Biology Major, B.S. starting with 2024-2025 Catalog
(see MSU Denver Catalog for B.A. in Biology)
Summary:
General Studies: 33 credits
ESSJ: 0-3 credits (because you may double dip)
Major courses: 46 credits total
Required Biology Courses: 19-20 credits
Biology Electives: 26-27
Required Chemistry Courses: 10 credits
Required Math Courses: 7-8 credits
Required Non-Biology Science Courses: 9 credits
Senior Experience: 3 credits (can be used as part of the major)
Unrestricted Electives 8-24 credits
Total to graduate (min. 40 crs. upper-division) 120 credits minimum
Details:
GENERAL STUDIES: 33 credits
https://catalog.msudenver.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=48&poid=11915
Written Communication (6 credits)
Oral Communication (3 credits)
Quantitative Literacy (3 credits)
Arts and Humanities (6 credits)
Historical (3 credits)
Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits)
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)
Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits**)
General studies courses need not be counted toward general studies requirements. They may be taken as electives or to satisfy requirements in the major or degree program.
** Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences.
ETHNIC STUDIES & SOCIAL JUSTICE REQUIREMENT: 0 or 3 credits
MAJOR COURSES:
___ BIO 1080 (3 cr.) General Biology I
___ BIO 1090 (1 cr.) General Biology Lab I
___ BIO 1081 (3 cr.) General Biology II
___ BIO 1091 (cr.) General Biology Lab II
___ BIO 3520 (3 cr.) General Ecology
___ Either BIO 3600 (4 cr.) General Genetics
OR
___ BIO 3610 (4 cr.) Genetics: Principles and Analysis
Select one of the following:
___ BIO 2100 (5 cr.) General Botany
___ BIO 2310 (4 cr.) Human Anatomy & Physiology I
___ BIO 2400 (5 cr.) General Microbiology
___ BIO 3200 (4 cr.) Invertebrate Zoology
___BIO 3260 (4 cr.) Vertebrate Zoology
BIOLOGY ELECTIVES: 26-27 additional Biology credits are needed from 2000-, 3000-, 4000- level, so that the total of required plus elective credits equals at least 46 biology credits. At least 27 semester hours of the major (including General Genetics and General Ecology) must be 3000- and 4000-level BIO courses. Make sure to include at least one Senior Experience course. Elective and Senior Experience courses should be taken upon consultation with your Biology advisor/faculty.
REQUIRED NON-BIOLOGY COURSES:
___ Either CHE 1800 and CHE 1801 (4 cr. and 1 cr.) General Chemistry I and Lab
AND
___ CHE 1810 and CHE 1811 (4 cr. and 1 cr.) General Chemistry II and Lab
OR
___ CHE 1100 and CHE 1150 (4 cr. and 1 cr.) Principles of Chemistry and Lab
AND
___ CHE 2100 and CHE 2150 (4 cr. and 1 cr.) Intro to Organic and Biological Chemistry and Lab
___Two semesters of Mathematics starting with MTH 1109, MTH 1110, or higher. (You may double dip with the quantitative literacy general studies requirement.)
___ OTHER NON-BIOLOGY SCIENCE ELECTIVES: 9 credits, with at least 6 credits being upper division from the list in the current University Catalog (search Biology Major BS). Included are selected courses in Anthropology, Brewing Science, Civil Engineering Technology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Exercise Science, Geography, Geology, Geographic Information Systems, Integrative Therapeutic Practices, Mathematics (in addition to required 2 semesters), Meteorology, Nutrition, Physics and Psychology.