Requirements for a Major or Minor in Biology


Programs offered
• Major in Biology (32 credits in biology plus 12 supporting credits)
• Minor in Biology (20 credits)
• Minor in Vaccinology (22 credits plus 20 supporting credits)
• Minor in Neuroscience (see neuroscience) (22 credits in neuroscience plus 8 supporting credits)
• Major in Biology Education (32 credits in biology plus 32 credits in education)
• General Science add-on education program, grades 5-8
(see education) (32 credits in science)
• Science add-on endorsement for Elementary Education majors (see education) (25 credits in science and 10 credits in education)

Faculty and Staff
 William L. Todt, chair
Ellen L. Aho
Laura Aldrich-Wolfe
Jennifer L. Bath
D. Bryan Bishop
John A. Flaspohler
Colleen B. Hyde, laboratory technician
Ivan M. Johnson, biologist-in-residence
Michelle D. Marko
Ronald L. Nellermoe, biologist-in-residence
Carol I. Pratt
Julie C. Rutherford
Krystle D. Strand
Joseph C. Whittaker

The biology department mission is to:
• convey to students an understanding of how the biological sciences inform society
• convey an understanding of how the human population and nature are interacting parts of creation
• explore the limitations, boundaries, and ethical implications of scientific knowledge and practice
• provide students with experiences that introduce them to up-to-date technologies and research methods employed in biology
• foster respect and appreciation for different modes of inquiry in the biological sciences
The biology department provides learning experiences that prepare students to achieve the following outcomes:
• understand the basic concepts of the biological sciences
• understand the limitations, boundaries, and ethical implications of scientific knowledge and practice
• be familiar with to up-to-date technologies and research methods employed in biological sciences
• experience different modes of inquiry in the biological sciences, such as group learning and collaborative problem solving
• develop professional communication skills, including scientific reading, writing and speaking
In addition, the department seeks to convey the excitement of biological inquiry and discovery through a variety of means: encouraging group learning and collaborative problem solving, providing opportunities to explore career options and helping students to develop professional communication skills, including scientific reading, writing and speaking. Sophomore and above biology majors who meet criteria are invited to participate in the biology departmental honors program. Biology students are encouraged to participate in laboratory or field research projects, which can be arranged on a directed research basis with various faculty members in the biology department. Majors are also regularly employed as laboratory assistants in the beginning biology courses and as teaching assistants to individual faculty, where they gain valuable teaching experience under the direct supervision of a biology staff member.

Major in Biology
 The requirements for a major in biology are 32 credits in biology plus 12 supporting credits:
• BIOL 121 – Cell Biology, 4 credits
• BIOL 122 – Evolution and Diversity, 4 credits
• BIOL 221 – Ecology, 4 credits
• BIOL 222 – Genetics and Molecular Biology, 4 credits
• 4-credit field course selected from
− BIOL 305 – Ecology and Field Biology, 4 credits
− BIOL 309 – Ornithology, 4 credits
− BIOL 311 – Entomology, 4 credits
− BIOL 313 – Plant Taxonomy, 4 credits
− BIOL 405 – General Ecology, 4 credits
− BIOL 409 – Limnology, 4 credits
• 4-credit laboratory-based course selected from
− BIOL 306 – Human Anatomy and Physiology, 4 credits
− BIOL 324 – Invertebrate Zoology, 4 credits
− BIOL 336 – Histology, 4 credits
− BIOL 350 – Animal Behavior, 4 credits
− BIOL 352 – Immunology and Parasitology, 4 credits
− BIOL 400, NEU 400 – Neurobiology, 4 credits
− BIOL 402 – Embryology, 4 credits
− BIOL 407 – Microbiology, 4 credits
− BIOL 411 – Integrated Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology I, 4 credits
− BIOL 412 – Integrated Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology II, 4 credits
− BIOL 416 – Advanced Topics in Genetics, 4 credits
• 8 additional credits from 300- or 400-level biology courses
No more than the equivalent of 4 credits from the following may be applied toward the major:
− BIOL 300 – May Seminar
− BIOL 380 – Special Topics
− BIOL 480 – Independent Study
− BIOL 490 – Directed Research
The following cannot be counted toward a major:
– BIOL 303 – Biomedical Ethics, 4 credits
– BIOL 390 – Cooperative Education, 2 to 4 credits
• Supporting courses required for the major:
– MATH 110 – Precalculus, 4 credits OR
MATH 121 – Calculus I, 4 credits OR
MATH 205 – Introduction to Statistics, 4 credits
– CHEM 127-128 – General Chemistry I and II, 4 credits each OR
CHEM 137-138 – Honors Chemistry I and II, 4 credits each
The biology major field test provided by Educational Testing Service must be taken the last semester prior to graduation. The department will announce the date.
Organic chemistry, physics and mathematics are recommended as supporting courses for biology majors. For graduate work in the biological sciences, many schools require the following or their equivalents:
– MATH 121 – Calculus I, 4 credits
– MATH 122 – Calculus II, 4 credits
– PHYS 111 – General College Physics I, 4 credits
– PHYS 112 – General College Physics II, 4 credits
– CHEM 341 – Organic Chemistry I, 4 credits
– CHEM 342 – Organic Chemistry II, 4 credits
– CHEM 373 – Biochemistry I, 4 credits
– An applied statistics course
– Research experience such as BIOL 490

