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Dec 11, 2024
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2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Biology, B.S.
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 Return to: Programs of Study
Biology, the science of life, is one of the most fascinating and rewarding disciplines. Students successfully completing the Avila University Biology major can pursue a variety of career options, including work in the health professions; forensic sciences; forestry; agriculture; fisheries; oceanography; conservation; environmental research and management; medical and scientific publishing; business careers in health administration, instrumentation, and pharmaceuticals; secondary education; or pursue special research interests as a postgraduate biologist.
The candidate for the Bachelor of Science in Biology must complete all general degree requirements as stated earlier in this catalog. Students must complete all Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics courses applicable to degree requirements with a minimum grade of “C.”
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Core Requirements
All students must complete the Avila University Core Curriculum as a part of their degree programs. The Core consists of a minimum of 39 credit hours that meet the requirements listed below. Please go to Core Curriculum for more information and to view all Core classes.
Core Foundations (9-11 credit hours)
Foundations requirements provide the basic skills essential for effective participation in other classes as well as the professional world.
Core Pillars & Levels (30 credit hours)
Pillars and Levels requirements address the breadth of knowledge expected of a liberal arts education and challenges students to integrate prior knowledge and create new ideas through higher levels of coursework.
Cross-Application Note: All courses that meet a Pillar also meet a Level and may meet a Designation requirement. Some courses taken for major and/or minor requirements may also meet Core requirements.
| CORE CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES |
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Social Justice & Civic Life Pillar
(6 credit hours required) |
Creativity & Culture Pillar
(6 credit hours required)
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Belief & Reason Pillar
(6 credit hours required) |
Explorations of Nature Pillar
(6 credit hours required) |
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24 credit hours required
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ACQUIRE LEVEL |
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| TRANSFORM LEVEL |
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| 6 credit hours required |
CONTRIBUTE LEVEL |
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Core Designations
Core Component Designations requirements incorporate assignments and experiences focused on developing and deepening student understanding to prepare students for responsible lifelong contributions to the global community.
| CORE Designations |
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Interdisciplinary Studies (IS)
(9 credit hours)
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Global Studies (GS)
(9 credit hours)
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Community Engagement (CE)
(3 credit hours)
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Transfer Students
The Core Component Designations requirement for transfer students is determined by the number of credit hours transferred to Avila University. Please see the Transfer Students page within this catalog.
Cross-Application
As noted above, courses can have multiple designations and thus meet multiple requirements at once.
Example: BI 215 - Humans & the Environment (3) meets all of the following requirements:
- Belief & Reason Nature Pillar
- Transform Level
- Global Studies (GS) Designation
- Major Requirement
Major Related Requirements
Technology Requirement
Computer competency will be demonstrated by successful completion of one of the following courses with a C grade or better.
Note
Students are strongly encouraged to take CH 217 , PH 232 , and math through calculus.
B.S. in Biology with Honors
Students who have completed fourteen credits of Biology courses with a sufficiently high biology G.P.A. and overall G.P.A. and who have demonstrated promise in other ways may be invited to apply for the biology Honors program. If the student’s application warrants acceptance into the program, he or she may be eligible for graduation with Honors. Graduating with Honors in biology requires completing a three-semester laboratory or field research project (two semesters of BI 493 in lieu of BI 492 and one semester of BI 499 ) of sufficient quality and maintaining a sufficiently high biology and overall G.P.A.
Science and Biology Education
Programs in science and biology education, approved by the State of Missouri, are offered. Kansas certification requirements may be completed concurrently.
Available Programs
Outcomes
All majors within the biological sciences will have the following outcomes:
Outcome 1.
Biology majors will acquire a foundation of scientific knowledge that includes the historical development of biological thought, cell theory, biogenesis, homeostasis, gene theory, and ecology. Evolution is stressed throughout the curriculum.
Outcome 2.
Biology majors will learn biology by doing biology. Students will acquire a basic set of laboratory skills. Also, throughout the curriculum, students will be given opportunities to perform independent research projects. Majors will learn to access and critique the primary literature, identify problems, design and implement appropriate procedures using technological tools, work independently or collaboratively, evaluate alternative solutions, and present the results of their work while properly using the language of the discipline. (All Courses)
Outcome 3.
Biology majors will be able to explain the limitations of science and properly place biology among the sciences. Majors will ultimately be able to apply scientific thought processes to broader intellectual and social issues. (All Courses)
Assessment
The outcomes for the biology major are assessed throughout the curriculum through a combination of course written examinations, laboratory written 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. The entire biology faculty reviews this report.
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