Academic Bulletin

College of Arts & Sciences - Undergraduate

BIOLOGY - Dept. Codes: BIL
www.bio.miami.edu/

Bachelor of Science | Bachelor of Arts | Neuroscience Major | Biology Minor | Honors

Two undergraduate degrees are available in Biology: the B.S. and B.A.
Both require a major in Biology of 34 credits with a minimum grade of C- in each course and an overall GPA of 2.0.

BACHELOR of SCIENCE DEGREE

The B.S. degree is recommended in preparation for graduate schools, professional schools, marine biology, and high school or college teaching. In addition to the College of Arts and Sciences general degree requirements, the B.S. requirements are as follows:

1. BIL 150, 151, 160, 161
2. BIL 235, 250, 255, 265
3. Two laboratory or field courses beyond 151, 161 may be counted towards this requirement.
4. Additional BIL electives to total 34 credits.

One course of up to four credits toward the major, but not the minor, may be selected from courses numbered 300 or higher from the following departments: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Marine Biology and Fisheries, or Microbiology and Immunology. BME 305 may be used instead of a course from BMB, MBF, or MIC.

• A maximum of two credits of BIL 371 and BIL 372 and six credits of BIL 495, 496 and 497 may be applied towards the major.

• One course only from BIL 495, 496 or 497 may be counted towards the laboratory course requirement for the B.S. degree.

• A maximum of one credit in BIL 381 and one credit of BIL 382 may be applied towards the major, although these two courses may be taken more than once each for general elective credit.

In addition, students must complete the following:

1. Select one course from the following: BIL 311, BIL 511, EEN 118, CSC 120, MTH 224, PSY 204, or equivalent. This will fulfill the Mathematics-statistics/computer programming requirement under the College of Arts and Sciences General degree requirements.
   
2. One year of inorganic chemistry (111-112) with laboratory (113-114), one semester of organic chemistry with laboratory (201/205).
   
3. Two semesters of college physics with laboratory or three semesters of university physics with laboratory.
   
4. A minor in chemistry, physics, geological sciences, marine sciences, biochemistry and molecular biology, computer science, mathematics, or microbiology and immunology.

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BACHELOR of ARTS DEGREE

The B.A. degree is recommended for students involved in interdisciplinary programs and for entrance to those professional schools and specific biological careers not requiring a B.S. degree with a major in Biology. In addition to the College of Arts and Sciences degree requirements, the B.A. requirements are as follows:

1. Biology 150, 151, 160, 161 plus BIL electives to total 34 credits.
2. One course of up to four credits toward the major, but not the minor, may be selected from courses numbered 300 or higher from the following departments: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Marine Biology and Fisheries, or Microbiology and Immunology. BME 305 may be used instead of a course from BMB, MBF, or MIC.
3. One semester of inorganic chemistry with laboratory (111/113 or 103/105) and one semester of organic chemistry with laboratory (201/205 or 104/106).
4. A minor in a department other than natural science.

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NEUROSCIENCE MAJOR

A major in Neuroscience leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Arts and Sciences is offered through an interdisciplinary program by faculty from the Departments of Biology and Psychology and faculty from the School of Medicine. For details, consult the program description listed under NEUROSCIENCE.

Transfer students will be advised as needed, to adjust previous work to the above programs.

Prospective biology teachers should contact the School of Education for current certification requirements.

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BIOLOGY MINOR

A biology minor consists of one year of general biology with laboratory plus BIL electives to total 18 credits, with a minimum grade of C- in each course. (Note: All courses in the minor must be in BIL. Courses from BMB, MBF, MIC, or BME may not be counted towards the minor.)

Overall GPA in the major or minor must be a minimum of 2.0.

One half of the credits required for a Biology major or minor must be earned in residence at the University of Miami

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HONORS PROGRAM

See HONORS PROGRAMS elsewhere in this Bulletin for minimal requirements. In addition to the grade point averages specified in the minimal requirements, the following program constitutes the Biology Departmental Honors Program:

1. A minimum of two of the following: Biology 495, 496, 497 (2 credits each), involving a research project carried out under the supervision of a member of the Department of Biology faculty.
2. Biology 498, a senior thesis, of superior quality, on the results of the research.
3. Biology 499.
4. A minimum of two BIL credits from the following list: 253, 257, 299, 374, 375.
5. A minimum of one course in the Department of Biology at the 500 level.
6. An overall GPA of 3.3 and a biology GPA. of 3.5.

Advanced placement, and in certain situations, course credit can be earned through the College Entrance Examination Board program, placement examinations, and departmental proficiency examinations.

For Graduate programs, consult the Graduate School section of this Bulletin.

Variations within the above program may be permitted by the Department Chairman in special cases.

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