Department Head: Dr. Lori Hensley
242 Martin Hall
The Department of Biology offers a diverse spectrum of undergraduate courses in the biological sciences that enable a student to develop an understanding and appreciation of life, from molecular to ecological, and to develop the strong academic background necessary for pursuing graduate study or a career in biology or the health professions. The department recognizes the importance of both content and process in science education and thus offers the opportunity to develop communication skills and engage in undergraduate research in the biological sciences.
The Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees with a major in Biology require an overall minimum of 120 hours with a minimum of 36 hours of 300/400 level courses. At least 12 hours of the 300/400 level courses must be taken in residence at JSU. Students must earn a “C” or better in biology coursework and maintain a 2.00 GPA overall and in the courses taken on campus. Once the student has met the requirements for the major, the hours remaining to complete the 120 hours overall will be classified as electives. Students pursuing a degree in Biology are not required to have a minor in another academic discipline.
The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology is for those who intend to pursue careers in:
- health professions such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine
- graduate programs leading to a PhD in any field of biology for students who want to become research scientists or pursue a career in academia
- the pharmaceutical or medical industry, such as sales or consulting
The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Biology is for those who intend to pursue careers in:
- health professions such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, accelerated nursing programs, and physician assistants
- federal and state governmental professions (USFW, NOAA, NMFS, etc.)
- biological education at the high school level
- graduate programs leading to an MS in any field of biology for students who want to become laboratory technicians or enter biological education at the high school or community college level, or enter the workforce (industrial, governmental) at a higher pay grade
Please check requirements for your desired professional and educational programs. Some pre-requisite courses may be required that are not included in our degree requirements.
After completing a common core of biology courses, the Biology major may choose a concentration from the listing below.
- Cellular and Molecular Biology
- Ecology and Environmental Biology
- Marine Biology
- Organismal Biology
- Pre-Health Professional Biology
Advising—Students who plan to earn the BS degree in Biology should consult with their assigned professional academic advisor for advisement early in their plan of study and every semester thereafter. To complete the Biology degree program, the students majoring in Biology must plan carefully, since science laboratories can cause scheduling conflicts. An advisor can alert students to potential problems and assist in minimizing such conflicts. It is recommended that the Biology major complete the biology core of two semesters of introductory biology, genetics, cell biology, and ecology early in the course of study.
Additional departmental, program, advising, and career information is available at www.jsu.edu/biology.
- Biology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Biology - Cellular and Molecular Biology (Bachelor of Science)
- Biology - Ecology and Environmental Biology (Bachelor of Science)
- Biology - Marine Biology (Bachelor of Science)
- Biology - Organismal Biology (Bachelor of Science)
- Biology - Pre-Health Professional Biology (Bachelor of Science)
- Biology Minor
- Cannabis Business and Culture Microcredential
- Cannabis Science Microcredential
Biology
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Honors Program or approval of instructor.
Corequisite(s): BY 107.
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of BY 105 or approval of instructor.
Corequisite(s): BY 108.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101 and BY 103.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101, BY 121, or BY 122, and BY 103, BY 104, or BY 107.
Prerequisite(s): BY 263.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101, 102, 103, 104.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101, BY 102, BY 103, and BY 104.
Prerequisite(s): BY 322 or 332 or 373.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101, 102, 103, 104; either BY 322, 332, or 373; and permission of instructor required.
Prerequisite(s): BY 332.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101 and BY 102.
Prerequisite(s): BY 322, 332, or 373 and MS 204.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101, BY 102, BY 103, and BY 104.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101, BY 102, BY 103, and BY 104.
Prerequisite(s): 8 hours of biology, CY105, and CY107.
Prerequisite(s): BY 332.
Prerequisite(s): BY 332.
Prerequisite(s): BY 332.
Prerequisite(s): BY 332.
Prerequisite(s): BY 332, BY 373.
Prerequisite(s): BY 322 or approval of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): BY 373.
Prerequisite(s): BY 332.
Prerequisite(s): BY 332.
Prerequisite(s): BY 373 and CY 106.
Prerequisite(s): BY 373.
Prerequisite(s): BY 373.
Prerequisite(s): BY 332.
Prerequisite(s): BY 373 and CY 231.
Prerequisite(s): Senior Standing.
Prerequisite(s): CY 232, CY 362, and PHS 202 or PHS 222.
Marine Biology
Prerequisite(s): BY 101, 102, 103, 104.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101, BY 102, BY 103, BY 104, one year of general chemistry, and one semester of general physics.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101, BY 102, BY 103, and BY 104.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101, BY 102, BY 103, and BY 104.
Prerequisite(s): One year of general biology or one year of general zoology and one year of general botany; one year of general chemistry; one semester of physics; and one semester of college algebra.
Prerequisite(s): Advanced undergraduate standing.
Prerequisite(s): Advanced undergraduate standing.
Prerequisite(s): Advanced undergraduate standing.
Prerequisite(s): Advanced undergraduate standing.
Prerequisite(s): Advanced undergraduate standing in Biology or Environmental Engineering.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101, 102, 103 and 104.
Prerequisite(s): BY 320 and MBY 486.
Prerequisite(s): BY 323.
Prerequisite(s): Advanced undergraduate standing.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101, BY 102, BY 103, and BY 104.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.