B.A. in Biology
The B.A. in Biology requires completion of the Biology Core (below) which includes
General Biology in combination with selected chemistry, physics, and mathematics courses
that will serve as a foundation for further study in the Biology Department.
A minimum of 22 credits of course work in Biology must be completed, in addition to
General Biology I and II (8 credits). Up to six research/internship credits may be
used to satisfy this requirement. This requirement may also be satisfied by any combination
of courses offered by the Biology Department, as long as the following conditions
are met:
-
- the combination must include at least three laboratory courses
- the combination must satisfy the course distribution requirement (below).
Choice of advanced courses should be made in light of future plans and should be discussed
with the student's academic advisor.
To meet the above requirements, Biology majors will ordinarily earn a minimum of 30
credits in Biology as well as extradepartmental credits in chemistry, physics and
mathematics courses. A grade of "C" or better in any prerequisite course is required
for advanced courses in Biology, although this requirement may be waived by permission
of the instructor.
Biology Core
The core curriculum is at the center of undergraduate education at the University
of Dallas. As a component of this curriculum, the life sciences play an important
role in introducing students to the ways in which science has contributed to the development
of the Western tradition and to an understanding of our own existence.
Each undergraduate student must take one life science course that includes a laboratory
component. Biology majors will, understandably, acquire sufficient credits in the
course of their normal studies. Nonmajors have several options to fulfill the core
life science requirement:
BIO 1311/1111 or 1312/1112 General Biology I and II.
BIO 2301, 2101. Biotechnology.
BIO 2315, 2115. Human Biology.
BIO 2348. 2148. Darwin.
BIO 2360, 2160. Environmental Science and Lab.
CHEM 1303/1103. General Chemistry I and II.
CHEM 3321/3121. Organic Chemistry I.
One Chemistry elective
PHYSICS 2311/2111 + 2312/2112 or 2305/2105 +2306/2106. General Physics I and II.
MAT 1404. Calculus I
MAT 1411. Calculus II OR
BIO 3345. Biostatistics. Biostatistics cannot satisfy both the Biology Core math requirement and apply toward
the advanced biology credits required for the B.A. or the B.S.
Course Distribution Requirements
To satisfy the Biology Department's course distribution requirement, students must
take at least one Biology course from each of the three subject areas below. Additional
courses may be approved by the Department chair to satisfy distribution requirements.
Courses at the 3000 level or above require completion of General Biology I and II
or AP credit for Biology.
Molecules to Cells |
Cells to Organisms |
Organisms to Populations |
Biotechnology (2302/2102) |
Human Biology (2315/2115) |
Darwin (2348/2148) |
Genetics (3325/3125) |
Plant Biology (2341/2141) |
Environmental Science (2360/2160) |
Microbiology (3327/3127) |
Anatomy (3323/3123) |
Ecology (3326/3126) |
Experimental Techniques (3340) |
Immunology (3324) |
Ornithology (3331/3131) |
Molecular Biology (4328/4128) |
Development Biology (3329) |
Animal Behavior (3346/3146) |
Advanced Genetics (4245) |
Physiology (3331/3131) |
Evolutional Biology (3347) |
Cell Structure and Function |
Human Infectious Disease (3334) |
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Comprehensive Exam
All students must pass a comprehensive exam, which is given in the senior year. This
examination will generally entail a review of primary scientific literature in a specific
subject area, followed by an oral presentation of findings and conclusions. Students
are urged to take the Biological Literature Seminar (4360) in the fall of the senior
year as preparation for the comprehensive exam.