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Biology Major (B.S. degree) Requirements (54 hours)

A Bachelor of Science degree in Biology requires a total of 53 hours which includes:

  • 26 hours of required courses in biology: BIO 121, 122, 201, 212, 322, 331, 481, 482
  • 12 hours of elective biology courses from 200 level or higher, with 8 hours at the 300-400 level;
  • 13 hours in chemistry: CHE 113, 114, 231, 241;
  • 3 hours in mathematics, MAT 150.

A student who receives a "B" or better grade in Biology 101 or 130 may use that course to fulfill the Biology 121 requirement.

It is recommended that majors complete MAT 200, MAT 211 and CHE 211.

Students preparing for professional schools in medicine, optometry, pharmacy, and dentistry are advised to take Chemistry through CHE 232 and PHY 213 and 214 (prerequisite: MAT 211) prior to the end of their junior year in order to be prepared for medical, dental, and pharmacy school entrance examinations.

Students preparing to attend graduate school programs in Biology are advised to take two years of a foreign language, BIO 111, MAT 200, 211, CHE 232, and PHY 213 and 214. A chemistry, mathematics, or physics minor is excellent preparation for graduate programs in Biology.

It is recommended that students beginning the B.S. program take BIO 121 and CHE 113 during their first semester.

Biology major (B.S. degree) with Secondary Education concentration (64 hours)

Students who wish to become certified for public school teaching must complete the requirements for teacher certification and must take the following Biology courses: BIO 121, 122, 201, 212, 215, 216, 322, 331, 391, and 431. They must also complete CHE 113, 114, MAT 150, PHY 101 or 213, SCI 110 and 321, and MAT 200 for a total of 64 hours.

Students who plan to qualify for certification at the secondary level should major in the academic field for which certification will be sought and minor in Education. Graduation with a concentration in Education does not guarantee state certification. In order to be certified by the state of South Carolina, candidates must pass all required PRAXIS II series tests and meet all certification requirements.

Candidates should take EDU 224 and EDU 230 during their freshman year. EDU 232 should be taken during the sophomore year. These classes are prerequisites for all other education courses. All candidates must pass, or exempt, Praxis I reading, writing, and mathematics tests and apply for and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program in order to take 300- and 400-level education courses. Additional courses required for the secondary education concentration are EDU 300, EDU 342, EDU 382, EDU 455, EDU 480, and EDU 483. Schedules for otherwise qualified transfer students will be considered on an individual basis.

All candidates, regardless of major, complete a minimum of 108 hours of field experience in a public school prior to student teaching.

Curriculum