I. ASCRC Symbolic Systems Request (3/5/14)
Use to request or renew the general Group III Exception: Symbolic Systems for degree
programs or options. Please complete a separate form for each degree requesting the
exception.
Degree or Degree Option*
Biology – option Natural History
*For options include all degree requirements followed by the
option requirements.
Dept/Program
DBS
Approved Symbolic System(s) M 162 (applied calculus) or M 171 (calculus I) or M 181
(honors calculus I)
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Requestor
Phone / Email
Date
Charles Janson
charles.janson@mso.u
mt.edu
Program Chair
Charles Janson
Dean
CHS, Dean Comer
III: Justification Please explain why the program of study requires over 48 credits for a
first baccalaureate degree:
Biology is arguably the most integrative of the natural sciences. A working understanding of
biological processes requires both inorganic and organic chemistry, basic physics, and calculus.
These courses alone add up to at least 26 credits (and up to 38). Adding in our core courses and
a modest number of required courses within the major, nearly all options in biology,
microbiology, and the medical technology degrees have at least 69 required credits. The credit
requirements in biology at UM are not exceptional, but quite routine for undergraduate degree
programs in the biological sciences at U.S. universities.
IV. Degree Requirements: (1) List all courses required for the major and the credits
earned. Courses that apply toward the 48-credit threshold include all requirements for the
primary major and designated pre-requisite courses (2) Subtract general education credits
fulfilled by these requirements. Example: If a major requires PHSX 205N-208N (totaling 10
credits), only 4 credits apply towards the 48 credit threshold since 6 credits are needed to fulfill
general education group XI (Natural Sciences).
Required Biology Core Courses:
 BIOB 160N - Principles of Living Systems (4)
 BIOB 170N - Princpls Biological Diversity (3)
 BIOB 171N - Princpls Biological Dvrsty Lab (2)
 BIOB 260 - Cellular and Molecular Biology (4)
 BIOB 272 - Genetics and Evolution (4)
Total core courses: 17 credits
- 6 credits for Natural Sciences GER
Running Subtotal: 11 credits
Total Credits (Excluding General Education Credits):
V. Option Requirements:
All Required:
 BIOE 370 - General Ecology (3)
 BIOE 371 - Gen Ecology Lab (2)
 BIOE 406 - Behavior & Evolution (4)
 BIOO 320 - General Botany (5)
 BIOO 335 - Rocky Mountain Flora (3)
 BIOO 462 – Entomology (4)
Running Subtotal: 32 credits
One from:
o BIOO 470 – Ornithology (4)
o BIOO 475 – Mammalogy (4)
Running Subtotal: 36 credits
All required:
o CHMY 121N - Intro to General Chemistry (3)
o CHMY 123N/124N - Intro to Organic & Biochem & Lab (5)
o GEO 101N/102N - Intro to Physical Geology & Lab (4)
Running Subtotal: 48
Required Cognate electives:
Complete 20 credits from the following disciplines (maximum of 10 credits/discipline): ANTY, ASTR,
CHMY (excluding 121N, 123N, 124N), GPHY, GEO (excluding 101N, 102N), FORS, M, PHSX, STAT, or
WILD
Running Subtotal (minimum): 68
**please note that the natural history option does not require calculus; however, students may elect to take
calculus as a cognate elective course. If they do, we would like this to meet GER symbolic systems. If they
elect to not take calculus for their major, then they will take a modern/classical language sequence for GER.
Total Credits (Excluding General Education Credits): 68
Please note: Programs granted a symbolic-systems exception to the general education modern and
classical languages requirement will have to reapply every four years to keep the exception. The
application will require an up-to-date accounting showing that the 48-credit threshold is exceeded.