Minor in Biology
 The requirements for a minor in biology are 20 credits:
• BIOL 121 – Cell Biology, 4 credits
• BIOL 122 – Evolution and Diversity, 4 credits
• BIOL 221 – Ecology, 4 credits
• BIOL 222 – Genetics and Molecular Biology, 4 credits
• 4 credits from 300- or 400-level biology courses
The following cannot be counted toward a minor:
– BIOL 303 – Biomedical Ethics, 4 credits
– BIOL 390 – Cooperative Education, 2 to 4 credits

Minor in Vaccinology
 The requirements for a minor in vaccinology are 22 credits plus 20 supporting credits:
• BIOL 222 – Genetics and Molecular Biology, 4 credits
• BIOL 235 – Introduction to Vaccinology Seminar, 1 credit
• BIOL 352 – Immunology and Parasitology, 4 credits
• BIOL 435 – Advanced Vaccinology Seminar, 1 credit
• MATH 205 – Introduction to Statistics, 4 credits
• 4-credit bioscience or chemistry course selected from:
– BIOL 407 – Microbiology, 4 credits
– BIOL 406 – Advanced Cellular Biology, 4 credits
– CHEM 373 – Biochemistry I, 4 credits
• 4-credit research or industry course selected from:
– BCBT 475 – Biotechniques: Research and Communication I, 2 credits
– BCBT 476 – Biotechniques: Research and Communication II, 2 credits
– BCBT 420 – Introduction to Working in a Regulated Biochemistry and Biotechnology Industry, 4 credits
– BCBT 425 – Introduction to Validation in the Biochemistry and Biotechnology Industry, 4 credits
– BCBT 430 – Introduction to Quality Assurance and Quality Control in Biochemistry and Biotechnology Industry, 4 credits
(BCBT courses are offered at MSUM)
– BIOL 490 – Directed Research in Biology, 1 to 4 credits
– CHEM 490 – Introduction to Research in Chemistry, 1 to 4 credits
(Research must apply techniques related to vaccinology industry)
• Supporting courses required for the minor:
– BIOL 121 – Cell Biology, 4 credits
– BIOL 122 – Evolution and Diversity, 4 credits
– BIOL 221 – Ecology, 4 credits
– CHEM 127-128 – General Chemistry I and II, 4 credits each OR
CHEM 137-138 – Honors Chemistry I and II, 4 credits each

Major in Biology Education
 This major prepares students to be recommended by the Concordia College department of education for Minnesota licensure to teach biology in grades 9-12. To be eligible to complete this major, the student must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program. (See education pages for program information, requirements and course descriptions.)
The requirements for a major in biology education, are 32 credits in biology plus 32 credits in education:
• BIOL 121 – Cell Biology, 4 credits
• BIOL 122 – Evolution and Diversity, 4 credits
• BIOL 221 – Ecology, 4 credits
• BIOL 222 – Genetics and Molecular Biology, 4 credits
• 16 additional credits in biology, including at least:
• 4-credit field course selected from:
– BIOL 305 – Ecology and Field Biology, 4 credits
– BIOL 309 – Ornithology, 4 credits
– BIOL 311 – Entomology, 4 credits
– BIOL 313 – Plant Toxonomy, 4 credits
– BIOL 405 – General Ecology, 4 credits
– BIOL 409 – Limnology, 4 credits
– ESC 302, ENVR 302 – Geology, 4 credits
AND
• 4-credit laboratory-based course selected from:
– BIOL 306 – Human Anatomy and Physiology, 4 credits
– BIOL 324 – Invertebrate Zoology, 4 credits
– BIOL 336 – Histology, 4 credits
– BIOL 350 – Animal Behavior, 4 credits
– BIOL 352 – Immunology and Parasitology, 4 credits
– BIOL 400, NEU 400 – Neurobiology, 4 credits
– BIOL 402 – Embryology, 4 credits
– BIOL 407 – Microbiology, 4 credits
– BIOL 411 – Integrated Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology I, 4 credits
– BIOL 412 – Integrated Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology II, 4 credits
– BIOL 416 – Advanced Topics in Genetics, 4 credits
• EDUC 372 – Methods of Teaching in Science, 4 credits, (required methods of teaching course)
• Successful completion of the secondary/K-12 required coursework. (See Education: Coursework in Secondary/K-12 Education.
The biology major field test provided by Educational Testing Service must be taken the last semester prior to graduation. The department will announce the date.
General Science add-on Education Program, grades 5-8
A recommended addition to the major in biology education is the general science add-on education program, grades 5-8. The requirements for this program are 32 credits in science (see education).

General Science add-on Education Program, grades 5-8
A recommended addition to the major in biology education is the general science add-on education program, grades 5-8. The requirements for this program are 32 credits in science (see education).