Chair and Professor: Dr. Cash (501) 450-3146
Professors: Dr. Choinski, Dr. Dussourd, Dr. Runge
Associate Professors: Dr. R. Adams, Dr. Clancy, Dr. Hill, Dr. Larson, Dr. McDonald, Dr. Moran, Dr. Zehr
Assistant Professors: Dr. G. Adams, Dr. Bland, Dr. Entrekin, Dr. Naylor, Dr. Noyes, Dr. Padberg, Dr. Rowley, Dr. Starkey, Dr. Swanson, Dr. Vohra, Dr. Waggoner
Lecturer II’s: Dr. Gomez-Kramer, Dr. Hirrel, Dr. Martin, Mr. Mimms, Mr. Wainwright
Lecturer I’s: Ms. Horton, Dr. Peppers, Dr. Warren
[1] Purposes
Knowledge of biology relates directly to understanding contemporary human life and the natural world. The biology program aims to contribute this vital element to the liberal education of all students through required and elective courses in general education. Majors in biology are provided the basic foundation for pursuing careers in biological sciences. Majors can go into research, teaching, or professional positions in medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, environmental science, and various other applied and technical fields. Courses cover both the concepts and processes of biology as well as various groups of organisms. Advanced courses and individual research opportunities are available in numerous sub-disciplines. Students in related degree programs, such as applied health sciences and education, obtain the biological component of their programs from fundamental and applied courses offered in the Department of Biology.
[2] The Undergraduate Scholars Program in Biology
Junior or senior students with a grade point average of at least 3.0 overall are allowed to participate in a program which, when successfully completed, will qualify them to graduate as an Undergraduate Scholar in Biology. The program requires completion of all biology courses with a grade point of 3.25 or better, plus at least 3 additional hours of independent research (BIOL 3350) under the supervision of a committee consisting of a faculty mentor and two other faculty members. An acceptable written report of this research must be submitted, and an oral presentation must be given to the Department of Biology or in another suitable public forum. Additional details are available from the Biology Department office (Lewis Science Center, Room 180).
[3] Baccalaureate Degree: Bachelor of Science
The baccalaureate degree described below requires successful completion of a minimum of 120 hours, including (1) the general education component, (2) BS degree requirements, and (3) requirements in biological science, physical science and mathematics. Completion of a minor approved by both the major and the minor advisors is optional (see specific requirements below). Please note: Students must earn a C or higher grade in a biology core course before enrolling in a subsequent biology core course or biology elective that lists that core course as a prerequisite. Similar prerequisite requirements also exist for courses in other departments offering courses required for a BS degree in Biology.
[3.1] Major in Biology (40-48 hours)
Biology Core Requirements: BIOL 1440, 1441, 2490, 3402 and 3403
Required courses also include: CHEM 1450, 1451, 2401, 3411; PHYS 1410, 1420; MATH 1491 or MATH 1496 (formerly 1591) and MATH 2311
Biology Elective Requirements:
Major without a minor: 28 hours of electives chosen from the following 5 groups, including a minimum of four (4) laboratory courses
Major with a minor: 20 hours of electives chosen from the following 5 groups, including a minimum of four (4) laboratory courses
Cellular and Molecular Concepts (must select at least one class)
BIOL 4320
BIOL 4405
BIOL 4425
BIOL 4530
BIOL 4340
BIOL 3420
BIOL 4475
Biological Structure and Function (must select at least one class)
BIOL 4311
BIOL 4351
BIOL 4360
BIOL 4428
BIOL 4430
BIOL 4450
BIOL 4460
BIOL 4400
Diversity of Organisms (must select at least one class)
BIOL 4401
BIOL 3410
BIOL 4404
BIOL 4410
BIOL 4418
BIOL 4440
BIOL 4461
BIOL 4470
BIOL 4455
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (must select at least one class)
BIOL 3360
BIOL 3390
BIOL 4435
BIOL 4415
BIOL 4442
BIOL/ENVR 4465
ENVR 3410
Additional Qualified Electives (no mandatory minimum from this category)
BIOL 3305
BIOL 4100
BIOL 4445
BIOL 4250
BIOL 3150/4155*
BIOL 3145/3245/3345/3445*
BIOL 3185/3285/3385/4185/4285/4385*
BIOL 4330
BIOL 4406
BIOL 4407
CHEM 4320
CHEM 4121
*requires submission of proposal and departmental approval to be used as biology elective toward fulfilling degree requirements.
[3.2] Minor in Biology (24 hours)
Minimum Requirements: BIOL 1440, 1441, 2490, 3402, 3403, plus 4 elective hours chosen from 2405, 2406, 2407, 2411, 2420, 3370 and all courses listed as electives for the major. Additional requirements include CHEM 1450, 1451, 2401 and PHYS 1410, 1420.
[4] Teaching Licensure
A student with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology who is interested in obtaining teaching licensure in life science/earth science should contact the science education advisor in the Department of Biology (Dr. Bland; 450-5967 or Mr. Mimms; 450-3677) and the chair of the Department of Middle/Secondary Education and Instructional Technologies (450-3177).
[5] Master’s Degree
See Graduate Bulletin.
[6] Courses in Biology (BIOL)
Follow this link for BIOL course descriptions: course link.
[7] Courses at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
The University of Central Arkansas is affiliated with the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) at Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Students may take GCRL courses and receive credit at UCA.
UCA advisor: Dr. Noyes
Prerequisite for all courses: BIOL 2490 and consent of Department.
The following courses offered at GCRL can be used to satisfy up to 4 semester hours of the biology elective credit requirement at UCA. Special Problems in Marine Science (course #490) may satisfy up to 4 additional hours of the biology elective credit requirement upon approval of the Biology Department Independent Study Committee.
| Number | Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| 301 | Marine Science II: Marine Biology | 3 |
| 301L | Marine Science II: Marine Biology Lab | 2 |
| 403/503 | Marine Invertebrate Zoology | 3 |
| 403L/503L | Marine Invertebrate Zoology Lab | 3 |
| 405/505 | Marine Ecology | 3 |
| 405L/505L | Marine Ecology Lab | 2 |
| 407/507 | Marine Aquaculture | 3 |
| 407L/507L | Marine Aquaculture Lab | 3 |
| 408/508 | Marine Ichthyology | 3 |
| 408L/508L | Marine Ichthyology Lab | 3 |
| 421/521 | Coastal Vegetation | 2 |
| 421L/521L | Coastal Vegetation Lab | 1 |
| 423/523 | Marine Mammals | 3 |
| 423L/523L | Marine Mammals Lab | 3 |
| 490/590 | Special Problems in Marine Science | TBA |