Program: Biology Major - UMass Dartmouth (2024)

Sep 04, 2024

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

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BS degree

Required Courses

(common to all concentrations in the Biology major)

First Year

First Semester: 15 credits

BIO 121 - Introductory Biology I Credits: 3
BIO 131 - Introductory Biology Laboratory I Credits: 1
CAS 101 - Introduction to the Arts and Sciences Credits: 1
ENL 101 - Critical Writing and Reading I Credits: 3
MTH 148 - College Algebra Credits: 3
Humanities/Social Science Elective Credits: 3

Second Semester: 14 credits

BIO 122 - Introductory Biology II Credits: 3
BIO 132 - Introductory Biology Laboratory II Credits: 1
CHM 151 - Principles of Modern Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHM 161 - Introduction to Applied Chemistry I Credits: 1
ENL 102 - Critical Writing and Reading II Credits: 3
MTH 149 - Introductory Calculus Credits: 3

Second Year

First Semester: 17 credits

Credits: 3
Credits: 3
Credits: 1
CHM 152 - Principles of Modern Chemistry II Credits: 3
CHM 162 - Introduction to Applied Chemistry II Credits: 1
ENL 264 - Communicating in the Sciences Credits: 3 (Fall or Spring)
Humanites/Social Science Electives - 3-6 credits

Second Semester: 16 credits

BIO 234 - Cell Biology Credits: 3
BIO 235 - Genetics Credits: 3
Credits: 1
Humanities/Social Science Elective Credits: 3
Humanities/Social Science Elective Credits: 3

Third Year

CHM 251 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHM 263 - Bio-Organic Chemistry Laboratory I Credits: 1
CHM 252 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: 3 *
CHM 264 - Bio-Organic Chemistry Laboratory II Credits: 1 *
* recommended but not required for students in the Ecology and Evolution, Conservation or Marine Biology concentrations.
PHY 101 - Introduction to Physics I Credits: 3
PHY 102 - Introduction to Physics II Credits: 3

Fourth Year

BIO 499 - Capstone Research Credits: 3

Notes

* Math course to be selected in consultation with the advisor. MTH 151, 152 (Calculus) is recommended for students whose math background is good, and required for later entrance to graduate programs with a molecular or ecological orientation. It is also a prerequisite for Physical Chemistry. MTH 151, 152 is required for PHY 113, 114 but can be taken concurrently with it.

** PHY 113, 114 may be substituted for PHY 101, 102.

Third and Fourth Year Requirements

(common to all concentrations)

During the third and fourth year all majors are required to elect at least 21 credits in upper-division biology courses (courses numbered 300 or higher), including BIO 499 - Capstone Research. Course selection should be determined in consultation with the advisor. A minimum of 2 courses must include a laboratory component. Credits earned for BIO 440, 441, and 495 may not be applied to these totals. The requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences must also be met prior to graduation.

Junior/Senior Electives for General Biology Concentration

Students electing not to select a concentration will complete the Biology core and then any 21 credits of 300-400 level Biology coursework.

BIO 316 - Descriptive Oceanography Credits: 3
BIO 317 - Biology of Invertebrates Credits: 4
BIO 413 - Biology of Fishes Credits: 4
BIO 414 - Biology of Marine Mammals Credits: 3
BIO 454 - Biology of Sharks Credits: 3
BIO 471 - Marine Microbiology Credits: 4

Cell & Molecular Biology Concentration

After building a comprehensive background through the Biology core, upper division courses will allow students to explore various specializations in a diverse and rapidly changing field, including genomics, cell biology, developmental biology, microbiology, and immunology. Many of these courses have integrated laboratory components giving students opportunities to learn specialized laboratory techniques including DNA sequence analysis and cloning, cell culture, and bioinformatics needed for graduate school and employment opportunities.

Junior/Senior Electives for Cell & Molecular Biology Concentration

Course Requirements

BIO 427 - Molecular Biology Credits: 3
- or -
BIO 434 - Advanced Cell Biology Credits: 3
BIO 401 - Genomics Credits: 4
- or -
BIO 408 - Microbial Genetics Credits: 3
Two additional courses from Group 1 (CHM 411 Biochemistry may substitute)
One course from Group 2, 3, or 4 (E or M)
BIO 499 - Capstone Research Credits: 3 (cell/molecular topic recommended)
Recommended:
BIO 430 - Biological Statistics Credits: 4

Conservation Biology Concentration

After completing the Biology core a student in the conservation biology concentration will complete a combination of broad-based coursework and innovative hands-on field and laboratory research experiences. This expertise will allow them to solve complex ecological problems and apply integrated approaches to wildlife and habitat management. At the end of the program, the student will have the training needed to be successful in graduate school and to gain employment with sectors of society seeking to manage and restore natural environments.

