Biology

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For students wishing to work in the broad area of biology rather than one of the more specialized fields offered by the Division of Biological Sciences, the Division offers an undergraduate degree in biology. Six emphases are provided in the program.

The botanical sciences emphasis includes the study of various aspects of plant life, such as form, structure, development, physiology, reproduction, classification, evolution and distribution. Plant science is important for many professional fields such as forestry, wildlife biology, pharmacy, agriculture, horticulture, plant pathology and plant breeding.

The cellular and molecular biology emphasis is for students wishing to concentrate on cellular and physiological aspects of biology and is designed for those who plan to continue studies at the graduate level or in the medical sciences.

In the environmental biology emphasis, students combine a background in basic biology with offerings in environmental science. This emphasis also is intended for those who plan to continue studies at the graduate level.

The natural history emphasis requires one year of general chemistry, but no coursework in mathematics or foreign languages beyond the General Education requirement.The emphasis in natural history is not suitable for the student planning a traditional career in the biological sciences.

The zoological sciences emphasis is a flexible program, and students have the opportunity to concentrate their electives in related areas such as ecology, environmental studies, wildlife biology, chemistry, botany, computer science, education or other areas.

High School Preparation: In addition to general University admission requirements, chemistry, mathematics through precalculus, and preparation in a modern foreign language are recommended.

Special Degree Requirements

Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog. See index.

These general courses must be completed for a B.A. degree with a major in biology: Biol 101N-102N, 103N-104N, 221, and 223. Exemption from Biol 101N-102N may be allowed.

Emphasis in Botanical Sciences

Forty-five credits in biology including the general requirements, Biol 222, 250, 300, 301, 311-312, 340-341, and 344.

Math 117, 121, 150, 241; CS 170; Chem 151N-152N, 154N, or 161N-162N, 164N-165N, 221-222, 223-224; Phys 121N-122N or 221N-222N also are required.

Emphasis in Cellular and Molecular Biology

Thirty-eight to forty-two credits in biology, biochemistry, and microbiology including the general requirements, Biol 121N, 222, 300, 301, 440; Bioc 381-382 or 481-482, Micb 300-301, and one course chosen from Biol 344 or 345, or Micb 450.

Math 117, 121, 150; CS 170; Chem 161N-162N, 164N-165N, 221-222, 223-224, 341; Phys 121N-122N or 221N-222N also are required. Students must complete 10 credits in a modern foreign language or demonstrate a reading knowledge in a modern language.

Emphasis in Environmental Biology

Forty credits in biology, biochemistry, and microbiology including the general requirements, Biol 222, 300, 301, 340-341, and the remaining credits at the 300 or 400 level.

Math 117, 121, 150, 241; CS 170; Chem 151N-152N, 154N; Phys 121N-122N or 221N-222N also are required. Students must complete 10 credits in a modern foreign language or demonstrate a reading knowledge in a modern language.

Emphasis in Natural History

Thirty-seven to thirty-nine credits in biology including Biol 121N-122N, 200N or 201N, 250, 300, 311 or 312, 304 or 306, and 309 or 310.

Chem 151N-152N, 154N are required. Students also must complete at least 20 credits in cognate areas of anthropology, chemistry, geography, geology, foreign languages, forestry, mathematics, physics and wildlife biology. However, no more than 10 credits from any one of these areas can be applied toward the 20-credit requirement. Students interested in combining natural history with other subject areas may, with the permission of an advisor, substitute 20 credits in English-writing, journalism, photography, art, business management, or some other field that would provide a unique learning experience.

Emphasis in Zoological Sciences

Forty-four to forty-five credits in biology including the general requirements, Biol 222, 300, 301, 302, 303, 309, 340-341, 345, and 413 or 465.

Math 117, 121, 150, 241; CS 170; and Chem 151N-152N, and 154N or 161N-162N, 164N-165N, 221-222, 223-224 are required. Students must successfully complete one college year, or its equivalent, of a modern foreign language.

Teacher Preparation in Biology

Emphasis in Biological Education_Major Teaching Field of Biology: This emphasis is designed for students seeking an endorsement in the major teaching field of biology. The general courses listed above are not required for students electing this emphasis.

A student must complete Biol 101N-102N, 103N-104N, 170N, 221-222, 223, 301, 340-341, 344, 345, and Micb 300-301.

CS 170; Math 117, 150 or 152, 241; Chem 151N-152N, 154N, 485; Sci 350; and C&I 426 also are required. Phys 121N-122N, or Geol 100N and 105N, must be completed.

For endorsement to teach biology, a student also must gain admission to Teacher Education and Student Teaching and meet all the requirements for certification as a secondary teacher (see the School of Education section of this catalog).

Biology qualifies for a single-field endorsement. However, there is a limited demand in most Montana high schools for teachers with a single endorsement in biology, and students are advised to complete the requirements for a second teaching endorsement (major or minor).

Minor Teaching Field of Biology: For an endorsement in the minor teaching field of biology, a student must complete Biol 101N-102N, 103N-104N, 121N-122N, 170N, 221-222, 223; Micb 300-301; Sci 350; C&I 426; CS 170; Math 117, 121, 241; and Chem 151N, 485. A student also must gain admission to Teacher Education and Student Teaching and must meet the requirements for certification as a secondary teacher (see the School of Education section of this catalog).

