Department of Biological Sciences

Artenzia C. Young-Seigler, PhD., Department Chair
110 McCord Hall

(615) 963-5753

Faculty: C. Caudle, K. Cooney, C. Gardner-Jones, D. Hui, M. Ivy, H. Koh, E. Martin, M. McCallister, J. Ohair, Q. Quick, J. Robinson, S. Saraswati, V. Tiriveedhi, X. Wang, A. Young-Seigler

General Statement

The curriculum of the Department of Biological Sciences is designed to fulfill the pre-professional requirements of degrees leading to careers in medical, dental, environmental, marine, and biological sciences. Training in biology prepares students for careers in teaching, government, and private industry. State and federal agencies in agriculture, health, human services, environmental protection, and similar areas seek out students with good backgrounds in biology. New areas of biotechnology and genetic engineering have been added to opportunities in more traditional fields of research in marine biology, limnology, pharmacy, medicine, pathology, forestry, and horticulture. The degree programs in biology can provide a liberal education directed toward an appreciation of the complexity, diversity, and beauty of nature.

The Department also offers an M.S. degree in Biology and a Ph.D. degree in Biological Science. For information about these programs, see the Graduate Catalog.

To progress into the upper division programs of the Biology major, students are recommended to complete all of the requirements listed under the General Education Core. In addition, they must earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on college-level coursework

Upper-division Curricula

The undergraduate curricula for majors result in the Bachelor of Science degree. Students may select one of three curricula under the guidance of a major advisor. The programs are:1)General Biology, which is recommended for pre-professional students; 2) Cellular and Molecular Biology, which is recommended for students who wish to pursue graduate training and/or careers in these fields; and 3)Teacher Certification in Biological Sciences, which leads to an endorsement in biology and general science for teaching grades 7 - 12. No grade of less than “C” in any Biology Major Core course will be accepted as credit toward meeting Departmental requirements.

The Teacher Education Program is designed for students pursuing a teaching career in secondary education with a major in Biology. The program goals are directed toward the application of biology to the development of competencies in reading, writing, speaking, listening, mathematics, reasoning, studying, and computer competency. The overall curriculum provides for the improvement of knowledge and skills in English, the arts, mathematics, natural sciences, and social studies. A total of 122 semester hours is required in the teacher preparation program including student teaching and the accompanying seminar. Enhanced student teaching requires an eight-week placement in secondary school and a seven-week placement in middle school. A foreign language is not a requirement for the teacher education curriculum.

Students seeking teacher certification in Biology must be officially admitted to the certification program by applying through the College of Education, usually in the sophomore year. Admission to this program requires a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 and a passing score on the Praxis Core. Students who have previously earned a 21 on the ACT, 22 on the Enhanced ACT, or a combined 990 on the verbal and mathematics portions of the SAT are exempt from the PPST and the CBT. To be eligible for upper-level certification courses, a student must be officially admitted to the Teacher Education Program. For a complete list of admission and retention requirements in the Program, see the College of Education section, Teacher Education Admission, and Requirements.

A major in Biology with an emphasis on General Biology or Cellular and Molecular Biology requires 122 semester hours, of which 33 must be in biological coursework. Seniors who have demonstrated high achievements in their major courses are encouraged to take Biology 4190, an honors research course. This course offers an opportunity to gain experience in research under the direction of the Departmental faculty.

An undergraduate minor in the Department consists of a minimum of 24 semester hours, 16 of which should be taken in sequence in BIOL 1110, 1111 ; BIOL 1120, 1121 ; BIOL 2110, 2111 , and BIOL 2120, 2121 . General Chemistry CHEM 1110, 1111 and CHEM 1120, 1121 , with laboratories, are required as a supporting related course and must precede BIOL 2110, 2111 . The remaining eight hours of the minor must be on the 3000 or 4000 levels and may be elected in the minor area desired by the student.

Accreditation

The teacher certification program in Biology is approved by the Tennessee Department of Education. In addition, the teacher education program is accredited by the National Council on the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Programs

Major

Other Programs

MARC Program

Courses

Biology