Undergraduate Programs

• BS Degree in Biology
• BS Degree in Composite Teaching--Biological Science
• BA Degrees in Biology and Composite Teaching--Biological Science
• BS Degree in Public Health
• Biology Minor
• Biomath Minor
• Public Health Minor

Objectives: Undergraduate Outcomes
The Department of Biology offers a wide range of degrees designed to provide immediate employment opportunities or preparation for graduate or professional school (including medical and dental.) The specific objectives of these degrees and emphases are discussed below, however all have the following general objectives in common:

1. Graduates will understand the processes and methodologies of science.
2. Graduates will master the core curriculum in:
   1. Biological Diversity and Classification
   2. Growth and Development
   3. Genetics and Reproduction
   4. Energy and Matter in Biological Systems
   5. Regulatory Mechanisms and Behavior
   6. Ecology
   7. Evolution
3. Graduates will master the specialized curriculum in their emphasis as preparation for employment or further study.
4. Graduates will be proficient in mathematics and the physical sciences as required by their emphasis.
5. Graduates will be equipped with the skills and background to continue their education and remain current in their chosen field.
6. Graduates will understand the historical and social context of biological thought and research. They will understand the role and responsibility of biology to provide information to citizens related to the ethical, social and environmental issues related to the biological sciences.
7. Graduates will have effective communication skills.

Requirement Changes
Department of Biology majors will be responsible for meeting the requirements that were in effect when they entered the program. Majors should consult with their advisors on a regular basis to be aware of any changes in requirements.

BS Degree in Biology  (Back to Top)

Four different emphases are available within the Biology degree.  The Biology Emphasis is the most flexible option.  Electives may be selected in any subdiscipline the student wishes to emphasize (e.g., botany, ecology, zoology, entomology, microbiology).  The Cellular / Molecular and Ecology / Biodiversity emphases provide more directed training that is appropriate for research or other technical employment in academic institutions, government agencies, and the private sector.  They also provide excellent preparation for graduate or professional school.   The Environmental Emphasis prepares students in the biological and physical sciences as they relate to environmental problems and concerns.  This degree serves as a foundation for graduate work and provides practical training for employment at the bachelor's degree level.  Emphases will be listed on transcripts to indicate the student's specialization.  The course requirements are as follows:

Biology Emphasis
BIOL 1610, 1620, 2220, 3060; BIOL 3300 or 5210; BIOL 5250; one of BIOL 2410, 3220, 4500, 5530, 5550, 5560, or 5570; a physiology course with a lab selected from: BIOL 4400, 5300, 5600 and 5610, or 5620 and 5610; 10 credits of 4000-level and above BIOL or PUBH prefix courses as electives.  A maximum of four credits from the following courses may be included among the ten elective credits: BIOL 4250 (1-2 credits), BIOL 4710 (1 credit), BIOL 5800 (1-3 credits) and seminar classes (1-2 credits). In addition, students must complete: CHEM 1210, 1215, 1220, 1225, 2300, 2315, 3700, 3710; PHYS 2110 and 2120 or 2110 and 2120; MATH 1210; and STAT 3000.

Cellular / Molecular Emphasis
BIOL 1610, 1620, 2220, 3060, 5190, 5210, 5230, 5250; a physiology course with a lab selected from:  BIOL 4400, 5300, 5600 and 5610, or 5620 and 5610; one of BIOL 5160, 5240, or 5260; 9 credits of 4000-level and above BIOL prefix courses as electives. A maximum of four credits from the following courses may be included among the nine elective credits: BIOL 4250 (1-2 credits), BIOL 4710 (1 credit), BIOL 5800 (1-3 credits) and seminar classes (1-2 credits). In addition, students must complete: CHEM 1210, 1220, 1215, 1225, 2310, 2320, 2315, 2325, 5700, 5710, 5720; PHYS 2110 and 2120 or 2110 and 2120; MATH 1210; and STAT 3000.

Ecology / Biodiversity Emphasis
BIOL 1610, 1620, 2220, 3060, 3220, 3300, 5250; a physiology course with a lab selected from: BIOL 4400, 5300, 5600 and 5610, or 5620 and 5610; one of BIOL 2410 or 4420; one of BIOL 4500, 5530, 5550, 5560, 5570, or 5580; one of BIOL 4060, 5010, 5020, 5380, 5590 or FRWS 4600; an additional two or three credit course from one of the three previous groups or the following list: BIOL 3065, 4410, 5310, or 5800.  In addition, students must complete: CHEM 1210, 1220, 1215, 1225, 2300, 2315, 3700, 3710; PHYS 2110 and 2120 or 2110 and 2120; MATH 1210; STAT 3000; SOIL 3000; and GEO 1110.

Environmental Emphasis
BIOL 1610, 1620, 2220, 3060, 3220, 3300, 5250; a physiology course with a lab selected from: BIOL 4400, 5300, 5600 and 5610, or 5620 and 5610; one of BIOl 2410 or 4420; and twelve elective credits from: BIOL 4500, 5020, 5310, 5320, 5410, 5800; PUBH 3610; CEE 5620; ADVS 5400; GEO 1110; SOIL 3000. In addition, students must complete: CHEM 1210, 1220, 1215, 1225, 2310, 2320, 2315, 2325, 3000, 3005, 3700, 3710; PHYS 2110 and 2120 or 2110 and 2120; MATH 1210; and STAT 3000.

