This degree requires a minimum of 130 semester hours of course work, the final 65 hours of which, must be done at Mississippi College. In light of the fact that our Biology majors have a variety of career interests, we have organized the Biology degree into four different tracts, each designed to guide students in selecting courses that will best prepare them for their chosen field.
The Biology Medical Sciences track is created for students who anticipate attending Medical School or Dental School. It is designed to give the student a very strong scientific background in areas that will make the transition from undergraduate science education to Medical or Dental school education easier. You'll have the opportunity to take medical science courses such as Human Gross Anatomy, Human Neuroanatomy or Medical Physiology. You'll learn how to read basic MRI's, CAT Scans and X-rays, work with human cadavers. The degree is 130 semester hours.
| Requirements | Class Name | Hours |
| University Core | 36 | |
| Biology Core | 18 | |
| BIO 111 | Biology I | 4 |
| BIO 112 | Biology II | 4 |
| BIO 305 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIO 306 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIO 307 | Cell & Genetics Laboratory | 2 |
| BIO 431 | Biology Seminar | 1 |
| BIO 433 | Biology Capstone | 1 |
| Chemistry Core | 18 | |
| CHE 141 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHE 142 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHE 303 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHE 313 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| CHE 304 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHE 314 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 2 |
| Physics | 8 | |
| Choose the two 100 level courses or the two 200 level courses | ||
| PHY 151 | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 152 | General Physics II | 4 |
| PHY 251 | Fundamentals of Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 252 | Fundamentals of Physics II | 4 |
| Mathematics | 6 | |
| MAT 207 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| Choose one of the following courses | ||
| MAT 121 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 3 |
| MAT 122 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 3 |
| MAT 206 | Applied Calculus | 3 |
| Computer Science | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following courses | ||
| CSC 114 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| CSC 115 | Foundations of Computer Science | 3 |
| Communications | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following courses | ||
| COM 203 | Professional Communication Skills | 3 |
| COM 304 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Medical Sciences | 33 | |
| Choose 15 hours from the following courses | ||
| BIO 311 | Comparative & Developmental Anatomy | 4 |
| BIO 329 | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIO 403 | Vertebrate Histology | 5 |
| BIO 404 | Pharmacology | 5 |
| BIO 405 | Pharmacology II | 5 |
| BIO 406 | Introduction to Toxicology | 3 |
| BIO 407 | Biology of Cancer | 3 |
| BIO 409 | Human Embryology | 3 |
| BIO 410 | Human Gross Anatomy | 8 |
| BIO 412 | Medical Physiology I | 6 |
| BIO 413 | Medical Physiology II | 5 |
| BIO 414 | General Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO 415 | Immunology | 3 |
| BIO 416 | Immunology & Virology Lab | 1 |
| BIO 418 | Infectious Diseases | 3 |
| BIO 419 | DNA Forensics | 3 |
| BIO 417 | Medical Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO 422 | Virology | 3 |
| BIO 425 | Human Neuroanatomy | 5 |
| BIO 426 | Mitochondrial Genomics | 3 |
| General Electives | Sufficient elective hours must be taken to meet the minimum hour requirement for graduation (130 hrs). Electives should be chosen in consultation with advisor. | -- |
| Total Hours | 130 |
Please note: Starting in 2015, the new MCAT will have a Human Behavior section. Students are encouraged to take Psychology (PSY 201) and Sociology (SOC 205) in order to prepare for the MCAT.
Please note: UMC Dental School requires 3 hours of psychology.
The Biology Research track is created for students who wish to pursue a career in research. In addition to the general education requirements, student doing this track must take the following courses.
| Requirements | Class Name | Hours |
| University Core | 36 | |
| Biology Core | 18 | |
| BIO 111 | Biology I | 4 |
| BIO 112 | Biology II | 4 |
| BIO 305 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIO 306 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIO 307 | Cell & Genetics Laboratory | 2 |
| BIO 431 | Biology Seminar | 1 |
| BIO 433 | Biology Capstone | 1 |
| Chemistry Core | 13 | |
| CHE 141 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHE 142 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHE 303 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHE 313 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| Physics | 8 | |
| Choose the two 100 level courses or the two 200 level courses | ||
| PHY 151 | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 152 | General Physics II | 4 |
| PHY 251 | Fundamentals of Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 252 | Fundamentals of Physics II | 4 |
| Mathematics | 6 | |
| MAT 207 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| Choose one of the following courses | ||
| MAT 121 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 3 |
| MAT 122 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 3 |
| MAT 206 | Applied Calculus | 3 |
| Computer Science | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following courses | ||
| CSC 114 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| CSC 115 | Foundations of Computer Science | 3 |
| Communications | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following courses | ||
| COM 203 | Professional Comunication Skills | 3 |
| COM 304 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Research Track | ||
| Choose at least 12 hours of 300-400 level biology courses including | ||
| BIO 329 | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| 6 hours including | ||
| BIO 451 | Independent Studies & Research | 3 |
| BIO 452 | Independent Studies & Research | 3 |
| or | ||
| BIO 361 | Reading & Research for Honors I | |
| BIO 462 | Reading & Research for Honors II | |
| BIO 463 | Reading & Research for Honors III | |
| General Electives | Sufficient elective hours must be taken to meet the minimum hour requirement for graduation (130 hrs). Electives should be chosen in consultation with advisor. | -- |
| Total Hours | 130 |
This degree track in the Biology department is intended for students who anticipate teaching Biology in High School. Students who follow this curriculum will be eligible for certification in Biology and General Sciences (Grades 7-12). For other questions please contact Dr. Beth Dunigan.
