Life science degree requirements

All students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences should be able to:

• Understand the nature of scientific knowledge.*
• Understand cell structures and functions.*
• Understand the physical nature of genetic information.*
• Understand that all organisms are genetically related, have evolved, and are evolving.*
• Understand the metabolic complexity of cells and organisms.
• Understand the complex interplay of how organisms respond to and interact with each other and their environment.
• Be able to effectively communicate complex biological concepts, orally and in writing.
• Be able to fulfill their professional goals.

Outcomes marked with an asterisk apply to students graduating with a minor in Biological Sciences.

In addition to the outcomes listed above, concentration specific outcomes are as follows:

• Explain the interrelationship between chemistry and biology, including how physical and chemical laws influence the structure and function of intracellular components and macromolecules.

In addition to the outcomes listed above, concentration specific outcomes are as follows:

• Articulate in detail the interactions organisms have with each other and with nonliving components of the environment and how organisms and environments change over time.

In addition to the outcomes listed above, concentration specific outcomes are as follows:

• Explain how cells and organisms acquire and process nutrients, transform energy, and maintain homeostasis in a variable environment to survive and reproduce.

In addition to the outcomes listed above, concentration specific outcomes are as follows:

• