Biological Sciences

Four options are available in the Department of Ecology which lead to the B.S. in Biological Sciences: Biology Teaching, Ecology and Evolution, Fish and Wildlife Management, and Organismal Biology.

Students interested in secondary school biology teaching and Montana state certification must fulfill a Biological Sciences major and the professional education courses; a teaching minor or second area of certification is recommended.

Most positions for professional biologists require a graduate degree. The degree options are intended to provide the prerequisite educational background for graduate programs. However, admission to graduate programs is highly competitive and will depend on academic performance, scores on standardized exams (the Graduate Record Exams), and other factors.

Requirements for Admission to Upper Division Courses in Biology

For admission to upper division (numbered 300 or higher) Biology (BIOL) and Fish and Wildlife Management (F&WL) courses, students must have completed at least 45 total university credits, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for all courses. Non-Biological Sciences majors must also have earned a "C-" or better for any prerequisite courses for that course. Any student who enrolls in an upper division biology course without satisfying these requirements will be required to withdraw from the course.

Grade Requirements

To graduate with a B.S. in Biological Sciences, students must earn a grade of "C-" or better for every course required for the specific option (Fish and Wildlife Management, Ecology and Evolution, Organismal Biology, and Biology Teaching), including courses taken to fulfill required biology elective credits and required courses in non-biology rubrics.

ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION OPTION

The option in Ecology and Evolution combines (1) a basic sequence of courses in population biology, (2) a broad background in the sciences and mathematics, and (3) a flexible curriculum of upper-division courses in biology and related disciplines. The program requires students to develop strength in one supporting science or in mathematics and statistics. Because most professional positions in ecology and evolution require an M.S. or Ph.D, this program is designed to prepare students for graduate study, while allowing the flexibility to develop an area of specialization, or to study a broad range of disciplines related to population biology.

The Ecology and Evolution option complements the more focused option in Fish and Wildlife Management, and the more general option in Organismal Biology.

Students pursuing this option should begin the required biology sequence and each of the three supporting sequences in their freshman year. As the three supporting sequences are completed, students should shift their effort toward satisfying the requirements for upper division courses in BIOL and related disciplines.

*Other Required Courses from (I) Introductory Biology Courses and (II) Supporting Courses and (III) Biology Electives

**required capstone course includes BIOL 443, Current Topics in Biology. Other 400 level BIOL and F&WL courses will be given capstone status. Check with your advisor for current information on courses that may satisfy the capstone requirement.

(I) Introductory Biology Courses: Students must take either BIOL 101 and BIOL 102 or BIOL 214 and BIOL 215

(II) Supporting Courses: Students must take one sequence in each of the following three categories. Sequence B or C must be selected in at least one of the three categories.

(III) Biology Electives: A minimum of 23 elective credits must be completed. Of these 23 credits at least 15 must be upper division; no more than 6 total credits of BIOL 470, 489,490 and no more than 2 credits of BIOL 401 can be applied toward these 23 elective credits. Elective credits are typically from courses in biology (BIOL) and fish and wildlife management (F&WL) rubrics. Certain courses in other rubrics (PS, LRES, BCHM (UD only), MB (except 407), VTMB, ARNR, ENTO, ESCI, GEOG, MATH, and STAT) can be applied toward the 23 elective credits, with the prior approval of both your advisor and the certifying officer for the Ecology and Evolution option before the course is taken. If BIOL 214 and BIOL 215 are taken, then BIOL 213 is a highly recommended elective.

University requirements for graduation also must be completed, including university core requirements and a minimum of 120 total credits of which at least 42 credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above. Depending on supporting and biology elective courses selected, the curriculum requires 27 to 42 credits from courses numbered 300 and above. From 0 to 15 additional credits must be taken from courses numbered 300 and above to satisfy the university requirement for 42 credits.

FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT OPTION

The option in Fish and Wildlife Management is offered for those students who have a special interest in these fields. Study leading toward a bachelor's degree emphasizes basic principles of animal ecology, with considerable work in related fields. Students graduating with a bachelor's degree will be qualified for entry-level positions in natural resource management. However, the four-year option primarily provides prospective fish and wildlife biologists an adequate background for graduate work, which is required for most professional positions in natural resource agencies.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; at least 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above. The curriculum includes 35-39 credits numbered 300 and above. Additional upper division electives must be taken in biology, fish and wildlife, or a related field ( ARNR, ENTO, ESCI, GEOG, LRES, PS and STAT). You should consult with your advisor about the appropriateness of potential upper division electives taken outside the BIOL or F&WL rubrics. Students are expected to be aware of all requirements for graduation, including university core requirements, and ensure that they meet these requirements.

ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY OPTION

Most professional positions in biology require completion of one of more graduate degrees. The organismal biology option provides the basic formal background required for application to programs of graduate studies in plant or animal biology at the whole-organism, species, population, and community levels, while allowing students flexibility in selecting those biology courses that best meet their interests and objectives. It accomplishes this by leaving 20 required credits in biology unspecified. In addition, students can use the elective credits to develop strength in a second area which may enhance their prospects of gaining employment with a bachelor's degree or their prospects of acceptance into specialized graduate programs.

* Additional Required Biology Electives

A minimum of 20 credits of Biology electives also must be completed, from courses in BIOL, F&WL, PS, BCHM (upper division only), VTMB or MB (except MB 407). At least 16 of these credits must be in upper division courses numbered 300 and above. Credits must be for regularly scheduled courses, except that up to 4 total credits of undergraduate research in Biology (BIOL 470,489,490) and up to 2 credits of Biology Teaching (BIOL 401) may be included. Up to 6 credits of certain courses in basic biological sciences from departments other than these may be included, with the prior approval of the advisor and Organismal Biology Certifying Officer before the course is taken.

