Department of Biological Sciences
Important Note: This is the archived version of the 2013–2015 Undergraduate Catalog. The information on these pages was archived on August 6, 2013 and will not be updated as requirement and/or program changes are approved. Please see www.uic.edu/ucat for the most up-to-date requirements.
BS with a Major in Biological SciencesMinor in Biological Sciences
Distinction
3268 Science and Engineering South (SES)
(312) 996–2211
http://www.uic.edu/depts/bios/
Administration: Head, Brian Kay
Director of Undergraduate Studies, John Leonard
The Biological Sciences majors study life, living organisms, and vital processes. Within this broad context, students and faculty pursue diverse programs, including, but not limited to, biochemistry, botany, cell biology, developmental, ecology, environmental sciences, ethology, evolution, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, morphology, paleontology, photosynthesis, physiology (animal, microbial, and plant), population biology, and virology. Students completing a baccalaureate degree in Biological Sciences are prepared for positions in teaching and governmental or industrial laboratories and are also qualified to pursue graduate studies in any of several concentrations within the biological sciences as well as the health professions.
The Department of Biological Sciences offers a program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences with a Major in Biological Sciences. A Minor in Biological Sciences is also offered.
BS with a Major in Biological Sciences
Admission to the Major
Continuing students, readmitted students, and transfer students not previously declared as a major in Biological Sciences must have a minimum GPA of 2.00/4.00 for all biology courses taken. Admission to the major is dependent upon space availability; therefore, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the major.
To earn a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from UIC, students must complete University, college, and departmental degree requirements. The Department of Biological Sciences degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.
| BS with a Major in Biological Sciences Degree Requirements | Hours |
| Required Prerequisite and Collateral Courses | 31–34 |
| Major Requirements | 36 |
| General Education and Electives to reach Minimum Total Hours | 50–53 |
| Minimum Total Hours—BS with a Major in Biological Sciences | 120 |
General Education
See General Education and Writing-in-the-Discipline in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for information on meeting these requirements. Students should consult the course lists below and their advisors to determine which courses are counted toward the General Education and Writing-in-the-Discipline requirements.
Required Prerequisite and Collateral Courses
| Courses | Hours |
| MATH 180—Calculus I (5) abc | 4–5 |
| OR | |
| STAT 130—Introduction to Statistics for the Life Sciences (4) | |
| One of the following sequences in physics: | 8–10 |
| PHYS 141—General Physics I (Mechanics) (4)bc | |
| PHYS 142—General Physics II (Electricity and Magnetism) (4)bc | |
| OR | |
| PHYS 105—Introductory Physics I—Lecture (4)cd | |
| PHYS 106—Introductory Physics I—Laboratory (1)cd | |
| PHYS 107—Introductory Physics II—Lecture (4)cd |
|
| PHYS 108—Introductory Physics II—Laboratory (1)cd |
|
| One of the following sequences in general chemistry: | 10 |
| CHEM 116—Honors General Chemistry I (5)c | |
| CHEM 118—Honors General Chemistry II (5)c |
|
| OR | |
| CHEM 112—General College Chemistry I (5)c | |
| CHEM 114—General College Chemistry II (5)c | |
| CHEM 232—Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 233—Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| CHEM 234—Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| Total Hours—Required Prerequisite and Collateral Courses | 31–34 |
a MATH 180 fulfills the LAS Quantitative Reasoning requirement.
b MATH 180 and MATH 181—Calculus I and II are recommended for students planning advance work in population biology and required for enrollment in PHYS 141 and PHYS 142.
c This course is approved for the Analyzing the Natural World General Education category.
d Each of the following pairs will be considered one course in meeting the LAS General Education requirements: PHYS 105/PHYS 106 and PHYS 107/PHYS 108.
Major Requirements
Of the 36 semester hours for the major, no more than 10 hours may be at the 100-level and at least 5 hours must be at the 300-level or above, excluding 391 and 399.
| Courses | Hours |
| BIOS 100—Biology of Cells and Organismsa | 5 |
| BIOS 101—Biology of Populations and Communitiesa | 5 |
| BIOS 220—Mendelian and Molecular Genetics | 3 |
| BIOS 221—Genetics Laboratoryb | 3 |
| BIOS 222—Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOS 230—Ecology and Evolution | 3 |
| BIOS 240—Homeostasis: The Physiology of Plants and Animals | 3 |
| At least two laboratory courses from the following list, assuming all prerequisites have been met:c | 4–10 |
| BIOS 223—Cell Biology Laboratory (2) | |
| BIOS 272—Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (5) | |
| BIOS 321—Developmental Biology Laboratory (3) | |
| BIOS 325—Vertebrate Embryology (5) | |
| BIOS 331—General Ecology Laboratory (3) | |
| BIOS 351—Microbiology Laboratory (2) | |
| BIOS 443—Animal Physiological Systems (4) | |
| Additional courses at the 200-level or above, chosen with the consent of an advisor, to bring the total to 36 semester hours in biological sciences. No more than 5 hours of independent study and research courses may be applied to the minimum hours required for the major. | 1–7 |
| Total Hours—Major Requirements | 36 |
a This course is approved for the Analyzing the Natural World General Education category.
b BIOS 221 fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement.
c Students who complete KN 251 and KN 252, or an advanced-level course equivalent to KN 252, may request that KN 252 be substituted for one required biological sciences laboratory course.
Recommended Plan of Study
To view a recommended plan of study for the major in Biological Sciences, please visit the LAS website http://www.las.uic.edu/students/prospective-undergraduate/degree-programs/four-year-model-plans.
Students from other disciplines who want to minor in Biological Sciences must complete 21 semester hours distributed as follows:
| Required Courses—Biological Sciences Minor | Hours |
| BIOS 100—Biology of Cells and Organisms | 5 |
| BIOS 101—Biology of Populations and Communities | 5 |
| Courses in the biological sciences at the 200-level or above, chosen in consultation with department advisor. | 11 |
| Total Hours—Biological Sciences Minor | 21 |
Departmental Distinction. Departmental Distinction is awarded to students with a minimum 3.70/4.00 GPA in biological sciences courses and to students with a minimum 3.30/4.00 GPA in biological sciences courses who successfully complete BIOS 399—Independent Research.
Highest Departmental Distinction. Highest Departmental Distinction is awarded to students who have a minimum 3.70/4.00 GPA in biological sciences courses and who successfully complete BIOS 399—Independent Research.
