Archived General Catalog 2009-2011

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Biology

Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

For the student who wishes to major in the biological sciences, Purdue University North Central offers several options:

• General Biology

• Biology with a concentration in

• Ecology

• Microbiology

• Pre-Dentistry

• Pre-Medicine (including optometry and physical therapy)

• Pre-Veterinary Medicine

• A Chemistry minor for biology majors and an Ecology minor is available for non-majors.

MISSION

The primary mission of the Biology and Chemistry Department is one of teaching and service to residents of LaPorte, Porter, and Stark counties. The department also has an important mission in conducting research in which undergraduate students are encouraged to participate.

The general education experience at Purdue University North Central is fundamental to the primary and secondary missions of the Biology and Chemistry Department. General education is that component of the undergraduate curriculum at this campus devoted to those areas of knowledge, methods of inquiry, and ideas fundamental and common to all well-educated individuals. It is embedded in and enhanced by courses throughout the specific program of studies offered by this section, including the Bachelor of Science in the biological sciences. This experience encourages students to develop the ability to represent views clearly and cogently, analyze, think critically, and formulate reasoned conclusions.

OVERVIEW

The biological sciences are undergoing an extraordinary revolution, and the plans of study are formulated to give students a broad basis for comprehending the diverse nature of this field. Biology builds upon this knowledge and tries to understand the complex organization that gives rise to biological organizations and ultimately, to biological diversity. Our curriculum is designed so that this basic biological knowledge can readily be applied to critical practical problems in health and medicine, agriculture and the management of other renewable resources, and the nature of populations and their control.

The amount of information that is currently being discovered in the biological world is daunting, and we recognize that some students may want to focus within an area of specialization. Students begin our curriculum with a four-semester biology core. These courses provide a common knowledge base for all biology majors. The sequence begins with an overview of evolutionary, environmental, and organismal concepts, and then proceeds to examine relationships between development, structure, and function as adaptational mechanisms. The third and fourth semesters are concerned with cellular organization and function followed by genetic and molecular principles so important to modern biology.

Third and fourth year students have acquired a background in chemistry, mathematics and physics in addition to the common body of biological knowledge and laboratory skills. Students must take courses in four areas of Biology: Molecular and Cellular, Structure & Function, Evolution, and Ecology & Environmental. Students have considerable leeway in choosing courses from these groups and this allows students to pursue their interests within the broadly defined areas. This system promotes and reinforces an understanding of the breadth of modern biology. However, in some pre-professional programs (Preveterinary Medicine, Predentistry) or Biology Major options (Microbiology, Ecology), some courses are required for graduation and this somewhat restricts choices. All majors must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of upper division courses exclusive of BIOL 40700 (Capstone) and x9500 (special assignments or research) courses. At least one of these courses must have a formal laboratory component and at least one must be a 50000 level biology course. If minimal requirements are met, approximately 13 credit hours of electives remain to meet the 124 credit hours mandated by Purdue University for a Bachelor of Science Degree. Majors are encouraged to take additional elective courses or participate in research to increase their knowledge or expertise in Biological Science.

In addition, undergraduate research is emphasized, so that all students have an opportunity to perform independent research. Research develops scientific skills and hones critical thinking. Students participating in this program may write an undergraduate honors thesis; present their findings at local, state, regional and national scientific meetings; or be published as co-authors on papers in scientific journals.

Finally, the Biology and Chemistry Department has developed a student-centered environment to enable all students to succeed. In the first semester, students take a resources and problem-solving (freshman experience) seminar that is coordinated with the first-semester biology lecture and lab course, BIOL 12100 and 11600. This seminar facilitates a student’s transition from high school to the university setting. Graduating seniors must participate in the senior Capstone Experience seminars in the spring of their senior year. This seminar is a synthesis course designed to utilize a student’s knowledge and skills to critically analyze current scientific research. This course is also used by the faculty to access and improve the curricular components of the biology degree program.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Special Assignments (BIOL X9500).

