Biology

  • BIOL

    What is Biology?

    The program of study in biology leading to a Bachelor of Science degree provides students with the opportunity to pursue a major field of concentration in biology with the necessary specialization to succeed in a wide array of post-baccalaureate opportunities. The following degree tracks include the course work and experience necessary for student success.

    College of Science and Mathematics

    Learn more about Biology

    Admission Requirements

    None. 

    Any student admitted to KSU as a degree-seeking undergraduate may declare this major directly in Owl Express.

    Special General Education Requirements

    Area A2: Students must take MATH 1113 or higher.

    Area D1: Students must take MATH 1190 or higher.

    Area D2:  Students must take two four-hour laboratory sciences in Area D2. Students must choose from CHEM 1211/L, CHEM 1212/L, PHYS 1111/L*, PHYS 1112/L, PHYS 2211/L*, PHYS 2212/L, BIOL 1107/L, or BIOL 1108/L. *Students cannot take both PHYS 1111/L and PHYS 2211/L nor PHYS 1112/L and PHYS 2212/L.

    Concentrations Available

    •  General Biology Track: This track is designed to allow flexibility in preparing students for a multitude of biological roles. Students can design a course of study that will prepare them for work in private sectors, government agencies or for continued graduate education. 
    • Pre-Professional Track: This track is designed to prepare students for a multitude of post-baccalaureate education in the medical and professional fields. Course specifications exist for students interested in Human Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dentistry, Optometry, and a number of related fields.

    • Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology Track: This track is designed to prepare students for graduate school in a number of sub-disciplines that focus on cellular and sub-cellular processes or use a range of molecular techniques.

    • Ecology/Environmental Biology Track: This track Is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in the field of Ecology or Environmental Biology. Students completing this track will have the knowledge and skills to pursue further graduate education or obtain environmentally-related professional positions in the public and private sector.

    • Plant Biology Track: This track is designed for students interested in attending graduate school or entering the professional workforce where plants are the principal study organism.

    • Biotechnology Track: This track is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in the multitude of biotechnology companies in the Atlanta region and around the world. This track replaces the Biotechnology degree and specifically targets the concepts and techniques necessary to make students marketable across a range of professional opportunities.

    • Bioinformatics Track: This track is designed to prepare students for professional work or graduate education that uses bioinformatics. Bioinformatics underlies all genomic advances, encompassing principles and techniques for learning from sequence data stored in databases.

    Double Owl Pathways

     

    Related Minors or Certificates Available

    Sample Classes

    • This course introduces students to the concepts, methods, and equipment currently associated with the field of biotechnology. Students learn the applications of microbes, plants, and animals in the context of food, medical, environmental, and forensic biotechnology. Students gain practical, hands-on experience with a variety of techniques commonly used in biotechnology.

    • This course is a study of prokaryotes, unicellular eukaryotes and viruses. Students will learn about the nature of microorganisms and the techniques used to study microbes. Students will explore the morphology, metabolism, growth, and genetics of various microbes.

    • This course is an introduction to the major plant and animal taxa found in aquatic ecosystems. Students will develop field and laboratory identification and collection skills while examining major ecological and biogeographical factors influencing distribution and abundance of aquatic organisms. Notes: A series of three weekend field trips are required.

    • This course covers molecular genetics theory and practice. Students will examine gene structure and function to learn about genetic engineering and bioinformatics. Students will explore DNA structure, replication, and manipulation to understand sequencing, gene expression, and gene cloning. In the laboratory, students will create recombinant DNA, isolate and purify DNA for mapping and sequence analysis and examine the applications of real-time polymerase chain reactions.

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