BIOLOGY MAJOR
Introduction
The Department of Biology currently offers an undergraduate major and a minor in biology. The broadly-based requirements of the major are designed to prepare students for:
(1) advanced studies in biology, biomedical sciences, environmental biology, ecology and applied ecology;
(2) professional training in medicine, dentistry, optometry, chiropractic, pharmacy, veterinary medicine and other health professions;
(3) teaching of biology in secondary schools; or
(4) career opportunities in research, biomedical sciences, agriculture, industry, government, and academic institutions.
Students interested in completing a major or minor in biology are strongly urged to declare the major early and seek advisement from a departmental advisor. It is particularly important that students be aware that if they complete the major in Biology, they are exempted from having to take any courses in the Natural Sciences distribution area of the General Education Program.
NOTE that before enrolling in any Biology courses that count toward the major or the minor, all students must have earned the following minimum scores on placement tests (or must have successfully completed equivalent coursework): a score of 6 on the reading placement test, a score of 7 on the writing placement test and a score of 30 on the math placement test.
Students should be aware that a maximum of 18 credit hours of biology courses can be accepted toward the Biology Major in transfer credits, and a maximum of 18 credit hours of biology transfer credits can be accepted toward the Biology Minor.
Completion of the Major in Biology for the Bachelor of Science Degree will meet the state-mandated Biology requirements for secondary teacher certification in Biology. Students who major in Biology and Secondary Education should consult with an advisor in both Biology and in the College of Education.
(1) advanced studies in biology, biomedical sciences, environmental biology, ecology and applied ecology;
(2) professional training in medicine, dentistry, optometry, chiropractic, pharmacy, veterinary medicine and other health professions;
(3) teaching of biology in secondary schools; or
(4) career opportunities in research, biomedical sciences, agriculture, industry, government, and academic institutions.
Students interested in completing a major or minor in biology are strongly urged to declare the major early and seek advisement from a departmental advisor. It is particularly important that students be aware that if they complete the major in Biology, they are exempted from having to take any courses in the Natural Sciences distribution area of the General Education Program.
NOTE that before enrolling in any Biology courses that count toward the major or the minor, all students must have earned the following minimum scores on placement tests (or must have successfully completed equivalent coursework): a score of 6 on the reading placement test, a score of 7 on the writing placement test and a score of 30 on the math placement test.
Students should be aware that a maximum of 18 credit hours of biology courses can be accepted toward the Biology Major in transfer credits, and a maximum of 18 credit hours of biology transfer credits can be accepted toward the Biology Minor.
Completion of the Major in Biology for the Bachelor of Science Degree will meet the state-mandated Biology requirements for secondary teacher certification in Biology. Students who major in Biology and Secondary Education should consult with an advisor in both Biology and in the College of Education.
Contact Information
John Kasmer, Ph.D. - Chair
Pamela Gedde, Ph.D. - Enviromental & General Biology Advisor
Shubhangee Mungre, Ph.D. - Pre-Professional & General Biology Advisor
Joel Olfelt, Ph.D. - Minors & Secondary Education Advisor
Aaron Schirmer, Ph.D. - Pre-Professional & General Biology Advisor
Jennifer Slate, Ph.D. - Environmental Advisor
Emina Stojkovic, Ph.D. - Pre-Professional & General Biology Adivsor
John Thomas, Ph.D. - Pre-Professional & General Biology Adivsor
Click here for the Biology Website.
Major Requirements
Required Biology Courses:
- Essential Skills for Biologists (Should be taken in conjunction with General Biology I)
- General Biology I
- General Biology II
- Cell Biology
- General Genetics
- General Ecology
Five elective courses must also be taken. Four of
these must be Biology courses, one of which must
focus on plants and one must focus on animals. The
fifth course may be in Biology, or can be a course
from another department, as long as it has been
approved by the Biology Department to count as an
elective. Students should check with the Biology
Department Office or their advisor for a list of approved
courses.
One capstone course must also be taken after a student
has made substantial progress toward completing the
major requirements. The capstone requirement can be
satisfied by taking BIO-390 (Biology Senior Seminar) OR
BIO-391 (Internship in Biology) OR BIO-392 and 393
(Independent Research), OR BI0-394 (Seminar in Teaching
of Biology ). Students should check the catalog or their
advisor to determine the pre-requisites for each of these
options.
- Required Cognate Courses:
- General Chemistry I & II
- Organic Chemistry I
- Calculus I
- College or University Physics I & II (University Physics is Highly Recommended)
- Physics Lab I & II
Additional courses may be recommended by the student's advisor in relation to the student's goals. Please see your academic advisor before registering for courses.
Minor Requirements
Required Courses:
- Essential Skills for Biologist (Should be taken in conjunction with General Biology I)
- General Biology I
- General Biology II
- Three Biology electives, at least two must have lab components
Additional Requirements
1. General Education Program: All undergraduate students must
complete the General Education Program requirements consisting of 39
semester hours in the following distribution areas:
2. University Requirements:
3. Residency: The last 30 consecutive credit hours must be taken at Northeastern, unless permission is received from the Office of Enrollment Services.
- Behavioral/Social Sciences (12 hours)
- Natural Sciences (9 hours)
- Mathematics (3 hours; grade of "C" or higher at college level)
- Humanities (9 hours)
- Fine Arts (6 hours)
2. University Requirements:
- English Composition I (grade of "C" or higher);
- Constitution (includes Illinois State Constitution);
- Improving Human Relations (consult the schedule of classes or catalog for listing of courses);
- English Competency Examination.
3. Residency: The last 30 consecutive credit hours must be taken at Northeastern, unless permission is received from the Office of Enrollment Services.
4. Upper Division: Students must complete a minimum of 24 semester hours at the 300 level and -18 semester hours at the 200 or 300 level.
5. Grade Point Average:
To be eligible to graduate, a student must have a minimum cumulative
2.0 GPA (overall "C" average). Some academic programs and departments
have other specific grade requirements. Check with your academic
advisor.
Other
Although not
required by the Major in Biology, students are encouraged to take English
Composition I ENGL-101) and English Composition II (ENGL-102) as early as
possible in their academic careers, as successful completion of these courses
will help students with the writing components in many of the courses offered by
the Department of Biology. Likewise, completing calculus I early on will help students with the quantitative aspects of many Biology
courses, as well as satisfy the pre-requisite requirement for the Physics
courses that are required by the major.