MSU Billings Catalog

Biology Bachelor of Science Degree

Required Courses

General Education Requirements31
Students should consult with an academic advisor before registering for General Education courses in order to minimize the number of courses needed to satisfy the requirements of the major. 1
NOTE: 10 credits will be filled with requirements below, leaving 21 credits needed in General Education.
Biology Requirements
BIOB 160Principles of Living Systems *3
BIOB 161Principles Living Systems Lab *1
BIOB 170Principles of Bio Diversity3
BIOB 171Principles Bio Diversity Lab1
BIOB 260Cellular & Molecular Biology3
BIOB 261Cellular & Molecular Biol Lab1
BIOB 375General Genetics3
BIOB 376General Genetics Lab1
BIOB 487Bioinformatics4
BIOB 490Undergraduate Research2
BIOB 499Senior Thesis/Capstone1
BIOE 370General Ecology3
BIOE 371General Ecology Lab1
BIOM 360General Microbiology3
BIOM 361General Microbiology Lab1
Upper Division Science Electives12
Selected in consultation with advisor from the following rubrics: BCH, BIOB, BIOE, BIOH, BIOM, BIOO, CHMY, ERTH, GEO, GPHY, PHSX
Subtotal43
Chemistry Requirements
CHMY 141College Chemistry I *4
CHMY 142College Chemistry I Lab *1
CHMY 143College Chemistry II4
CHMY 144College Chemistry II Lab1
CHMY 321Organic Chemistry I3
CHMY 322Organic Chemistry Lab I1
CHMY 323Organic Chemistry II3
CHMY 324Organic Chemistry Lab II1
BCH 380Biochemistry3
BCH 381Biochemistry Lab1
Subtotal22
Mathematics/Statistics Requirement
Select two of the following:7-8
Survey of Calculus *
or M 171
Calculus I
Calculus II
Introduction to Statistics *
Interm Statistical Concepts
Research Design and Analysis
and Research Design and Analysis L
Subtotal7-8
Physics Requirements
Select one of the following options:
Option 1:8
College Physics I
and College Physics I Lab *
College Physics II
and College Physics II Lab
Option 2:10
Physics I
and Physics I Lab
Physics II & Thermo
and Physics II & Thermo Lab
Subtotal8-10
Unrestricted ElectivesV 18
The total number of elective credits required for the degree will be determined by the number of courses a student elects to take which fulfill both the General Education requirements and the major requirements. Electives should be chosen in consultation with an academic advisor.
Total Minimum Credits120
1

The following General Education courses also satisfy requirements in the major: BIOB 160, BIOB 161, CHMY 141, and either M 171 or STAT 216

*

May satisfy General Education requirements.

 Certain courses in this program have prerequisites; students should check the course descriptions for required prerequisites.

Suggested Plan of Study

First Year
Fall
BIOB 160
BIOB 161
Principles of Living Systems
and Principles Living Systems Lab
4
CHMY 141
CHMY 142
College Chemistry I
and College Chemistry I Lab
5
General Education6
Total15
Spring
BIOB 170
BIOB 171
Principles of Bio Diversity
and Principles Bio Diversity Lab
4
CHMY 143
CHMY 144
College Chemistry II
and College Chemistry II Lab
5
Math requirement4
General Education3
Total16
Second Year
Fall
BIOB 260
BIOB 261
Cellular & Molecular Biology
and Cellular & Molecular Biol Lab
4
CHMY 321
CHMY 322
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Lab I
4
General Education3
Math requirement4
Total15
Spring
BIOB 375
BIOB 376
General Genetics
and General Genetics Lab
4
CHMY 323
CHMY 324
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Lab II
4
General Education6
Total14
Third Year
Fall
BCH 380
BCH 381
Biochemistry
and Biochemistry Lab
4
BIOE 370
BIOE 371
General Ecology
and General Ecology Lab
4
Select one of the following:4-5
College Physics I
and College Physics I Lab
Physics I
and Physics I Lab
Science Electives2-3
Total15
Spring
Select one of the following:4-5
College Physics II
and College Physics II Lab
Physics II & Thermo
and Physics II & Thermo Lab
BIOB 487Bioinformatics4
Science Electives3
Electives3-4
Total15
Fourth Year
Fall
BIOM 360
BIOM 361
General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Lab
4
BIOB 490Undergraduate Research1
Science Electives3
Gen Ed/Electives7
Total15
Spring
BIOB 490Undergraduate Research1
BIOB 499Senior Thesis/Capstone1
Science Electives3
Gen Ed/Electives10
Total15