Biology Department - 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
Nine courses including:
- BIO 151 IntroductoryBiology
- BIO 152 Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity
- BIO 253 Introductory Cellular Biology and
- BIO 361 Plant Biology or BIO 481 Ecology
and five upper division biology electives chosen from the following list:
- 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 476 Microbiology
- BIO 481 Ecology
- BIO 486 Immunology
- BIO 495 Special Topics in Biology
Required Supporting Courses for Bachelor of Science
- CHM 105/106 Principles of Chemistry or CHM 115/116 General Chemistry
- CHM 351/352 Organic Chemistry
- PHY 121/122 General Physics
- MAT 145/146 Calculus
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 105/106 Principles of Chemistry or 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 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
- SCI 106
- An introductory geology course
Graduation skills in Critical Thinking (CT) 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 115. Consult your department chair or academic adviser for requirements for meeting the Quantitative Reasoning (QR) graduation skill.
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.
Departmental Honors
GPA of 3.50 in biology and 3.00 overall, one course of approved independent study (BIO 499) or a research internship combined with BIO 498, public presentation of results along with a written report. Project proposals should be made to the department by Sept. 30 of the senior year or Feb. 28 in the case of students planning to graduate in the following December.
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. A GPA of 2.00 for BIO 151, 152, and 253 is a prerequisite for enrollment in upper division biology courses. A grade of 2.00 or above is required for all upper division courses applied toward the 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 and Dale Pederson.
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 Aug Experience, internships and/or independent study. Careful consultation with the Biology adviser is recommended to select among course work 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.
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 3.00 in biology.
Cooperative Education and Service Learning
The department works with the Center for Service, Work and Learning in identifying and defining cooperative education experiences in laboratories and other settings in the Twin Cities. Augsburg Student Association for Health Sciences The Augsburg Student Association for Health Sciences exists to serve all students preparing for post-baccalaureate study and/or careers in medicine and allied health professions. It facilitates volunteer and work opportunities, provides contact with admissions representatives from several professional schools, and arranges visits with alumni in several health fields.