Junior/Senior Electives for Conservation Biology Concentration

Course Requirements

BIO 411 Conservation Biology
BIO 411 Conservation Genetics
BIO 314 - General Ecology Credits: 4
- OR - (although both are recommended)
BIO 437 - Evolutionary Biology Credits: 3
BIO 499 - Capstone Research Credits: 3
One course from Group 2 or BIO 430 Biostatistics
One course from Group 4 (E or M)
Recommended:
BIO 430 - Biological Statistics Credits: 4
BIO 411 Field Methods

Ecology & Evolution Concentration

After building a comprehensive background through the Biology core student will have the opportunity to take advanced coursework in Ecology & Evolution. This area emphasizes hands-on experience with methods in field biology, experimental design, and statistics. They will study organismal interactions at both ecological and evolutionary timescales in microbes, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates. Students will learn how such interactions have shaped the world in which we live.

Junior/Senior Electives for Ecology & Evolution Concentration

Course Requirements

BIO 314 - General Ecology Credits: 4
BIO 437 - Evolutionary Biology Credits: 3
BIO 430 - Biological Statistics Credits: 4
- or -
BIO 411 - Proseminar: Current Topics in Biology Credits: variable; 1.00 to 4.00 (both 430 and 411 recommended)
One course from Group 2

- or -

BIO 401 - Genomics Credits: 4
- or -
BIO 4xx Conservation Genetics
One course from Group 4 (E only)
BIO 499 - Capstone Research Credits: 3
(ecology/evolution topic recommended)

Marine Biology Concentration

The marine biology option is designed to meet the needs of students who aspire to careers in ecology, marine biology, fisheries biology and biological oceanography. Students who elect the Marine Biology Option are urged to plan their program in close cooperation with their advisors.

Junior/Senior Electives for Marine Biology Concentration

Course Requirements

BIO 314 - General Ecology Credits: 4
BIO 316 - Descriptive Oceanography Credits: 3
BIO 430 - Biological Statistics Credits: 4
Two marine courses from Group 4, listed below (M only)
BIO 499 - Capstone Research Credits: 3 (marine topic recommended)
Recommended:
BIO 437 - Evolutionary Biology Credits: 3
BIO 411 - Proseminar: Current Topics in Biology Credits: variable; 1.00 to 4.00

Upper Division Electives

Group 1: Cell and Molecular Biology

BIO 310 - Infection and Immunology Credits: 3
BIO 321 - General Microbiology Credits: 4
BIO 401 - Genomics Credits: 4
BIO 408 - Microbial Genetics Credits: 3
BIO 422 - Immunology Credits: 3
BIO 427 - Molecular Biology Credits: 3
BIO 431 - The Biology of Cancer Credits: 3
BIO 434 - Advanced Cell Biology Credits: 3

Group 2: Organismal Biology

BIO 320 - Human Embryology Credits: 4
BIO 322 - Medical Anatomy and Physiology Credits: 4
BIO 370 - Animal Physiology Credits: 4
BIO 415 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Credits: 4
BIO 420 - Animal Behavior Credits: 3
BIO 421 - Developmental Biology Credits: 4

Group 3: Ecology and Evolution

BIO 314 - General Ecology Credits: 4
BIO 316 - Descriptive Oceanography Credits: 3
BIO 402 - Community Ecology Credits: 3
BIO 423 Ecological Immunology
BIO 437 - Evolutionary Biology Credits: 3
BIO 411 - Proseminar: Current Topics in Biology Credits: variable; 1.00 to 4.00
BIO 411 Topics:
- Conservation Biology
- Conservation Genetics

Group 4: Taxon-Specific Courses (M) marine, (E) Ecology

BIO 317 - Biology of Invertebrates Credits: 4 (E, M)
BIO 350 - Plant Biology Credits: 4 (E)
BIO 413 - Biology of Fishes Credits: 4 (E, M)
BIO 414 - Biology of Marine Mammals Credits: 3 (M)
BIO 454 - Biology of Sharks Credits: 3 (M)
BIO 471 - Marine Microbiology Credits: 4 (E, M)
BIO 411 - Proseminar: Current Topics in Biology Credits: variable; 1.00 to 4.00
BIO 411 Topics:
- Animal Diversity (E)
- Biology of Mammals (E)
- Coral Reef Biology (M)

University Studies Requirement

In addition to the requirements in the major, students will be required to complete the University Studies requirements. For more information: http://www.umassd.edu/generaleducation/universitystudies/universitystudiescurriculum/.

Note

Some undergraduate senior-level courses are offered to graduate students under a corresponding 5xx number with concurrent enrollment but additional work expectations.

Some graduate courses may be open to undergraduates. Please consult your department chairperson. See the Graduate Catalog for graduate general and program requirements.