BS Degree in Composite Teaching - Biological Science  (Back to Top)

For students interested in a career as a high school or middle school teacher, the Composite Teaching--Biological Science Major leads to certification to teach in secondary schools. The course requirements are as follows: BIOL 1610, 1620, 2420, 2220, 3060, 3220, 3300, 3065, 5250; a physiology course with a lab selected from: Biol 4400, 5300, 5600 and 5610, or 5620 and 5610; GEO 1110; SCI 4300; MATH 1210; STAT 3000; PHYS 2110 and 2120 or 2110 and 2120; CHEM 1110, 1115, 1120. In addition, students must be accepted into the Professional Education Framework and complete the following: INST 3500; SPED 4000; SCED 3100, 3210, 3300, 3400, 4200, 4210, 4300, 4400, 5500, and 5630.

BA Degrees in Biology and Composite Teaching - Biological Science  (Back to Top)

The student must complete the requirements for the BS (above) plus two years of a foreign language.

BS Degree in Public Health  (Back to Top)

The public health profession offers many opportunities to work with people at the community level, as well in the workplace. Typically, public health professionals enter careers oriented to service, teaching, or research to promote the general health and welfare of people and their working and living environments.

At Utah State University, the Department of Biology offers a course of study leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health. There are three emphases available within this program.

The Industrial Hygiene emphasis prepares students in the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of occupational health hazards in the workplace. The industrial hygienist is responsible for inspection of the working environment; measurement of worker exposures to chemical, physical, and biological hazards, and other factors which contribute to unsuitable working conditions; and for the implementation of control measures to provide a safe and healthful working environment. The Industrial Hygiene emphasis is accredited by the Related Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, and graduates with experience are qualified to take the Certified Industrial Hygiene examination.

The Environmental Health emphasis prepares students for a career in the area of environmental health and protection. The environmental health and protection professional is primarily concerned with the investigation and prevention of health-related problems, such as air and water pollution, solid and hazardous waste disposal, food-borne illnesses in public eating establishments, water and wastewater treatment, and insect and rodent vectors of disease. Environmental health graduates are qualified to take the Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Sanitarian examination.

The Public Health Education emphasis prepares students to educate people about a variety of health issues. The public health educator assists people in developing positive health attitudes and behavior for safe and healthful community living. Public Health Education graduates are qualified to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination.

The Public Health degree requires a core of biology courses similar to that required for the biology degrees; additional biology and public health courses; and chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics, and allied science and engineering courses appropriate to each emphasis. Three different emphases are available. The course requirements are as follows:

Industrial Hygiene: BIOL 1610, 1620, 2420, 3300; PUBH 3310, 3610, 3870, 4040, 4310, 4320, 4330, 4380, 5330, 5500; ADVS 5400; five credits from BIOL 3060, CEE 5610, or PUBH 4300, 4410, 5340, 5670, 5730, 5790. In addition, students must complete: CHEM 1210, 1220, 1215, 1225, 2300, 2315, 3000, 3005, 3700, 3710; PHYS 2110 and 2120, or 2210 and 2220; MATH 1210; and STAT 3000.

Environmental Health Emphasis:  BIOL 1610, 1620, 2200, 2420, 3300; PUBH 3310, 3610, 3870, 4000, 4030, 4040, 4310, 5000, 5500, 5730; NFS 5110; ten elective credits from: BIOL 3220, 4420, 5550; SOIL 3000; SPCH 1020; ADVS 5400; and CHEM 3700, 3710. In addition, students must complete: CHEM 1210, 1220, 1215, 1225, 2300, 2315; PHYS 2110 and 2120, or 2110 and 2120; MATH 1210; and STAT 3000.

Public Health Education Emphasis:  BIOL 1610, 1620, 2420, 3300; PUBH 3120, 4000, 4030, 4040, 5000, 5500; SPCH 1020; NFS 1020, 5210; SOC 3330, 3500; HEP 2000, 2500, 3000, 3800, 3900, 4200. In addition, students must complete: CHEM 1110, 1115, 1120; PHYS 1200 or 1800; MATH 1210; and STAT 3000.

Biology Minor  (Back to Top)

The Biology minor requires completion of BIOL 1610, 1620 and 12 credits chosen from BIOL 2220 and upper-division (3000-level and above) BIOL prefix courses. Both Biol 1610 and Biol 1620 must have grades of C- or higher.

Biomath Minor   (Back to Top)

This minor requires mathematics and quantitative biology courses beyond those required for the biology degrees. It is an excellent option for students considering graduate work. Biology majors take this minor through the Mathematics and Statistics Department.  A full description of the requirements for this minor is given in the Utah State University General Catalog. Contact the Biology Advising Center (BNR 101) or James Haefner (BNR 233) for details.

Public Health Minor  (Back to Top)

The Public Health minor requires completion of BIOL 1610, 1620, and 12 credits of upper-division (3000-level and above) Public Health (PUBH) elective courses. Both Biol 1610 and Biol 1620 must have grades of C- or better.