| Requirement | Class Name | Hours |
| University Core | 36 | |
| Biology Core | 18 | |
| BIO 111 | Biology I | 4 |
| BIO 112 | Biology II | 4 |
| BIO 305 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIO 306 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIO 307 | Cell & Genetics Laboratory | 2 |
| BIO 431 | Biology Seminar | 1 |
| BIO 433 | Biology Capstone | 1 |
| Chemistry Core | 8 | |
| CHE 141 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHE 142 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| Mathematics | 6 | |
| MAT 207 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| Choose one of the following courses | ||
| MAT 121 | Calculus with Analytics Geometry I | 3 |
| MAT 122 | Calculus with Analytics Geometry II | 3 |
| MAT 206 | Applied Calculus | 3 |
| Computer Science | 3 | |
| CSC 114 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| or | ||
| CSC 115 | Foundations of Computer Science | 3 |
| Communication | 3 | |
| COM 203 | Professional Communication Skills | 3 |
| or | ||
| COM 304 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Teacher Education Track | 28 | |
| For students planning to teach in secondary schools - Students following this curriculum will be eligible for an educator license in Biology and General Science. Students should follow the current Secondary Education Biological Sciences Status Shet when selecting courses. | ||
| PHY 104 | Physics for Today | 3 |
| CHE 143 | Introduction to Organic & Biochemistry | 3 |
| BIO 145 | Introduction to Earth Science | 3 |
| BIO 203 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO 204 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| BIO 321 | Ecology | 4 |
| BIO 414 | General Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO 435 | Methods of Teaching Secondary School Science | 3 |
| Students seeking an additional licensing in Chemistry should complete a minor in Chemistry and drop the CHE 143 requirement. | ||
| Students seeking additional licensing in Physics should complete a minor in physics and drop the CHE 143 and PHY 104 requirements. | ||
| Professional Education, 7-12 | 28 | |
|
Students may not take EDU 403, 460, 431, 432, 433, 434, 471, 472, 473, 474 prior to admittance into the TEP. |
||
| EDU 299 | Pre-Teaching Field Experience | 1 |
| EDU 300 | Introduction to Education | 3 |
| EDU 304 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDU 403 | Measurement & Evaluation of Student Progress | 3 |
| PSY 435 | Psychology of Exceptional Children | 3 |
| EDU 460 | Managing the Secondary Classroom | 3 |
| EDU 431 | Directed Teaching in 7-12 | 3 |
| EDU 432 | Directed Teaching in 7-12 | 3 |
| EDU 433 | Directed Teaching in 7-12 | 3 |
| EDU 434 | Directed Teaching in 7-12 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 130 |
The General Biology degree track is recommended for students wishing to pursue careers such as Physical Therapy, Pharmacy, Physician Assistant's, Medical Technology and Field Biology. This is our most flexible degree track, which allows the student to form their curriculum to whatever suits their career goals best.
| Requirements | Class Name | Hours |
| University Core | 36 | |
| Biology Core | 18 | |
| BIO 111 | Biology I | 4 |
| BIO 112 | Biology II | 4 |
| BIO 305 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIO 306 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIO 307 | Cell & Genetics Laboratory | 2 |
| BIO 431 | Biology Seminar | 1 |
| BIO 433 | Biology Capstone | 1 |
| Chemistry Core | 8 | |
| CHE 141 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHE 142 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| Mathematics | 6 | |
| MAT 207 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| Choose one of the following courses | ||
| MAT 121 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 3 |
| MAT 122 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 3 |
| MAT 206 | Applied Calculus | 3 |
| Computer Science | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following courses | ||
| CSC 114 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| CSC 115 | Foundations of Computer Science | 3 |
| Communications | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following courses | ||
| COM 203 | Professional Comunication Skills | 3 |
| COM 304 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| General Biology Track | ||
| Option I | A minimum of 24 hours of 200-400 level biology electives except BIO 251-Microbiology. At least 24 hours must be 300-400 level courses. | |
| General Electives | Sufficient elective hours must be taken to meet the minimum hour requirement for graduation (130 hrs). Electives should be chosen in consultation with advisor. | -- |
| Total Hours | 130 |
The General Biology degree track is recommended for students wishing to pursue careers such as Physical Therapy, Pharmacy, Physician Assistant's, Medical Technology and Field Biology. This is our most flexible degree track, which allows the student to form their curriculum to whatever suits their career goals best.
Option II requires a minor in another subject area.
| Requirements | Class Name | Hours |
| University Core | 36 | |
| Biology Core | 18 | |
| BIO 111 | Biology I | 4 |
| BIO 112 | Biology II | 4 |
| BIO 305 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIO 306 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIO 307 | Cell & Genetics Laboratory | 2 |
| BIO 431 | Biology Seminar | 1 |
| BIO 433 | Biology Capstone | 1 |
| Chemistry Core | 8 | |
| CHE 141 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHE 142 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| Mathematics | 6 | |
| MAT 207 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| Choose one of the following courses | ||
| MAT 121 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 3 |
| MAT 122 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 3 |
| MAT 206 | Applied Calculus | 3 |
| Computer Science | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following courses | ||
| CSC 114 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| CSC 115 | Foundations of Computer Science | 3 |
| Communications | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following courses | ||
| COM 203 | Professional Communication Skills | 3 |
| COM 304 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| General Biology Track | ||
| Option II | 16 hours of 300-400 level biology courses beyond the Biology Core requirement | |
| General Electives | Sufficient elective hours must be taken to meet the minimum hour requirement for graduation (130 hrs). Electives should be chosen in consultation with advisor. | -- |
| Minor Requirements | A typical minor consists of 18 semester hours; however, some department minors may vary in terms of required semester hours. The minor should be selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. | |
| Total Hours | 130 |