Teacher Preparation in General Science

Extended Major Teaching Field of General Science: A student must meet the requirements for a B.A. with a major in biology with an environmental biology emphasis by completing Biol 103N-104N, 221-222, 223 and 340-341; Astr 131N-134N; Chem 152N-154N, 161N-162N, 164N-165N, 485; CS 170; Geol 100N; Geog 330; Math 117, 150 or 152, 241; Sci 350 or Geol 301; and Phys 121N-122N or 221N-222N.

Highly recommended are Biol 345, Micb 300-301, Phys 122N and Chem 101N. For an endorsement in the extended major teaching field of General Science, a student must gain admission to Teacher Education and Student Teaching, complete C&I 426 and meet the requrement for certification as a secondary teacher (see the School of Education section of this catalog.)

Suggested Course of Study

Biology_All Emphases Except Natural History

First Year

Biol 101N-102N_Principles of Biology and Laboratory
Biol 103N-104N_Diversity of Life and Laboratory
Chem 151N-152N, 154N or
Chem 161N-162N, 164N-165N_General or
College Chemistry
*Enex 101_Composition
Math 117_Probability and Linear Mathematics
Math 121_Precalculus
Electives and General Education

*Semester of enrollment depends on beginning letter of student's last name.

Botanical Sciences Emphasis

Second Year

Biol 221-222_Cell and Molecular Biology and Laboratory
Biol 223_Genetics and Evolution
Biol 250_Rocky Mountain Flora
CS 170_Computer Applications
Math 150_Applied Calculus
Math 241_Statistics
Electives and General Education

Third Year

Biol 300_Biological Literature
Biol 301_Developmental Biology
Biol 311-312_Survey of Plants
Phys 121N-122N or221N- 222N_General Physics
Electives and General Education

Fourth Year

Biol 340-341_Ecology and Laboratory
Biol 344_Plant Physiology
Electives and General Education

Cellular and Molecular Biology Emphasis

Second Year

Biol 221-222_Cell and Molecular Biology and Laboratory
Biol 223_Genetics and Evolution
Biol 121N-_Introductory Ecology
Chem 221-222, 223-224_ Organic Chemistry and Laboratory
CS 170_Computer Applications
Math 150_Applied Calculus
Electives and General Education

Third Year

Bioc 381-382-Elementary Biochemistry or 481-482- Biochemistry
Biol 301_Developmental Biology
Micb 300-301_General Microbiology and Laboratory
Foreign language
Electives and General Education

Fourth Year

Biol 300-Biological Literature
Biol 440_Biological Electron Microscopy
Biol 344 or 345 or Micb 450_ Plant Physiology or Principles of Physiology or Microbial Physiology
Chem 341-Quantitative Analysis and Instrumental Methods
Phys 121N-122N or 221N- 222N_General Physics
Electives and General Education

Environmental Biology Emphasis

Second Year

Biol 221-222_Cell and Molecular Biology and Laboratory
Biol 223_Genetics and Evolution
CS 170_Computer Applications
Math 150_Applied Calculus
Math 241_Statistics Foreign language
Electives and General Education

Third Year

Biol 300_Biological Literature
Biol 301_Developmental Biology
Biol 340-341_Ecology and Laboratory
Electives and General Education

Fourth Year

Courses at the 300-400 level in Bioc, Biol, or Micb
Phys 121N-122N or 221N-222N_
General Physics
Electives and General Education

Natural History Emphasis

First Year

Biol 101N-102N_Principles of Biology and Laboratory
Biol 103N-104N_Diversity of Life and Laboratory
Biol 121N-122N_Introductory Ecology and Laboratory
Chem 151N-152N, 154N_ General Chemistry and Laboratory
*Enex 101_Composition
General Education and cognate requirements
*Semester of enrollment depends on beginning letter of student's last name.

Second Year

Biol 200N or 201N_ Trailside Botany or Montana Wildlife
Biol 221_Cell and Molecular Biology
Biol 223_Genetics and Evolution
Biol 250_Rocky Mountain Flora
General Education and cognate requirements

Third Year

Biol 300_Biological Literature
Biol 311 or 312_Survey of Plants
General Education and cognate requirements

Fourth Year

Biol 304 or 306-Ornithology or Mammalogy _
Biol 309 or 310_Invertebrate Biology or Entomology
Electives and General Education

Zoological Sciences Emphasis

Second Year

Biol 221-222_Cell and Molecular Biology
Biol 223_Genetics and Evolution
CS 170_Computer Applications
Math 150_Applied Calculus
Math 241_Statistics
Electives and General Education

Third Year

Biol 300_Biological Literature
Biol 301_Developmental Biology
Biol 302_Comparative Vertebrate Embryology
Biol 340-341_Ecology and Laboratory
Biol 413 or 465_Field Ecology or Experimental Biology Laboratory
Foreign language
Electives and General Education

Fourth Year

Biol 303_Functional Vertebrate Morphology
Biol 309_Invertebrate Biology
Biol 345_Principles of Physiology
Electives and General Education

Requirements for a Minor

To earn a minor in biology, the student must complete a minimum of 25 credits in biology including Biol 101N-102N, 103N-104N, 221 and 223 and 8 credits in biology or biochemistry at the 300-400 level. Exemption from Biol 101N-102N may be allowed with approval of an advisor in the Division. All courses must be taken for a traditional letter grade.

Biology courses . . .