Biology: Bachelor of Science
Program Description
The Bachelor of Science degree in biology combines theory and concepts of biology with intensive, hands-on experiences in our state-of-the-art laboratories and a wealth of close-by field sites. Students build on a core of biology classes by selecting the physiology and taxonomy classes and other electives that best fit their interests.
The program is an excellent preparation for biology or related careers. Our graduates are currently employed as doctors, dentists, veterinarians, biological researchers, laboratory technicians, consultants and teachers. Many careers in biology require education beyond the baccalaureate degree and LSSU’s biology program has a proven record of excellent preparation for professional and graduate school.
Pre-Medical concentration - prepares students for medical, dental, optometry, podiatry, chiropractic, and physician assistant graduate studies. Biology students will work with a pre-professional advisor to select the electives best suited for the health professional program of their choice while also providing a well-rounded biology education. This program has an embedded chemistry minor that meets the requirements of most U.S. medical schools. The LSSU Biology department is recognized by all health professional schools in Michigan as a top rate biology program.
LSSU participates in the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine's Early Assurance Program. During their junior year, students who excel in the LSSU biology pre-medical program may apply to the College of Human Medicine, and selected students will be assured of admission and begin a relationship with MSU College of Human Medicine during their senior year of college.
Pre-Veterinary concentration - with an embedded chemistry minor, prepares students to enter veterinary college after graduation from LSSU. It was designed to meet the specific requirements for the Michigan State University-College of Veterinary Medicine, but our students go to vet schools all over the country, for example North Carolina State, Oklahoma State and University of Illinois. This program stresses not only academics, but also the animal care experience that is critical for gaining admission to a veterinary college.
Available degrees (see specific requirements further down the page):
- Bachelor of Science Biology
- Bachelor of Science Biology, Pre-Medical Concentration
- Bachelor of Science Biology, Pre-Veterinary Concentration
Degree Requirements
Bachelor of Science Biology
Biology Core (27 credits)
- BIOL131 General Biology: Cells 4
- BIOL132 General Biology: Organisms 4
- BIOL199 Freshman Seminar 1
- BIOL220 Genetics 4
- NRES250 Quantitative Biology 3
- or
- MATH207 Statistics 3
- BIOL280 Biostatistics 3
- BIOL299 Sophomore Seminar 1
- BIOL337 General Ecology 3
- BIOL399 Junior Seminar 1
- BIOL495 Senior Project 2
- BIOL499 Senior Seminar 1
Physiology Elective (1 course from)
Taxonomy Elective (1 course from)
- BIOL202 Field Botany 3
- BIOL204 General Microbiology 4
- BIOL302 Invertebrate Zoology 3
- BIOL303 General Entomology 4
- BIOL306 Medical Mycology 3
- NRES310 Ichthyology 3
- NRES311 Mammalogy 3
- NRES312 Ornithology 3
- BIOL422 Parasitology 3
- NRES475 Aquatic Entomology 3
Biology Electives (21 credits)
A minimum of 17 credits must be from 300 or 400 level courses. At least one elective must be a 400 level class. Courses not used to satisfy the physiology or taxonomy requirement may be used as 'other' electives.
Support Courses
- CHEM115 General Chemistry I 5
- CHEM116 General Chemistry II 5
- CHEM225 Organic Chemistry I 4
- MATH111 College Algebra 3
- MATH112 Calculus for Business & Life Science 4
- Physical Science (CHEM, PHYS, GEOL) course with lab 4
Free Electives
A minimum of 12 free elective credits must be non-biology courses.
General Education: All LSSU bachelor's degree candidates must complete the LSSU General Education Requirements.
A minimum of 125 credits (at the 100 level or higher) must be earned for graduation with a cumulative gpa of 2.00 or higher. A gpa of 2.00 or higher is also required in your Major, as well as in your General Education Requirements.
