Nov 24, 2024

2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog

2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Biological Sciences (B.S.)

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A minimum of 15 of the 46 semester hours of biology required for the major must be taken at NIU.

The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.

Check departmental information for any additional requirements.

Requirements in Department (46)

Note: There is a 50-semester-hour limit of biology courses whether or not they apply to the major.

Courses in Department

Please note corequisite information in courses below.

BIOS 208 - Fundamentals of Cellular Biology Credits: 3
AND BIOS 210 - Fundamentals of Cellular Biology Laboratory Credits: 1
BIOS 209 - Fundamentals of Organismal Biology Credits: 3
AND BIOS 211 - Fundamentals of Organismal Biology Laboratory Credits: 1
BIOS 308 - Genetics Credits: 5
BIOS 494 - Biology Senior Assessment Credits: 1
Electives from biological sciences courses at the 300 or 400 level (32)

Biology electives

Biology electives are offered in four primary areas of departmental specialization and include:

1) Biomedical Pre-Professional
2) Cell and Molecular Biotechnology
3) Microbiology
4) Biodiversity: Ecology, Evolution and Conservation

Students should consult with the departmental advisor for assistance in selecting the appropriate sequence of courses within one of these fields of study. Lists of biology upper level elective courses that are particularly relevant for each of the tracks are available in the Department of Biological Sciences office and website.

Requirements outside Department (31-33)

Chemistry

CHEM 210 - General Chemistry I Credits: 3
Available for general education credit.
AND CHEM 212 - General Chemistry Laboratory I Credits: 1
Available for general education credit.
CHEM 211 - General Chemistry II Credits: 3
Available for general education credit.
AND CHEM 213 - General Chemistry Laboratory II Credits: 1
Available for general education credit.
CHEM 330 - General Organic Chemistry I Credits: 3
OR CHEM 336 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHEM 331 - General Organic Chemistry II Credits: 3
OR CHEM 337 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: 3

Math

MATH 155 - Trigonometry and Elementary Functions Credits: 3
Available for general education credit.
Or satisfactory performance on the Mathematics Placement Exam
MATH 229 - Calculus I Credits: 4
Available for general education credit.
AND MATH 230 - Calculus II Credits: 4
OR MATH 211 - Calculus for Business and Social Science Credits: 4
Available for general education credit.
AND STAT 301 - Elementary Statistics Credits: 4

Physics

PHYS 210 - General Physics I Credits: 4
Available for general education credit.
AND PHYS 211 - General Physics II Credits: 4
Available for general education credit.
OR PHYS 253 - Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics Credits: 4
Available for general education credit.
AND PHYS 273 - Fundamentals of Physics II: Electromagnetism Credits: 4
Available for general education credit.

Total Hours for a Major in Biological Sciences: 79

Recommendation

Many graduate programs in the biological sciences, such as those at NIU, require the Graduate Record Examinations (including the Subject Test in biology or biochemistry) for admission. Students intending to pursue graduate study in the biological sciences should take these examinations early in their senior year.

Transfer Credit

Students will receive upper level credit for BIOS transfer courses articulated as a “BIOS EL” in the Community College Articulation Handbook.