Nov 23, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biological Sciences, BS

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 Science in Biological Sciences curriculum prepares students for graduate study in any of the life science areas (such as agricultural sciences, biochemistry, botany, cell and molecular biology, conservation, ecology and environmental science, entomology, forestry, genetics, industrial and regulatory biology, microbiology, morphology, physiology, wildlife biology, and zoology; for the health professions (medicine, dentistry, etc.), veterinary medicine; and for science teaching.

Combined Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences/Master of Science in Bioengineering

Under this plan, students may reduce the time necessary to earn both degrees by applying graduate credits to both undergraduate and graduate program requirements. See Academic Regulations for enrollment guidelines and procedures. Students are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements for the dual degree from the Department of Biological Sciences or Bioengineering as early as possible in their undergraduate program as a number of required courses have prerequisites not normally taken by Biological Sciences majors.

Program Requirements

Freshman Year

First Semester

Credits: 16

Second Semester

Credits: 14

Sophomore Year

First Semester

Credit Hours: 14

Second Semester

Credit Hours: 16

Junior Year

First Semester

Credit Hours: 15

Second Semester

Credit Hours: 15

Senior Year

First Semester

Credit Hours: 15

Second Semester

  • Global Challenges Requirement 3 Credits 2
  • Major Requirement 6 Credits 8
  • Elective 6 Credits
Credit Hours: 15

Total Credits: 120

Footnotes

1 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 .

2 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.

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

4 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 .

5 GEN 3020  may be substituted.

6 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 .

7 BCHM 3010  may be substituted.

8 Twenty-one credit hours from 3000-level or higher BIOL, ETOX or MICR courses (except MICR 3000 ) or from CH 2240 /CH 2280 , ENR 4130 , WFB 3130 , WFB 4720 , or WFB 4770 . Selections must include at least three laboratory courses. Any combination of BIOL 3940 , BIOL 4910 , BIOL 4920 , BIOL 4940 , BIOL 4950 , MICR 3940 , MICR 4910 , MICR 4920 , MICR 4940  and MICR 4950  may not exceed eight credits.

9 PHYS 1220 /PHYS 1240  may be substituted.

10 At least one course selected from BIOL 4020 , BIOL 4030 , BIOL 4090 , BIOL 4110 , BIOL 4240 , BIOL 4280 , BIOL 4330 , BIOL 4440 , BIOL 4450 , BIOL 4470 , BIOL 4500 , BIOL 4570 , BIOL 4600 , BIOL 4620 , BIOL 4710 , BIOL 4760 , or BIOL 4820 . 

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

12 PHYS 2210 /PHYS 2230  may be substituted.

13 At least one course selected from 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 .

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.