Bachelor of Science Biology, Pre-Medical Concentration
Biology Core (27 credits)
- BIOL131 General Biology: Cells 4
- BIOL132 General Biology: Organisms 4
- BIOL199 Freshman Seminar 1
- BIOL220 Genetics 4
- NRES250 Quantitative Biology 3
- or
- MATH207 Statistics 3
- BIOL280 Biometrics 3
- BIOL299 Sophomore Seminar 1
- BIOL337 General Ecology 3
- BIOL399 Junior Seminar 1
- BIOL495 Senior Project 2
- BIOL499 Senior Seminar 1
Physiology Elective (1 course from)
Taxonomy Elective (1 course from)
Other Biology (21 credits from)
- BIOL243 Vertebrate Anatomy* 4
- BIOL423 Immunology* 4
- BIOL433 Histology* 3
- BIOL285 Epidemiology 3
- BIOL332 Embryology 3
- BIOL380 Hematology 4
- BIOL406 Immunohematology 3
- BIOL420 Evolutionary Analysis 3
- BIOL425 Virology 3
- BIOL434 Histopathology 1
- BIOL455 Body Fluids Analysis 3
- BIOL480 Advanced Microbiology 4
*These courses are highly recommended by medical and dental schools in Michigan, Ontario and around the country.
A minimum of 17 credits from 300/400 level courses. At least one elective must be a 400 level class. Courses not used to satisfy the physiology or taxonomy requirement may be used as 'other' electives.
Support Courses
- PHYS221 Principles of Physics I 4
- PHYS222 Principles of Physics II 4
- MATH111 College Algebra 3
- MATH112 Calculus for Business & Life Science 4
- PSYC101 General Psychology 4
- SOCY101 Sociology 4
- HLTH328 Multicultural Approaches to Health Care 3
Chemistry Minor - Option B (22 credits)
Free Electives
General Education: All LSSU bachelor's degree candidates must complete the LSSU General Education Requirements.
A minimum of 125 credits (at the 100 level or higher) must be earned for graduation with a cumulative gpa of 2.75 or higher. A gpa of 2.00 or higher is also required in your Major, as well as in your General Education Requirements.
Bachelor of Science Biology, Pre-Veterinary Concentration
Biology Core (27 credits)
- BIOL131 General Biology: Cells 4
- BIOL132 General Biology: Organisms 4
- BIOL199 Freshman Seminar 1
- BIOL220 Genetics 4
- NRES250 Quantitative Biology 3
- or
- MATH207 Statistics 3
- BIOL280 Biometrics 3
- BIOL299 Sophomore Seminar 1
- BIOL337 General Ecology 3
- BIOL399 Junior Seminar 1
- BIOL495 Senior Project 2
- BIOL499 Senior Seminar 1
Physiology Elective (1 course from)
Taxonomy Elective (1 course from)
Other Biology (21 credits from)
- BIOL243 Vertebrate Anatomy 4
- BIOL332 Embryology 3
- BIOL335 Animal Nutrition* 3
- BIOL380 Hematology 4
- BIOL405 Animal Behavior 3
- BIOL423 Immunology 4
- BIOL425 Virology 3
- BIOL426 Ecology of Animial Disease 3
- BIOL433 Histology 3
- BIOL434 Histopathology 1
- BIOL480 Advanced Microbiology 4
*These courses required by MSU-CVM.
A minimum of 17 credits from 300/400 level courses. At least one elective must be a 400 level class. Courses not used to satisfy the physiology or taxonomy requirement may be used as 'other' electives.
Support Courses
- PHYS221 Principles of Physics I 4
- PHYS222 Principles of Physics II 4
- MATH111 College Algebra 3
- MATH112 Calculus for Business & Life Science 4
Chemistry Minor - Option B (22 credits)
Free Electives
General Education: All LSSU bachelor's degree candidates must complete the LSSU General Education Requirements.
A minimum of 125 credits (at the 100 level or higher) must be earned for graduation with a cumulative gpa of 2.75 or higher. A gpa of 2.00 or higher is also required in your Major, as well as in your General Education Requirements.
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