Biology
Biology Degree Requirements
Students may choose one of the following degree options: Bachelor of Science in biology, Bachelor of Arts in biology, or Bachelor of Arts in life sciences.
Bachelor of Science in Biology
The total number of required courses in the department is nine-and-a-half courses. There are additional required supporting courses that must be taken in other disciplines.
The Core Series (4.5 total courses):
A. Introductory Biology Courses (3.0 courses)
BIO 151 Introductory Biology
BIO 152 Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity
BIO 253 Introductory Cellular BiologyB. Plant Biology or Ecology (1 course):
Note: Plant Biology or Ecology taken to satisfy this requirement cannot be used, in addition, as an elective. If both courses are taken, one can be used to satisfy an elective requirement.
BIO 361 Plant Biology
or BIO 481 EcologyC. A Keystone Course (0.5 course)
BIO 490 Biology Keystone
or SCI 490 Integrated Keystone
or another keystone with departmental approval
The Electives (5 courses)
Note: 5 courses which have not been used to satisfy other requirements within the major must be taken from among the following.
BIO 351 Invertebrate Zoology
BIO 353 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
BIO 355 Genetics
BIO 361 Plant Biology
BIO 369 Biochemistry
BIO 440 Plant Physiology
BIO 471 Advanced Cellular and Molecular Biology
BIO 473 Animal Physiology
BIO 474 Developmental Biology
BIO 475 Neurobiology
BIO 476 Microbiology
BIO 481 Ecology
BIO 486 Immunology
BIO 495 Special Topics in Biology
Required Supporting Courses for Bachelor of Science
CHM 115/116 General Chemistry
CHM 351/352 Organic Chemistry
PHY 121/122 General Physics
MAT 145/146 Calculus
General Education Accomodation
BS biology majors may reduce their general education program by one or two courses. See Bachelor of Science/Liberal Arts Foundation (LAF) Waiver in the Academic Information section of the catalog.
Bachelor of Arts in Biology
The same biology course requirements as for the Bachelor of Science degree, but with the following supporting courses: Required Supporting Courses for Bachelor of Arts
CHM 115/116 General Chemistry
PHY 116 Introduction to Physics
or PHY 121/122 General Physics
MAT 114 Precalculus
or MAT 145 Calculus I
or MAT 163 Introductory Statistics
or MAT 248 Biostatistics
or PSY 215 Research Methods: Design, Procedure, and Analysis I
Bachelor of Arts in Life Sciences This major is appropriate for students also seeking secondary teaching licensure in biology. Requirements are the same as for the Bachelor of Arts in biology degree, but with the following differences: Only four (rather than five) upper division biology electives are required, along with: Two additional science courses, chosen from the following list:
PHY 101 Astronomy
SCI 106 Introductory Meteorology
An introductory geology course
Graduation Skills
Graduation skills in Critical Thinking (CT), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), and Writing (W) are embedded throughout the offered courses and are met by completing the major. The graduation skill in Speaking (S) is met by completing COM 111 or COM 115. Transfer students must consult an adviser about potential adjustments to their course requirements to fulfill each of these skills.
Transfer course policy for majors and minors
All transfer courses, including ACTC courses, must be approved in writing by the department, subject to review by the chair. Only those biology courses successfully completed (2.0 or above) within the last 10 years will be considered. No more than two upper division courses from other institutions may be applied toward the major.
Custom Biology Programs
Students who have completed BIO 151, 152, 253 and at least two upper division electives may, in consultation with their adviser, seek approval from the department to complete major requirements with as many as four upper division courses from other institutions.
Departmental Honors
A GPA of 3.5 in biology and of 3.0 overall is required. Additionally, students must successfully complete one of the following: a) one course of approved independent study (BIO 499), b) a research internship combined with BIO 497, or c) participation in the Mayo Innovation Scholars Program. BIO 497and BIO 499 projects should be submitted to the department for approval by Sept. 30 of the senior year or Feb. 28 in the case of students planning to graduate in the following December. BIO 497 and BIO 499 projects must include public presentation and a written report approved by the department.
Minor
A course in general chemistry and five biology courses including BIO 151, 152, 253, and two upper division courses. The majority of courses in biology must be taken at Augsburg College.
Other Requirements
In planning their courses of study, students are encouraged to work closely with members of the biology faculty. Biology majors must have an adviser in the biology department. BIO 151 and 152 and Principles of Chemistry (or General Chemistry) should be taken in the first year, and BIO 253 and Organic Chemistry (when appropriate) in the second year. Students should complete their math requirements early in their college careers. To enroll in courses that require BIO 253 as a prerequisite, students must earn an average grade of 2.0 in BIO 151, 152, and 253. For courses that require only BIO 151 and 152, students must earn an average grade of 2.0 in BIO 151 and 152. A grade of 2.0 or above is required for all supporting courses and upper division biology courses applied to the major. Upper division biology requirements must be traditionally graded. A GPA of 2.5 in upper division biology courses is required for the life sciences major.
Biology for Health Sciences
Prerequisite requirements for health sciences vary with the program and the institution. Care should be taken to study the requirements for every program well in advance of making application. In general, medical schools require a two-semester sequences in calculus, physics and organic chemistry. Biochemistry is also commonly required and in some instances statistics and literature. Programs in physician assistant training, veterinary medicine, physical therapy and such typically have a more extensive list of prerequisites. Students considering a post-baccalaureate program in these areas should consult early and often with health science advisers Dixie Shafer, Dale Pederson and Kelsey Richardson-Blackwell.
Graduate Training in Biology
Graduate programs in biological fields typically require two semesters of general chemistry, organic chemistry, calculus and physics. Also required is extensive involvement in research through Augsburg Experience, internships and/or independent study. Careful consultation with a biology adviser is recommended to select among coursework and research options.
Teaching Licensure Major
The State of Minnesota has specific licensing requirements for biology teachers, the science portions of which are satisfied by the Augsburg life sciences major. The state requirements may be subject to change after publication of this catalog. Students therefore should consult with the Augsburg Department of Education to identify current Minnesota teacher licensure requirements. All upper division biology requirements for secondary licensure must be completed before beginning student teaching.
Post-Baccalaureate Teaching Licensure
Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree elsewhere and seek life science teaching licensure at Augsburg are required to complete a minimum of two upper division biology courses at Augsburg with grades of 2.5 or higher. Required or elective courses are determined by the department following review of transcripts and prior to matriculation.
Beta Beta Beta
Membership in the Augsburg chapter of this national biology honor society is open to those students who have completed at least one upper division biology course and have a GPA of 3.0 in biology.
Cooperative Education and Service-Learning
The department works with the Strommen Career and Internship Center in identifying and defining cooperative education experiences in laboratories and other settings in the Twin Cities.