Apr 18, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Bulletin

Biology (B.S.)


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Program Descriptions

Program: B.S.
Department of Biology  
College of Arts and Sciences

Science Building 330 ~ 260-481-6305 ~ ipfw.edu/bio
 


The student learning outcomes for the degree are as follows:

Provided coursework, research experience, and advising for students who seek employment after the B.S. degree or who expect to enter graduate and professional schools.

  • Students should have demonstrated comprehension of basic biological principles and theories and a demonstrated ability to apply those theories and principles to problem solving.
  • Students should have demonstrated knowledge of the scientific method, and should be able to apply that knowledge to problem solving.  Students should also have the ability to critically evaluate biological information.
  • Students should have demonstrated the basic knowledge and experience of field and laboratory work and be able to communicate the results of an investigation. 

Special Regulation for Biology Majors

Time Limit - All biology courses applied toward graduation must be completed within 10 years from the time the first biology course was completed.

To earn a B.S. with a major in biology, you must fulfill the requirements of IPFW and the College of Arts and Sciences (see Colleges  and Regulations ); earn a GPA of 2.30 or higher in BIOL 117, 119, 217, 218, 219, and 491 and in A/B-elective courses in biology (listed below); and complete the following courses:

IPFW General Education Requirements Credits: 33


General Education Requirements    

A grade of C- or better is required in each course used to satisfy the IPFW general education requirements.

College of Arts and Sciences Requirements


Supporting Courses


Calculus and Statistics


The following calculus and statistics course pattern is typical. Course substitutions are possible with advisor approval. Please note that most graduate programs require a full year of calculus.

Biology Elective Courses Credits: 16


In the interest of broadly training our majors, students are required to take at least one course with laboratory from each of the A and B elective course lists below. The A elective courses focus on topics regarding the intact organism and its interaction with the environment, and so are organismal, population, community, and ecosystem in nature. The B elective courses focus on processes acting within the organism, and thus detail molecular, cellular, and organ-system mechanisms.

A-Electives


(organismal, population, community, and ecosystem)

Free Electives


  • Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120-124

Total Credits: 120


Honors in Biology


You may earn an honors degree in biology by achieving an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher and a biology GPA of 3.50 or higher, conducting a two-semester (minimum of 5 credits) research project, preparing a senior thesis based on the research project, and giving an oral presentation of the thesis research. The senior thesis committee must be established one semester before graduation.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Program Descriptions