 3
BIOL 491 Independent Study Credits: 1 to 4
BIOL 492 Topics Credits: 1 to 5
BIOL 498 Undergraduate Research/Scholarship Credits: 1 to 12
BME 408/508 Biomedical Engineering Credits: (3-0) 3
CBE 217 Chemical Engineering Material Balances Credits: (3-0) 3
CBE 218 Chemical Engineering Fluid Mechanics Credits: (3-0) 3
CBE 222 Chemical Engineering Process Thermodynamics Credits: (3-0) 3
CBE 318 Chemical Engineering Mass Transfer Credits: (3-0) 3
CBE 343 Chemical Kinetics and Reactor Design Credits: (3-0) 3
CBE 484/584 Fundamentals of Biochemical Engineering Credits: (3-0) 3
CBE 484L/584L Biochemical Engineering Laboratory Credits: (0-1) 1
CHEM 332 Analytical Chemistry Credits: 2 or 3
CHEM 332L Analytical Chemistry Lab Credits: (0-1) 1
CHEM 342 Physical Chemistry I Credits: 2 to 3
CHEM 342L Physical Chemistry I Lab Credits: (0-1) 1
CHEM 344 Physical Chemistry II Credits: 2 to 3
CHEM 344L Physical Chemistry II Lab Credits: 1 to 2
CHEM 352 Systematic Inorganic Chemistry Credits: (3-0) 3
CHEM 420/520 Organic Chemistry III Credits: (3-0) 3
CHEM 421/521 Spectroscopic Analysis Credits: (3-0) 3
CHEM 426/526 Polymer Chemistry Credits: (3-0) 3
CHEM 434 Instrumental Analysis Credits: (3-0) 3
CHEM 434L Instrumental Analysis Lab Credits: (0-2) 2
CHEM 452/552 Inorganic Chemistry Credits: (3-0) 3
CHEM 452L/552L Inorganic Chemistry Lab Credits: (0-1) 1
CHEM 482/582 Environmental Chemistry Credits: (3-0) 3
CP 297/397/497 Cooperative Education Credits: 1 to 3
EM 215 Dynamics Credits: (3-0) 3
EM 216 Statics and Dynamics Credits: (4-0) 4
GEOL 361 Oceanography I Credits: (3-0) 3
GEOL 416/416L/516/516L Introduction to GIS/Lab Credits: (2-1) 3
IENG 321/321L Ergonomics/Human Factors Engineering/Lab Credits: (2-1) 3
IENG 431/531 Industrial Hygiene Credits: (3-0) 3
MATH 225 Calculus III Credits: (4-0) 4
MATH 321 Differential Equations Credits: (3-0) 3
MATH 381 Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credits: (3-0) 3
ME 211 Introduction to Thermodynamics Credits: (3-0) 3
ME 216 Introduction to Solid Mechanics Credits: (3-0) 3
ME 316 Solid Mechanics Credits: (3-0) 3
ME 331 Thermo Fluid Dynamics Credits: (3-0) 3
MET 232 Properties of Materials Credits: (3-0) 3
MET 320 Metallurgical Thermodynamics Credits: (4-0) 4
MET 422 Transport Phenomena Credits: (4-0) 4
NANO 401 Introduction to Nanoscience Credits: (3-0) 3