Welcome to the Biology Department
Saint Louis University
General Information Session
The New Advising/Mentoring Program
Biology Degrees Offered
Choosing the right degree
Degree Programs
Careers for Biology Majors
Academic Advising
and Mentoring
for Biology Majors
Guidelines for Students
Fall 2007
Academic Advising & Biology Mentoring
for First-Year Students
1. Attend Biology Academic Planning Session--all
first-year students interested in biology are welcome.
–
–
Information sessions will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 3
and Thursday, Oct. 4, 7-8 pm, Lee Auditorium
Learn about requirements for the biology major, course
offerings in biology, research and internship opportunities,
and career options for biologists
2. Meet with your Academic Advisor to plan course
schedule and obtain Registration PIN
3. Register for your spring 2008 courses through
Banner (registration for first-year students begins
Nov. 26)
Freshmen
When you declare your Biology Major, you will be
assigned a mentor in the biology department who
will be able to answer your questions about the
degree and career opportunities.
In the meantime, you can meet with one of the
department’s Co-coordinators of Undergraduate
Studies:
Dr. John Severson (MW 111)
Dr. Donald Schreiweis (MW 141)
Biology
The Study of Life
Degree Options for the Interested Student
Degrees Offered by the Department of
Biology
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Minor
B.A. Degree
Bachelor of Arts Degree
Freshman Year
Prerequisites for the Major:
BIOL 104: Principles of Biology I
BIOL 106: Principles of Biology II
CHEM 163/5: Introduction to Chemistry I (lecture + lab)
CHEM 164/6: Introduction to Chemistry II (lecture + lab)
Completion of these courses with an average of 2.0 or higher is
required before taking any upper division biology course.
B.A. Degree
Required Upper Division Biology Courses
Sophomore Year
BIOL 302: Cellular Biochemistry & Molecular Biology*
BIOL 304: Cell Structure & Function*
Junior and Senior Years
BIOL 303: Principles of Genetics
BIOL 301: Evolutionary Biology
Plus: one upper division plant biology course: BIOL 326, 328, 349,
404, 409, 421, 433, or 476
Plant course will count as an upper division elective for
the biology degree.
* Note: Sophomore course sequence is BIOL 302 & 304
B.A. Degree
Upper Division Biology Elective Courses (13 credits)
One upper division biology course must have a laboratory or
the student can take BIOL 498: Advanced Independent Study
(Research) for 1 credit.
Required B.A. Related Courses:
CHEM 342/344 Principles of Organic Chemistry I (3/1)
CHEM 343/345 Principles of Organic Chemistry II (3/1)
MATH 141: Precalculus (3)
B.A. Degree
Recommended B.A. Related Courses:
PHYS 131/132: Physics I (3/1)
PHYS 133/134: Physics II (3/1)
MATH 142: Calculus I (4)
Statistics, e.g., RMET 410: Introduction to Inferential Statistics (3)
In accordance with the College of Arts & Sciences graduation
requirements, a student must obtain at least a 2.00/4.00 overall grade
point average in all chemistry, mathematics, statistics, physics,
other appropriate sciences, and upper division biology courses that
are required for the B.A. major degree program.
B.A. Degree
Typical Course of Study
Bachelor of Arts, Biology
B.A. Degree
Your Biology Department Mentor can help you with your Career Goals
Fall Semester
BIOL 104
CHEM 163
CHEM 165
MATH 141
Core
ENGL 190
Spring Semester
Freshman Year
BIOL 106
CHEM 164
CHEM 166
Core
ENGL 200 leve
Core
Principles of Biology I
Introduction to Chemistry I (lecture)
Introduction to Chemistry I (lab)
Precalculus
Foreign Language (110 course)
Adv. Strategies of Rhetoric & Research
4
3
1
3
3
3_
17
Principles of Biology II
Introduction to Chemistry II (lecture)
Introduction to Chemistry II (lab)
Foreign Language (115 course)
English Literature course
Cultural Diversity course (core)
4
3
1
3
3
3_
17
B.A. Degree
Your Biology Department Mentor can help you choose elective courses to meet
your Career Goals
Fall Semester
BIOL 302
CHEM 342
CHEM 344
Core
PHIL 105
ENGL
Cellular Biochemistry & Molecular Biol
Principles of Organic Chemistry I
Principles of Organic Chem. I – Lab
Foreign Language (210 course)
Introduction to Philosophy (core)
English Literature – 300 level course
3
3
1
3
3
3_
16
Spring Semester
Sophomore Year
BIOL 304
CHEM 343
CHEM 345
Core
PHIL 205
HIST 111
Cell Structure & Function
Principles of Organic Chemistry II
Principles of Organic Chem. II – Lab
Social/Behavioral Science course
Ethics (core)
World History to 1500 (core)
3
3
1
3
3
3_
16
B.A. Degree
Your Biology Department Mentor can help you choose elective courses
to meet your Career Goals
Fall Semester
BIOL
HIST 112
Core
Core
THEO 100
Spring Semester
Junior Year
BIOL 303
BIOL
BIOL
Core
Core
Plant Biology elective
World Since 1500 (core)
Social/Behavior Science course (core)
Philosophy course (300/400 level)
Theological Foundations
Principles of Genetics
BIOL 300/400 level course
BIOL 300/400 level course
Fine arts course
Theological Studies course (200 level)
3
3
3
3
3_
15
3
3
3
3
3_
15
B.A. Degree
Your Biology Department Mentor can help you choose elective courses
to meet your Career Goals
Spring Semester
Fall Semester
Senior Year
BIOL 301
BIOL
Core
Evolutionary Biology
BIOL 300/400 level course
Theological Studies (300 level course)
Elective course
Elective course
3
3-4
3
3
3_
15-16
BIOL 495
BIOL
BIOL
Senior Residency
BIOL 300/400 level course
BIOL 300/400 level course
Elective course
Elective course
0
3-4
3-4
3
3_
12-14
B.Sc. Degree
Bachelor of Science Degree
Freshman Year
Prerequisites for the Major:
BIOL 104: Principles of Biology I
BIOL 106: Principles of Biology II
CHEM 163/5: Introduction to Chemistry I (lecture + lab)
CHEM 164/6: Introduction to Chemistry II (lecture + lab)
Completion of these courses with an average of 2.0 or higher is
required before taking any upper division biology course.
