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Degree Programs in Biological Sciences

Students in the Department of Biological Sciences can choose to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Biology or a concentration in Teaching. For those seeking a two-year degree, the Department offers an Associate's Degree in Science with an emphasis in Biology. Students may also pursue a minor in Biological Sciences.  Students who are interested in going on for further education in the Health Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, or Graduate School should also consult the Pre-Professional Preparation webpage and their advisors in Biology.

The strength of our Biology Program lies in its flexibility! This means that students take core courses as they begin their degree programs and then go on to specialize in their fields of interest with their upper-division classes.  So, whether a student chooses to pursue Medical School or a career in Wildlife Biology or any other specialty in the biological sciences, the degree program is individualized enough to ensure excellent preparation.

Core Coursework for the Biology Concentration

  • Attributes of Living Systems (BIOL 105)
  • Attributes of Living Systems Lab (BIOL 105L)
  • Principles of Animal Biology (BIOL 106)
  • Principles of Animal Biology Lab (BIOL 106L)
  • Principles of Plant Biology (BIOL 107)
  • Principles of Plant Biology Lab (BIOL 107L)
  • Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolution (BIOL 208)
  • Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolution Lab (BIOL 208L)
  • Principles of Genetics (BIOL 301)
  • Principles of Genetics Lab (BIOL 301L)
  • Senior Thesis (BIOL 483)

In addition to these courses, biology majors must also satisfy requirements in GENERAL EDUCATION, MATH, CHEMISTRY, and PHYSICS.  Upper-division coursework in Biology is also required for the completion of the Bachelor's degree in Biology.

For a listing of upper-division courses offered in BIOLOGY, see the Colorado Mesa University catalog.  The catalog may be viewed online in the Academics section of the website.

Biology students wishing to teach at the Secondary Level begin their degree programs by taking courses that give them an excellent background not only in Biology but also in Chemistry, Geology, and Physics.  This ensures that they will perform well on all of the sections of the exam they will need to take to earn their licensure in Secondary Education in Science. 

Core Coursework for the Teaching Concentration

  • Principles of Animal Biology (BIOL 106)
  • Principles of Animal Biology Lab (BIOL 106L)
  • Principles of Plant Biology (BIOL 107)
  • Principles of Plant Biology Lab (BIOL 107L)
  • Principles of Chemistry (CHEM 121)
  • Principles of Chemistry Lab (CHEM 121L)
  • Principles of Organic Chemistry (CHEM 122)
  • Principles of Organic Chemistry Lab (CHEM 122L)
  • Principles of Physical Geology (GEOL 111) or Field Based Introduction to Physical Geology (GEOL 113)
  • Principles of Physical Geology Lab (GEOL 111L) or Field Based Introduction to Physical Geology Lab(GEOL 113L)
  • Principles of Historical Geology (GEOL 112)
  • Principles of Historical Geology Lab (GEOL 112L)
  • General Physics I (PHYS 111)
  • General Physics Lab I (PHYS 111L)
  • General Physics II (PHYS 112)
  • General Physics II Lab (PHYS 112L)

In addition to these requirements, students must also satisfy GENERAL EDUCATION requirements and take upper division courses in BIOLOGY and in EDUCATION.

For more information about the secondary licensure program and how to obtain admission into the Program, please contact the Center for Teacher Education at 970-248-1786.  For a listing of upper-division courses in BIOLOGY and EDUCATION, see the Colorado Mesa University catalog.  The catalog may be viewed online in the ACADEMICS section of the website.

Students wishing to earn an Associate's Degree in Science with an emphasis in Biology begin by taking coursework that will give them a solid foundation in the Biological Sciences.  They then complete their two-year degrees by choosing several courses from upper-division offerings in Biology.   If, in the future, they choose to pursue a four-year degree, the core courses that they have taken for their Associate's degree will give them a head start on the Bachelor's Degree in Biology.

Core Coursework for the Associate's Degree, Biology Emphasis

  • Attributes of Living Systems (BIOL 105)
  • Attributes of Living Systems Lab (BIOL 105L)
  • Principles of Animal Biology (BIOL 106)
  • Principles of Animal Biology (BIOL 106L)
  • Principles of Plant Biology (BIOL 107)
  • Principles of Plant Biology (BIOL 107L)
  • Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolution (BIOL 208)
  • Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolution Lab (BIOL 208L)

In addition to these courses, students must also complete requirements in GENERAL EDUCATION, MATH, and upper-division coursework of their choice in Biology in order to earn their Associate's Degree in Science.

Students interested in earning a Minor in Biology begin by taking a number of core courses in Biology.  Then, to complete the minor, they choose among the many upper-division courses offered by the Department.

Core Coursework for the Minor in Biology

  • Attributes of Living Systems (BIOL 105)
  • Attributes of Living Systems (BIOL 105L)
  • Principles of Animal Biology (BIOL 106)
  • Principles of Animal Biology Lab (BIOL 106L)
  • Principles of Plant Biology (BIOL 107)
  • Principles of Plant Biology Lab (BIOL 107L

In addition to these courses, students must take a number of upper-division courses in BIOLOGY.

For a listing of upper-division courses in BIOLOGY, see the student resources section of the Colorado Mesa University website.


Declaring your Major

Choosing an academic advisor early on during your Program is one of the most important keys to success! To declare a major or minor in Biology, please speak to Julie Fredlund in the Biology/PES Office in the Wubben Science Builiding, WS 232. She can also be reached at 970.248.1993.

Program Sheets

Program Sheets for the degree programs in Biology can be downloaded directly from the Academics section of the Colorado Mesa University website.  They can also obtained from the BIOLOGY/PES Office in the Wubben Science Building, WS 232.  For more information, please call Julie Frelund at 970.248.1993.