Department of Biology

[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] Honors in Biology

[Jump to Recognition of Academic Achievement for general information about Honors in the Majors.]

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 with Honors 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.

[3] Baccalaureate Degree: Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science in Biology requires successful completion of a minimum of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the lower-division UCA Core requirements) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses; (2) BS degree requirements (see UCA Degree Requirements); and (3) requirements in biological science, physical science, and mathematics as described below. 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:

Other Required Courses:

Biology Elective Requirements:

Note 1:

These courses require prerequisites not normally taken by UCA Biology majors.

Note 2:

Up to four (4) hours may count as biology elective credit with departmental approval.

[3.2] Minor in Biology (24 hours)

Minimum Requirements:

Four elective hours chosen from the following:

Additional requirements include:

[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 Teaching and Learning (450-3177).

Note: Students are no longer admitted to the BSE in Secondary Science Education. UCA STEMteach is now the path to licensure in science education.

[5] Master’s Degree

See Graduate Bulletin.

Course Links

[6.1] Courses in Biology (BIOL)

Follow this link for BIOL course descriptions: course link.

[6.2] 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.