B.Sc. Degree
Required Upper Division Biology Courses
Sophomore Year
BIOL 302: Cellular Biochemistry & Molecular Biology*
BIOL 304: Cell Structure & Function*
Junior and Senior Years
BIOL 303: Principles of Genetics
BIOL 301: Evolutionary Biology
Plus: one upper division plant biology course: BIOL 326, 328, 349,
404, 409, 421, 433, or 476
Plant course will count as an upper division elective for
the biology degree.
* Note: Sophomore course sequence is BIOL 302 & 304
B.Sc. Degree
Group C: Cellular, Molecular, Physiological, Morphological, &
Develpmental Biology (10 credits)
Choose from the following list:
306 Cell Lab
447 Electron Microscopy
310 Genetics Lab
450 Introductory Endocrinology
312 Experimental Cell Biol.
451 Behavioral Endocrinology
342 Comparative Anatomy
454 Human Cellular Physiology
344 Embryology
455 Biology of Aging
346 Gen. Physiology
460 Developmental Biology
347 Gen. Physiology Lab
461 Developmental Biol. Lab
349 Plant Physiology
463 Immunobiology
402 Vertebrate Reproductive
464 Microbiology
415 Nerve Cell Mechanisms
465 Microbiology Lab
441 Comparative Animal Physiology 470 Molecular Biology
444 Vertebrate Histology
446 Exercise Physiology
476 Plant Biochemistry
B.Sc. Degree
Group D: Ecology, Evolutionary & Systematic Biology (10 credits)
Choose from the following list:
322 Biology of Invertebrates
432 Cave Biology
326 Biology of Plants & Fungi
433 Spring Flora of the Ozarks
328 Ethnobotany
434 Systematic Biology
401 Sex, Evolution & Behavior
435 Biology of Parasitic Organisms
404 Polination Biology
436 Animal Behavior
406 Structure & Function of Ecosystems
437 Animal Behavior Lab
409 Plant Ecology
438 Biology of Mammals
410 Natural History of Vertebrates
440 Applied Ecology
420 Aquatic Ecology
445 Ecological Risk Assessment
421 Biology & Classification of Orchids
448 Conservation Biology
424 General & Medical Entomology
467 Population Biology
426 Biology of Amphibians & Reptiles
468 Landscape Ecology
428 Biology of Fishes
475 General Ecology
431 Biology of Birds
B.Sc. Degree
Laboratory Experience:
Three Laboratory Eperiences are required.
Choose at least one (1) lab experience from the Cellular,
Molecular group and at least one (1) lab experience from the
Ecology, Evolutionary and Systematic Biology group. The third
laboratory experience can be from either group
Required B.Sc. Related Courses:
CHEM 342/344 Principles of Organic Chemistry I (3/1)
CHEM 343/345 Principles of Organic Chemistry II (3/1)
MATH 142: Calculus I (4)
PHYS 131: Physics I (3)
PHYS 133: Physics II (3)
Statistics course (RMET 410, PSY 306, or BIOL 479 (3-4)
B.Sc. Degree
Recommended B.Sc. Related Courses:
PHYS 133: Physics I Lab (1)
PHYS 134: Physics II Lab (1)
MATH 143: Calculus II (4)
In accordance with the College of Arts & Sciences graduation
requirements, a student must obtain at least a 2.00/4.00 overall grade
point average in all chemistry, mathematics, statistics, physics,
other appropriate sciences, and upper division biology courses that
are required for the B.A. major degree program.
