Biology majors and minors are students who seek a broad exposure to the biological sciences, yet also want the flexibility to pursue a secondary course of study like education or business. Undergrads in the biology program also have the option to focus their degree with an area of emphasis. Areas of Emphasis: Biodiversity Designed for students interested in understanding the variety of life forms on our planet and how humans fit into global ecosystems.This emphasis is focused on applying fundamental principles of biology to ecological issues. Education Designed for students interested in science education. Those students pursuing a biology/education double major can take advantage of this emphasis to help satisfy some of the requirements for their certification in secondary education. Health Science Features upper level courses that apply to health-related fields. Students can take advantage of this emphasis to help prepare for a career in health sciences.

Students who complete any of the BA degree options will be able to: A. Explain and apply biological, chemical, and physical principles as they relate to the living world: * Describe the storage and transmission of genetic information in bacteria, plants, and animals. * Discuss the interactions between various organisms and their local environment and the effects they have on one another. * Explain the processes underlying evolutionary diversity and their impact on population dynamics. * Communicate the core principles of biology, chemistry, and physics in writings and in presentations. B. Describe the ethical ramifications of scientific research and technology and their impacts on society: * Maintain a high level of honesty and integrity in all scientific work. * Accurately report the original data, methods, and results for all experiments done. * Give proper credit and references when using the work of other researchers. C. Demonstrate the ability to do research and effectively communicate scientific information: * Recognize the scientific method when designing and interpreting laboratory experiments. * Use computers as a tool for doing research, gathering information, and presenting results. * Implement proper control experiments for scientific analysis. * Apply standard laboratory techniques and procedures when doing experiments. * Research information taken from multiple sources in the scientific literature. Complete a research project and present the results in oral and written form. D. Apply their skills and knowledge of the living world to grow as a global citizen and make positive contributions to society.