Biology
The mission of the Biology program is to provide excellence through its curriculum so that graduates of this program will be deeply insightful in life sciences and have a scientifically sound knowledge base that prepares them for employment or entry into professional/graduate studies.
The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Biology develops the student's understanding of the life sciences through study of foundational biological concepts, study of basic principles of the structures and functions of organisms and through study of ecosystems and the environment as related to life. The curriculum prepares the students to pursue graduate study in biological sciences, health professions, entry level biology related professions or to teach Biology at the secondary level.Candidates interested in biology teacher licensure must complete the Biology program of study, take a tightly prescribed set of education courses. Completing the required education courses in addition to the Biology major may require 18 or more hours per semester. Students may also take education courses in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program post-graduation and prior to student teaching. Students may then elect to complete the Master's program after student teaching. Biology teacher candidates should work with a Biology advisor and an Educator Preparation advisor in the School of Humanities, Education, and the Arts to ensure enrollment in the required courses.
Students will not be allowed to take upper level (300-400) Biology courses prior to admission into the Biology Major.
Biology Major Admission Requirements and Procedures
- Admission to Cumberland University with declaration of Biology major.
- Completion of all pre-biology coursework during or before the semester of application for admission to the major.
- A Letter of Intent to enter the Biology major must be submitted to the Office of Admissions at least one month prior to the semester entering the major.
- Official transcript(s) must be on file with the Office of Admissions.
Admission to the Biology major is determined by the following criteria
- Successful completion of pre-biology or pre-biochemistry coursework (including BIO 111, BIO 113, BIO 114, BIO 203, CHEM 111, CHEM 112, MATH 111 or MATH 121, MATH 112 or MATH 122 or PSY 205).
- A minimum GPA requirement is 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale), with no grade below a "C" in the pre-biology or pre-biochemistry coursework as outlined above.
- Present grades of a "C" or better in all Math and Science courses.
Academic Dishonesty/Disciplinary Provisions
A committee of Biology and Chemistry faculty will review each Academic Dishonesty and/or Disciplinary action taken against a student on an individual basis. The committee reserves the right to deny admission into and/or expel from the Biology major based upon any violation.
Special Admission Provisions
A committee of Biology and Chemistry Faculty will review student petitions for admission on individual basis. The Committee reserves the right to attach certain stipulations to admissions (e.g., by limiting the total number of hours in which a student may enroll during a semester and/or requiring specific developmental coursework and/or requiring a peer tutor).
Transfer Policies
Students must first meet the requirements for admission to Cumberland University. The Biology and Chemistry Committee will evaluate each student who transfers from another accredited program on an individual basis. Students who have earned a grade lower than "C" in a biology or chemistry course at another college or university will be evaluated by the committee which will determine admission on an individual basis. Requests to transfer biology and/or chemistry courses from another college or university will also be considered by the committee on an individual basis. Students who desire to transfer from another Biology or Biochemistry major must meet the following requirements:
- A letter of good standing from the previous program.
- A minimum grade of "C" in any science course the student desires to transfer. A written request for transfer credit must be forwarded to the Biology and Chemistry Committee for a ruling.
- Completion of a minimum of 25% or 30 credit hours toward degree earned at Cumberland University.
Progression Requirements for all Biology Students
- Achievement of a minimum grade of "C" in all science courses, and a minimum overall GPA of 2.8.
- Students who receive two final course grades of "D" or lower in any science course or combination of science courses will be dismissed from the program. Once dismissed, the student may appeal for Special Admission Provisions.
- All Biology majors are expected to achieve satisfactory scores on standardized comprehensive examinations during their senior year.
- Any biology student who has broken enrollment for more than one semester may not continue in the program but must apply for reinstatement into the major. The Biology and Chemistry Committee will review each student's case individually to determine placement in the Program of Study.
Letter of Intent
Please address the typed letter to the Biology/Biochemistry Admissions Committee and include the following in letter format:
- Date written
- Your name and address
- Request for admission to the Biology major
- This part of the letter is an informal way to introduce yourself. Explain why you want to be in the biology major and why you feel you should be admitted.
- Courses in which you are currently enrolled
- Required lower division coursework that you still need
- Your signature
Degree Requirements
Area I – Foundation Skills - 2 hours
| FSL 101 | Foundations of Scholarship and Learning | 2 |
FSL 101 is required only for new and transferring freshmen with less than 24 credit hours. Students must earn a "C" or higher in FSL 101.
Area I - Rhetoric and Communication - 15 hours
Area II - Mathematics - 3 or 4 hours
Choose one:
Area II - Arts and Humanities - 3 hours
Choose one:
Area II - Literature in English- 3 hours
Choose one:
Area II - The Social Sciences - 6 hours
Choose two:
| ANTH 210/SOC 210 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ECON 241 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| or | |
| ECON 242 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| POLSC 223 | Introduction to American National Government & Politics | 3 |
| or | |
| POLSC 224 | Introduction to American State and Local Government & Politics | 3 |
| PSY 201 | General Psychology | 3 |
| or | |
| PSY 211 | Psychology of Human Growth & Development | 3 |
| SOC 221 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 223 | Social Problems | 3 |
Area II - History - 6 hours
Choose one of two sequences:
| HIS 191 | World Civilization to 1500 | 3 |
| and | |
| HIS 192 | World Civilization since 1500 | 3 |
| or | |
| HIS 201 | History of the United States I | 3 |
| and | |
| HIS 202 | History of the United States II | 3 |
Area II - The Natural Sciences - 7 hours
Required Biology Core Courses - 29 hours
Choose one of these Cell oriented courses
Choose either of these Zoology courses
Choose either of these Botany courses
Choose either of these Environmental courses
Students must earn a "C" or higher in all Required Biology Core Courses.
Biology Electives - 12 hours
Choose 12 hours of Biology courses at the 200 level or higher.
Students must earn a "C" or higher in all Biology electives.
Requirements for major - 26-27 hours
Choose one:
Choose one sequence:
Students must earn a "C" or higher in additional requirements for major.
General Electives - 6-10 hours
Select sufficient courses from any academic discipline to bring the total hours for graduation to a minimum of 120.
Total GEC Credit Hours (43-46 hours)
Total Required Biology Core Courses (29 hours)
Total Required Biology Electives (12 hours)
Total Required Non Biology Courses (26-27 hours)
Total General Electives (6-10 hours)
120 minimum hours required for graduation.