Students who would like to undertake special study in areas not available through formal course work offered by the department are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty member whose work is in the area of their interest and arrange to enroll in special assignment courses: BIOL 29500, 39500 or 49500. The special study can be: directed readings; independent study, undergraduate research; supervised library, laboratory, or field work; or discussions. Credit will be given for the work, and a title of the area investigated will appear on the transcript. These courses can be repeated for credit. Undergraduate research is emphasized and encouraged at Purdue University North Central.

National Biology Honor Society.

In 1998, Purdue University North Central was granted a local chapter (XI RHO) of the Beta Beta Beta honor society. It is for students, particularly undergraduates, dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. Since its founding in 1922, more than 145,000 persons have been accepted into lifetime membership, and more than 380 chapters have been established throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

Undergraduate Research.

Students are strongly encouraged to become involved in undergraduate research or independent studies (i.e. BIOL 29500, 39500, 49500, 59500). Contact a Biology/Chemistry faculty member for specific information about these opportunities. Undergraduate research and independent study courses are listed as: BIOL 29500, 39500, 49500, and 59500. These courses are for 1 to 4 credit hours per semester.

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Purdue educated biologists function in many ways: as technicians, technologists, and scientists in industry, government, hospitals, and academic institutions; as teachers in high schools and community colleges; and, given additional talents and training, as science writers, editors, illustrators, and sales personnel in pharmaceutical, hospital, and scientific supply industries. Many graduates later earn a Master of Science or Ph.D. degree, preparing them for positions that involve teaching and research in universities or in industrial or medical laboratories. A basic education in biology is good preparation for advanced work in various aspects of applied pharmacy, agriculture, dentistry, medicine, genetic counseling, marine biology, optometry, veterinary medicine, behavioral science, biomedical and environmental engineering, forestry, and wildlife, range, and water management.

GENERAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY

• Completion of the specified plan of study.

• Minimum of 124 semester hours completed as specified by the plan of study.

• Completion of at least 32 semester hours of Purdue University credit approved for the degree; these courses are expected to be at the 30000 level or above.

• A 2.0 grade point average in all biology and biology elective courses required for the degree. This includes courses outside of biology (e.g., botany, forestry and natural resources).

• A minimum graduation index of 2.0.

It is the student’s responsibility to know and follow the specified degree plan of study. Failure to do so will delay or prevent graduation.

If the student is interested in transferring to another university, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the university of interest relative to admissions, transferability, and degree requirements.

GENERAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The biology core consists of courses required of all undergraduate majors. The sequence begins with the Freshman Experience Seminar in conjunction with an overview of the evolutionary development of organismal diversity and ways organisms interact with their environment and each other. That is followed by a course that introduces the principles of plant and animal development and explores the relationship between their structure and function. The third course includes the study of how cells are structurally organized and how they function. Students are then introduced to the principles of genetics and the molecular mechanisms of gene expression, mutation and replication. Finally, in the senior year, students are given the opportunity to solve real world problems via the Senior Capstone Experience seminar.

In addition to the course and elective biology courses, students majoring in biology must take certain courses in chemistry, mathematics, and physics, as well as English, foreign language, humanities, and the social sciences. In meeting the various requirements, a student fulfills the School of Science graduation requirements. 

A student wishing to graduate with a degree in biology must have a 2.0 gradepoint average in all biology and biology elective courses required for his or her major or specialization. This may include courses outside of the biological sciences if such courses fulfill biology or biology elective requirements for that major or specialization (e.g. botany, forestry and natural resources).

Students majoring in the biological sciences have the choice of focusing or broadening their education by the selection of electives; courses are offered in many aspects of biology. Usually, students take these specialized courses after the sophomore year. It is advantageous for a student to decide by the sophomore year what aspect of the biological sciences he or she wants to emphasize in order to begin the correct sequence of courses required by each major.

