Nov 27, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biological Sciences, BA

Program Description

Biology encompasses the broad spectrum of the modern life sciences, including the study of all aspects of life from the structure and function of the whole organism down to the subcellular levels and up through the interactions of organisms to the integrated existence of life on the entire planet. Descriptive, structural, functional, and evolutionary questions are explored through the hierarchy of the organization of life. Applications of current advances to the health and well-being of humans and society, to nature and the continuation of earth as a balanced ecosystem, and to an appreciation of the place of natural science in our cultural heritage receive emphasis. Majors in Biological Sciences receive classroom, laboratory, and field training in biology with an emphasis on chemistry, mathematics, and physics as necessary tools.

The Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences provides a strong foundation in biology and is ideal for students desiring a liberal education emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach to a thorough understanding of the life sciences.

Double Major in Biological Sciences/Science Teaching-Biological Sciences

The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biological Sciences and Science Teaching-Biological Sciences prepares students for teaching biology on the secondary school level and for graduate studies in any of the life science areas. See Science Teaching: Teaching Area - Biological Sciences, BA  for the curriculum.

Note: To receive a double major in Biological Sciences and Science Teaching-Biological Sciences, the student must complete a change-of-program form to declare both majors.

Program Requirements

Freshman Year

First Semester

Credit Hours: 16

Second Semester

Credit Hours: 14

Sophomore Year

First Semester

Credit Hours: 17

Second Semester

Credit Hours: 15

Junior Year

First Semester

Credit Hours: 15

Second Semester

  • Arts and Humanities (Non-Literature) Requirement 3 Credits 3
  • Ecology Requirement 3 Credits 12
  • Minor Requirement 6 Credits 11
  • Modern Language Requirement 3 Credits 7
Credit Hours: 15

Senior Year

First Semester

Credit Hours: 15

Second Semester

Credit Hours: 13

Total Credits: 120

Footnotes

1 Students seeking a double major in Science Teaching and Biological Sciences should refer to the Science Teaching: Teaching Area - Biological Sciences, BA  program.

2 BIOL 1100  and BIOL 1110  are strongly recommended; however, BIOL 1030 /BIOL 1050  may substitute for BIOL 1100 , and BIOL 1040 /BIOL 1060  may substitute for BIOL 1110 .

3 See General Education Requirements . The Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT) includes questions on psychology and sociology. Three of these credits must also satisfy the South Carolina REACH Act Requirement. See the South Carolina REACH Act Requirement in the Academic Regulations  section.

4 MATH 1080 , STAT 2300 , or other approved coursework. See advisor. Medical and dental schools have different mathematics requirements. Statistics will be useful in either graduate study or professional school.

5 CH 2010  and CH 2020  may be substituted. Most professional health sciences schools require two semesters of organic chemistry with laboratory, CH 2230 /CH 2270  and CH 2240 /CH 2280 .

6 GEN 3020  may be substituted.

7 Students must complete through 2020 in a modern language. See Modern Languages Requirement at Clemson University statement in Academic Regulations .

8 BCHM 3010  may be substituted.

9 Four credit hours must be selected from BIOL, ETOX or MICR courses at the 3000 level or above (except MICR 3000 ) or CH 2240 /CH 2280 , ENR 4130 , WFB 3130 , WFB 4720 , or WFB 4770 .

10 At least one lecture and associated laboratory selected from BIOL 3010 , BIOL 3020 /BIOL 3060 , BIOL 3030 /BIOL 3070 , BIOL 3040 /BIOL 3080 , BIOL 3200 , BIOL 4060 /BIOL 4070 , BIOL 4250 /BIOL 4260 .

11 See Minors .

12 At least one course selected from BIOL 4100 , BIOL 4410 , BIOL 4420 , BIOL 4430 , BIOL 4460 , BIOL 4480 , BIOL 4700 , or MICR 4030 .

13 PHYS 1220 /PHYS 1240  may be substituted.

14 At least one course selected from BIOL 3160 , BIOL 4040 , BIOL 4080 , BIOL 4200 , BIOL 4210 , BIOL 4400 , BIOL 4530 , BIOL 4590 , BIOL 4750 , BIOL 4800 , BIOL 4830 , BIOL 4840 , MICR 4140  or MICR 4170 . 

15 PHYS 2210 /PHYS 2230  may be substituted.

NOTE: A transfer course may not be used to satisfy the General Education Global Challenges Requirement. While a transfer course may fulfill other degree requirements, students must enroll in a Clemson course(s) on the Global Challenges list to fulfill the Global Challenges Requirement.