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Biology - B.A. Program Requirements PDFDownload to print

Type Legend: DD Diversity–Domestic; DG Diversity–Global; ELR Experiential Learning; KAD Kent Core Additional; KBS Kent Core Basic Sciences; KCM Kent Core Composition; KFA Kent Core Fine Arts: KHU Kent Core Humanities; KMC Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning; KSS Kent Core Social Sciences; WIC Writing Intensive

Please read the sections in the University Catalog on Kent Core, diversity, writing-intensive and the experiential learning requirements.

I.   DESTINATION KENT STATE: FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE  (1 credit)
Type Course Title Credits
  US 10097 Destination Kent State: First Year Experience 1
II.   MAJOR PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (47 credits)1  Courses count in major GPA 
Type Course Title Credits
KBS BSCI 10110 Biological Diversity 4
KBS
  10120 Biological Foundations 4
    30156 Elements of Genetics 3
    40163 Evolution 3
WIC   40600 Writing in the Biological Sciences 3 1
    Biology Electives (11 credit hours must be upper-division) 4 16
KBS CHEM 10060 General Chemistry I 4
KAD   10061 General Chemistry II 4
KBS   10062 General Chemistry I Laboratory 1
KBS   10063 General Chemistry II Laboratory 1
KMC MATH 11010 Algebra for Calculus 3
KAD   11022 Trigonometry 3
III.  ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (72-80 credits)  
Type Course Title Credits
  Foreign Language2 14-20
  Kent Core Composition 6
  Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each) 9
  Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) 6
  College General Requirement (must be from Kent Core Social Sciences) 5 3
  General Electives (minimum of 24 upper-division credit hours)
Credits required depends on meeting minimum 120 credit hours and minimum 42 upper-division credit hours
34
MINIMUM TOTAL 
120


1 All courses taken from the list of major program requirements are used in the calculation of the major GPA.

2 Fulfills College General Requirements.

3 A minimum C (2.000) grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

4 Students should consult with a biology advisor to determine the most appropriate courses given their disciplinary interests and career aspirations. Maximum 6 credit hours total of any combination of the following courses may be used toward fulling electives:

  • BSCI 40099 Senior Honors Thesis (1-10)
  • BSCI 40191 Senior Seminar (1)
  • BSCI 40192 Internship in Biological Sciences (1-12)
  • BSCI 40193 Variable Title Workshop in Biological Sciences (1-6)
  • BSCI 40196 Individual Investigation (1-3)

5 One additional course taken from the Kent Core Social Sciences courses in the following Arts and Sciences disciplines: Anthropology (ANTH), Applied Conflict Management (CACM), Geography (GEOG), Criminology and Justice Studies (JUS), Political Science (POL), Psychology (PSYC) or Sociology (SOC). The course may not be from the student's major.

The following Biological Sciences (BSCI) courses may NOT be used in the elective category for majors or minors in the Department of Biological

 

10001   Human Biology   3
10002   Life on Planet Earth   3
10003   Laboratory Experience in Biology   1
10100   Anatomy for Veterinary Technicians   5
11001   Anatomy for Physical and Occupational Therapy   5
11010   Anatomy and Physiology I for Allied Health   3
11020   Anatomy and Physiology II for Allied Health   3
16001   Horticultural Botany   3
20020   Biological Structure and Function   5
20021   Basic Microbiology   3
20022   Basic Microbiology Laboratory   1
26002   Ecological Principles of Pest Management   3
26003   Plant Identification and Selection I   3
26004   Plant Identification and Selection II   3
30050   Human Genetics   3
40020   Biology of Aging   3


Foreign Language Note: Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must have the equivalent of Elementary I and II in any language, plus one of the following options:

a. Intermediate I and II of the same language
b. Elementary I and II of a second language
c. Any combination of two courses from the following list:
    -Intermediate I of the same language
    -MCLS 10001 Introduction to Structural Concepts for Language Students
    -MCLS 20000 Global Literacy and Cultural Awareness
    -MCLS 20091 Seminar: Global Literacy Case Studies

All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may begin their university foreign language experience beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer credit hours and fewer courses. This may be accomplished by: (1) passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level or (2) receiving credit through Credit by Exam (CBE), the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), the Advanced Placement (AP) exam or credit through the International Baccalaureate (IB) program; or (3) being designated a "native speaker" of a non-English language (consult with the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office for additional information). When students complete the requirement with fewer than 14 credit hours and four courses, they will complete remaining hours with general electives.