B.Sc. Degree
Typical Course of Study
Bachelor of Science, Biology
B.Sc. Degree
Your Biology Department Mentor can help you with your Career Goals
Fall Semester
BIOL 104
CHEM 163
CHEM 165
MATH 142
Core
Spring Semester
Freshman Year
BIOL 106
CHEM 164
CHEM 166
RMET 410
Core
ENGL 190
Principles of Biology I
Introduction to Chemistry I (lecture)
Introduction to Chemistry I (lab)
Calculus I
Foreign Language (110 course)
Principles of Biology II
Introduction to Chemistry II (lecture)
Introduction to Chemistry II (lab)
Inferential Statistics
Foreign Language (115 course)
Adv. Strategies of Rhetoric & Research
4
3
1
4
3_
15
4
3
1
3
3
3_
17
B.Sc. Degree
Your Biology Department Mentor can help you choose elective courses to meet
your Career Goals
Fall Semester
BIOL 302
CHEM 342
CHEM 344
HIST 111
PHIL 205
Core
Cellular Biochemistry & Molecular Biol
Principles of Organic Chemistry I
Principles of Organic Chem. I – Lab
World History to 1500 (core)
Ethics (core)
English Literature course (300 level)
3
3
1
3
3
3_
16
Spring Semester
Sophomore Year
BIOL 304
CHEM 343
CHEM 345
Core
Core
HIST 112
Cell Structure & Function
Principles of Organic Chemistry II
Principles of Organic Chem. II – Lab
Social/Behavioral Science course
Philosophy course (300 or 400 level)
World History since 1500 (core)
3
3
1
3
3
3_
16
B.Sc. Degree
Your Biology Department Mentor can help you choose elective courses
to meet your Career Goals
Fall Semester
BIOL
BIOL
PHYS 131
Plant Biology elective
BIOL 300/400 level - group C course
Physics I
3
3
3
PHYS 132
Core
THEO 100
Physics I Lab (recommended)
Social/Behavioral Science course
Theological Foundations (core)
1
3
3_
16
Spring Semester
Junior Year
BIOL 303
BIOL
PHYS 133
PHYS 134
Core
Core
Principles of Genetics
BIOL 300/400 level – group D course
Physics II
Physics II Lab (recommended)
Theological Studies course (200 level)
Cultural Diversity course (core)
3
3-4
3
1
3
3_
16-17
B.Sc. Degree
Your Biology Department Mentor can help you choose elective courses
to meet your Career Goals
Fall Semester
BIOL 301
BIOL
BIOL
Core
Evolutionary Biology
BIOL 300/400 level – group D course
BIOL 300/400 level – group C course
Fine Arts
Elective course
3
3-4
3-4
3
3_
15-17
Spring Semester
Senior Year
BIOL 495
BIOL
BIOL
ENGL 300 level
BIOL
Senior Residency
BIOL 300/400 level – group D course
Senior Inquiry
English Literature course
BIOL 300/400 level – group C course
Elective course
0
3-4
0-4
3
3
3_
16-17
Minor
Biology Minor
Required Courses:
BIOL 104 Principles of Biology I
BIOL 106 Principles of Biology II
CHEM 163/165 Introduction to Chemistry I
CHEM 164/166 Introduction to Chemistry II
Completion of these courses with an average of “C”
or better is required before advancing to upper
division biology courses!
Minor
Upper Division Biology Courses (BIOL 300/400 level):
12 credits
Typically 3 or 4 upper division biology course at the 300 and 400
level will meet the 12 credit minimum for a minor.
Before enrolling in any upper division biology course check for
prerequisites.
Your Biology Department Mentor can help you choose elective courses to
meet your Career Goals
Which degree? B.A. or B.Sc.
B.A. degree:
A&S courses
Biology courses
51-63 hrs
Upper division bio 25hrs
1 bio lab, 4 chem, pre-calculus
B.Sc. degree:
A&S courses
Biology courses
48-57 hrs
Upper division bio 35hrs
3 bio labs, 4 chem, calculus, 2 physics, stat,
Senior Inquiry
Which degree BA or BSc?
B.A.: Less science.
More Theology, Philosophy, Literature,
Language
- Easier to double major
B.Sc.: More Bio, Phys, Math, more labs,
Research opportunity
Best for graduate school (M.S., Ph.D.)
Certificate in Conservation and
Biodiversity
For students interested in careers in Conservation, Natural
Resource Management, Environmental Science.
Requirements: 21 credit hrs including:
Ecology, Conservation Biology, Conservation
Internship, Biology electives (5 hrs),
Interdisciplinary courses (6 hrs)
For more information: Contact Dr. Valone
Reis Biological Station
SLU field station in the Ozarks
Offer summer courses (3 weeks late May – early June).
Examples: Cave Biology, Spring
Flora of the Ozarks, Aquatic Biology.
For more information: Dr. Valone