University requirements for graduation also must be completed, including university core requirements and a minimum of 120 total credits of which at least 42 credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above. Depending on courses selected, the curriculum requires 39 to 42 credits numbered 300 and above.

BIOLOGY TEACHING OPTION

The Biology teaching option certifies graduates to be qualified to teach secondary school biology. It is similar to the Organismal Biology Option, but includes professional preparation courses required for state teacher certification. Since the Biology Teaching Option includes 40 credits of biology courses, it is an extended major and the State of Montana does not require a teaching minor. However, employment opportunities will be enhanced by obtaining a second area of certification, usually a teaching minor (listed under College of Education, Health and Human Development). Obtaining a Biology Teaching major, a teaching minor, and certification will require more than eight semesters.

The Biology Teaching Option includes 40 credits of Biology (24 to 25 credits of basic biology courses, plus MB 101 or MB 301, and 12 Biology elective credits); supporting Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics courses; 32 credits in the university core; and 32 credits of professional preparation. Biology electives must include 7 to 8 credits of advisor-approved upper division credits in biological sciences.

University requirements for graduation also must be completed, including university core requirements and a minimum of 120 total credits of which 42 must be in courses numbered 300 and above. In order to student teach, your GPA in sciences and math must be at least 2.50, and your GPA in basic skills (math, verbal, writing) must be at least 2.50 with no grade less than "C".

Cell Biology and Neuroscience

Two options are available in the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience which lead to the B.S. in Cell Biology and Neuroscience with options in Biomedical Sciences and in Cell Biology and Neuroscience.

Premedicine, Predentistry, and Preoptometry

Students may prepare for admission to medical, dental, or optometry school by following the option in Biomedical Sciences in the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience. The Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience provides advising on matters pertaining to the biomedical sciences curriculum; advising on matters pertaining to admission to professional schools is provided by the Pre-Health Professions advisor in the Office of General Studies.

Requirements for Admission to Upper Division Courses in Biology

For admission to upper division (numbered 300 and above) courses taught in the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, students must have completed at least 30 total university credits with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for all courses.

Grade Requirements for Fulfillment of Degree Options

In order to graduate with a B.S. in the department, students must earn a grade of "C-" or better for every course required for the specific option, including courses taken to fulfill required elective credits.

Graduation in Absentia

Some professional programs accept students before their degree requirements are completed. It is often possible to transfer credits from the first year of professional school to MSU to graduate in absentia. The mechanics involve sending an official copy of the year one professional school transcript to the MSU academic advisor; he/she then writes a letter to the MSU Registrar explaining which credits transfer and how they fulfill the degree requirements. The student then registers in absentia at MSU for the semester in which the B.S. degree will be awarded.

Curricula in Cell Biology and Neuroscience Department

BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES OPTION

The curriculum of the biomedical sciences option provides a strong background for students who are (1) interested in a biomedical sciences career in research or teaching, or (2) plan on a career in medicine or other health professions. The curriculum has sufficient breadth to introduce the student to a wide range of disciplines, but is flexible enough so that students can focus in their last two years on areas of specific interest. Students interested in a career in a health science profession should consult the Pre-Health Professions Advisor for information regarding admission to professional schools while those interested in veterinary medicine should consult the Pre-Veterinary Advisor in the Department of Veterinary Molecular Biology.

Employment opportunities, especially at the technical level, are available with a B.S. in Cell Biology and Neuroscience with a biomedical sciences option. However, this curriculum is designed to better prepare students for professional or graduate training.

The biomedical sciences curriculum is designed to allow the students to take basic courses in physical sciences while tailoring the courses in life sciences to meet their personal objectives and interests. This is done by allowing 24 of the required 44 credits in Biology to be elective credits in life sciences; biology, biochemistry, microbiology, or other appropriate fields. Advanced students are strongly encouraged to enroll in Biol 470, Individual Problems and, or Biol 490, Undergraduate Research. These courses provide an opportunity to gain valuable experience in biomedical research.

Additional Requirements

A minimum of 24 additional elective credits of courses in the life sciences must be completed, most typically from courses in Cell Biology & Neuroscience, Microbiology, and Biochemistry. Of these 24 credits, at least 18 must be upper division; no more than 6 credits of Biol 470, 489, 490 and no more than 2 credits of Biol 401 can be applied toward these 24 elective credits. Students who wish to focus their major specifically on Neuroscience, Cell/Developmental Biology or Anatomy and Physiology, should refer to the categorized list of electives following the Cell Biology and Neuroscience Option.

CELL BIOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE OPTION

The curriculum in the cell biology and neuroscience option provides a strong background for students who are interested in a career in research or teaching in cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, or neuroscience. The curriculum provides the opportunity to take the courses necessary to make a competitive application to graduate school or to obtain a technical position. There is a possibility to focus the curriculum in one of the three areas listed by using elective credits in specific disciplines. Advisor approved substitutions are possible for upper division courses to tailor the degree to the student's interests.

Advanced students are strongly encouraged to enroll in BIOL 470 Individual Problems and/or BIOL 490 Undergraduate Research. These courses provide an opportunity to gain valuable experience in biomedical research. Such experiences are useful for both an appreciation of the research effort required in graduate school and for gaining experience in technical methods for a technical position.

* Students should take either CHEM 311 and 312 or CHEM 215 and 301

Additional Requirements

A minimum of 15 additional upper division elective credits in the life sciences must be completed from Cell Biology & Neuroscience, Microbiology or Biochemistry courses. Of these 15, at least 6 must be from 400 level courses. No more than 6 credits of BIOL 470, 489, 490 and no more than 2 credits of BIOL 401 can be applied toward the 15 elective credits.

Following is a list of suggested courses that students can choose as electives to focus their major on a particular area of interest.