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Nov 03, 2024
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Biology, B.S.
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 Return to: Programs of Study
The Avila University Department of Biology prepares graduates for careers in the life sciences and related fields. By providing students with a common background through our introductory courses, the department encourages students to think scientifically and to develop an appreciation of the natural world. After completion of the introductory core, students will choose from elective courses that will prepare them for varied career opportunities. Regardless of which concentration a student pursues, all biology majors will graduate from Avila University with a common set of skills reflected in our program’s outcomes.
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Core Curriculum: 38 - 51 credit hours
Please review the Core Curriculum page for course options.
Required Core Courses
Students majoring in Biology must take the following liberal arts core courses regardless of whether the core is otherwise met:
Liberal Arts, Mathematics
Choose one of the following:
Liberal Arts, Natural Science with Lab
Biology Core Courses (19 credit hours)
Biology Capstone Research (3-5 Credit Hours)
All Biology Majors must choose either Option 1 or Option 2 to complete the Capstone requirement.
Biology Concentrations
Students completing a degree in Biology must choose one of the following concentrations to complete their degree program.
General Biology Concentration (23-26 credit hours)
Pre-Veterinary Concentration (33-40 credit hours)
Electives (minimum of 7 credit hours)
Technology Requirement
Computer competency will be demonstrated by successful completion of Biology Capstone (Standard or Honors Track) with a “C” grade or better within the major.
Science and Biology Education
Avila University also offers degrees approved by the State of Missouri for those who want to teach Biology. Students who want to teach at the high school level will major in Biology Teacher Education. Those wanting to teach at the middle school level will major in Middle School Education with a Science concentration.
Available Programs
B.S. in Biology with Honors
The Honors Track in Biology emphasizes hands-on experience with research techniques applicable to a broad range of fields in modern biology. Students completing a B.S. in Biology with Honors will be prepared to pursue competitive careers in academic research, private industry, medicine, and related fields. To qualify for honors status, students must:
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA overall and a 3.3 GPA within the biology major.
- Complete an honors-level capstone research project (one semester of BI 392, two semesters of BI 493 , and one semester of BI 499 ). The capstone research project must be completed as part of an active research lab and address an original research question.
Students interested in the Honors Program must first enroll as biology majors. They should complete course work within the major that prepares them sufficiently for the demands of Honors Research, with special attention paid to specific area of interest within biology. Students who have maintained a qualifying GPA enroll in BI 392 in their second or third year of study. BI 392 students identify a research mentor to supervise their Honors Capstone Project. They then apply for Honors status by developing, presenting, and defending a research proposal.
Students accepted to the Honors Capstone work closely with Biology Faculty to complete an original laboratory or field research project that spans at least three semesters prior to graduation. The Honors Capstone Project is subject to periodic review and must meet with the Biology Faculty’s approval to qualify for honors.
Outcomes
The Bachelor of Science in Biology has the following outcomes:
Outcome 1. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the basic principles of biology. Evolution will be stressed throughout the curriculum. (BI 111 and BI 112 )
Outcome 2. Describe organismal form and function in both plants and animals. (BI 214 )
Outcome 3. Explain genetic processes, including inheritance, gene function, the flow of genetic information, regulation of gene expression, and population genetics. (BI 318 )
Outcome 4. Demonstrate laboratory skills, such as experimental design, data collection and analysis, lab techniques, and research presentation. (Capstone courses)
Assessment: The outcomes for the Biology major are assessed throughout the curriculum through a combination of quizzes/examination, papers, and written research reports or oral research presentations.
Assessment
The outcomes for the biology major are assessed throughout the curriculum through a combination of course written examinations, laboratory written and oral presentations, laboratory examinations, and completion of a final written report. The final report is based on a laboratory or library research project or an internship in the field. In the tradition of graduate school thesis and dissertation committees, the biology faculty acts as a committee to review and evaluate this final report.
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Return to: Programs of Study
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