The major in Biology is designed to increase your appreciation of the diversity and complexity of life; increase your understanding of the unifying principles and subject content of Biology; and introduce you to the personal, social and ethical aspects of Biology. The Department of Natural Sciences, which administers the major in Biology, strives to develop students’ basic skills in critical thinking, problem solving and communication. The course of study is designed to prepare students for graduate education in the biological sciences; professional studies such as medical, dental, or veterinary sciences; or employment in government, industry or education.

Tennessee Wesleyan College is affiliated with the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory of the University of Southern Mississippi Institute of Marine Sciences. This program allows students to enroll for credit in approximately twenty-five summer courses offered by GCRL. Students who may be interested in this should speak to their advisor for more information.

Students may pursue either the B.A. or B.S. in Biology. Required biology courses are identified for both programs, but the B.A. requires that you demonstrate knowledge of at least one foreign language at the intermediate level.

The B.S., in one of three areas of emphases, Environmental Studies, General Science, and Pre-Professional Studies, is also offered as outlined below.

Requirements for the B.A. or B.S. in Biology
The major in Biology requires 39 semester hours in biology courses including:

B 171 Introductory Cell Biology 4 s.h.
B 173 General Botany 3 s.h.
B 174 General Zoology 3 s.h.
B 265 General Microbiology 4 s.h.
B 270 Principles of Genetics 4 s.h.
B 360 Principles of Ecology 4 s.h.
B 303 Plant Anatomy and Taxonomy OR
B 410 Plant Physiology 4 s.h.
B 384 Vertebrate Anatomy and Development OR
B 472 Animal Physiology 4 s.h.
B 450 Evolutionary Biology 3 s.h.
B 463 Cellular and Molecular Biology 4 s.h.
B 471 Seminar in Biology 2 s.h.

Additional requirements for the major in Biology are

C 101, 102 General Chemistry I, II 8 s.h.
C 201, 202 Organic Chemistry I, II 8 s.h.
P 211, 212 General Physics I, II 8 s.h.
M 141, 142 Precalculus Mathematics I, II
  OR 6 s.h. M 181 Calculus I 4 s.h.
 

Requirements for the B.S. in Biology
with Environmental Studies Emphasis

B 171 Introductory Cell Biology 4 s.h.
B 173 General Botany 3 s.h.
B 174 General Zoology 3 s.h.
B 265 General Microbiology 4 s.h.
B 270 Principles of Genetics 4 s.h.
B 360 Principles of Ecology 4 s.h.
B 303 Plant Anatomy and Taxonomy OR
   B 410 Plant Physiology OR
   B 384 Vertebrate Anatomy and Development OR
   B 472 Animal Physiology 4 s.h.
B 450 Evolutionary Biology 3 s.h.
B 463 Cellular and Molecular Biology 4 s.h.
ES 100 Environmental Studies 4 s.h.
ES 400 Health & Environmental Risk Assessment 4 s.h.
ES 499 Environmental Studies Internship 2 s.h.

Additional requirements:

C 101, 102 General Chemistry I, II 8 s.h.
C 201, 202 Organic Chemistry I, II 8 s.h.
C 331 Quantitative Analysis 5 s.h.
P 211, 212 General Physics I, II 8 s.h.
M 181 Calculus I 4 s.h.

Requirements for the B.S. in Biology
with Pre-Professional Studies Emphasis

This emphasis is designed to provide students with a foundation in the sciences that should prepare them to apply to a professional school in the health field (medical, dental, veterinary, etc.).  The emphasis requires 36 semester hours in biology courses including:

B 171 Introductory Cell Biology 4 s.h.
B 173 General Botany 3 s.h.
B 174 General Zoology 3 s.h.
B 265 Microbiology 4 s.h.
B 270 Principles of Genetics 4 s.h.
B 271 Seminar in Pre-Professional Studies 1 s.h.
B 384* Vertebrate Anatomy and Development and/or
   B 472* Animal Physiology and/or
   B 410* Plant Physiology 8 s.h.
B 450 Evolutionary Biology 3 s.h.
B 463 Cellular and Molecular Biology 4 s.h.
B 471 Seminar in Biology 2 s.h.

Additional requirements:

C 101, 102 General Chemistry I, II 8 s.h.
C 201, 202 Organic Chemistry I, II 8 s.h.
C 362 Biochemistry 3 s.h.
P 211, 212 General Physics I, II 8 s.h.
M 141, 142 Precalculus Mathematics I, II 6 s.h.

*Select a minimum of 8 semester hours from these courses.