Page 239 - BSU Undergraduate-Catalog-2017-2019

6. To maintain strong linkages with regional private and government institutions in support of the
Department’s educational and research activities.
7. To maintain the viability of programs through systematic and continuous
evaluation and modification

Opportunities are given to upperclassmen to take liberal, scientific and technology-related fields; an
advisor from his or her major field must approve each student’s elective program.

REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS
All majors in the Department of Natural Sciences must take and pass the Bowie State University English
Proficiency Examination after successful completion of ENGL 101 Composition and Literature I and ENGL
102, Argument and Research. Transfer students who completed their English composition requirements
at another institution must take the Bowie State University English Proficiency Examination during their
First Semester of enrollment at the University. As a graduation requirement, all science education majors
must take and pass (according to the Maryland Department of Education passing score) both parts
(Core Batteries and Specialty) of the PRAXIS Examination.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE (BIOLOGY, BIOINFORMATICS, SCIENCE EDUCATION)

BIOLOGY
Upon completion of at least 34 required semester hours in biology courses plus 15 semester hours in
biology electives, 21 semester hours in required chemistry courses, 10 semester hours in required
physics courses, 4 semester hours in a required mathematics course, and approximately 37 semester hours
of general education courses, a student will be awarded the BS degree in biology. The total number
of semester hours needed to acquire the BS is approximately 120-121. Adequate pre-medicine pre-
dentistry and pre-pharmacy courses are provided in the biology program to prepare students to enter
medical, dental or pharmacy school. Recent graduates of the Department are currently enrolled in
schools of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, podiatry, and other allied health and engineering and
graduate schools.

Majors are required to earn a grade of “C” or better in all required biology, chemistry, mathematics and
computer science courses.

Because MATH 225 (Calculus I) or MATH 215 (Elements of Calculus) is the terminal mathematics course
for majors in biology, this course must be taken at Bowie State University. Biology electives must be above
the BIOL 101 level sequence. Students majoring in biology must meet two sets of requirements as
outlined below:

I. CORE BIOLOGY AND RELATED SCIENCE COURSES
The CORE requirements (BIOL 102, 103, 105, 209) will serve as the prerequisites for all other biology
courses offered in the major. CHEM 107 is the prerequisite courses for CHEM 108. Each prerequisite
MUST be successfully completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better BEFORE enrolling in the Required Core
Courses. Registration for BIOL 403 will ONLY be allowed during the senior year.
Students successfully completing the Required Prerequisite Courses, Required Core Courses
and Biochemistry II qualify for a sub-plan in the field of chemistry.

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