Course Requirements: For ALL Biology Majors

The following courses are required for all degrees and concentrations in the biological sciences. In addition, a block of special courses is required for each concentration.

• A minimum of 124 total credits are necessary to graduate. This must include:

• At least 32 credit hours of Purdue University (non-transfer) credit.

• At least 32 credit hours at the 30000 level or above

• 2.0 grade point average in all Biology courses.

• A minimum graduation index of 2.0.

Physics (8 credits)

Mathematics (12 credits)

General Education (42 credits)

One of the following:

Group A (6 credits; select one two course series) 

Group B

Group C (6 credits; select two)

Chemistry (20 credits)

If you also take CHM 37200, Physical Chemistry (4 credits), you can obtain a minor in chemistry.

Biology Core (21 credits)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

General Biology Major (15+ credits excluding BIOL x9500 courses)

Choose at least one from each of the groups below, at least one laboratory course, and at least one 50000 level biology course.

Molecular and Cellular

Structure & Function

Evolution

Ecology & Environmental

Other upper-level courses may be available; check with your advisor.

Free Electives (approximately 9 credits)

Additional upper-level biology courses are encouraged.

Ecology Concentration (General Biology Major including the following courses:)

Required

Recommended

Other upper-level courses may be available; check with your advisor.

Microbiology Concentration (General Biology Major including the following courses:)

Required

Recommended

Other upper-level courses may be available; check with your advisor.

Predentistry Concentration (General Biology Major including the following courses:)

See General Biology Major Groups

Required

Recommended

Other upper-level courses may be available; check with your advisor.

Premedicine Concentration (General Biology Major including the following courses:)

See General Biology Major Groups 

Preveterinary Medicine Concentration (General Biology Major including the following courses:)

See General Biology Major Groups

Required

Other upper-level courses may be available; check with your advisor.

Engineering Concentration

See Technology Academic Advisor

Mathematics Concentration

If you have had a foreign language (FL) in high school, you may be able to earn some FL credit by taking a credit exam.

Freshman Year

First Semester

15 Semester Credits

Second Semester

15 Semester Credits

Sophomore Year

Third Semester

17 Semester Credits

Fourth Semester

17 Semester Credits

*MA 16100 and MA 16200 are taught on the Purdue West Lafayette campus; MA 16700 is equivalent to MA 16100 and MA 16900 is equivalent to MA 16200.

Physics Concentration

If you have had a foreign language (FL) in high school, you may be able to earn some FL credit by taking a credit exam.

Freshman Year

First Semester 

15 Semester Credits

Second Semester

16 Semester Credits

Sophomore Year

Third Semester

18 Semester Credits

Fourth Semester

16 Semester Credits

*MA 16100 and MA 16200 are taught on the Purdue West Lafayette campus; MA 16700 is equivalent to MA 16100 and MA 16900 is equivalent to MA 16200.

Statistics Concentration

If you have had a foreign language (FL) in high school, you may be able to earn some FL credit by taking a credit exam.

Freshman Year

First Semester

15 Semester Credits

Second Semester

15 Semester Credits

Sophomore Year

First Semester

17 Semester Credits

Second Semester

17 Semester Credits

*MA 16100 and MA 16200 are taught on the Purdue West Lafayette campus; MA 16700 is equivalent to MA 16100 and MA 16900 is equivalent to MA 16200.

**Students should strongly consider taking at least one of the following as a Professional Pertinent Elective: STAT 36100, STAT 36200 or STAT 36300.

Technology-Physics Concentration

If you have had a foreign language (FL) in high school, you may be able to earn some FL credit by taking a credit exam.

Freshman Year

First Semester 

18 Semester Credits

Second Semester

16 Semester Credits

Sophomore Year

Third Semester

15 Semester Credits

Fourth Semester

16 Semester Credits

*MA 16100 and MA 16200 are taught on the Purdue West Lafayette campus; MA 16700 is equivalent to MA 16100 and MA 16900 is equivalent to MA 16200.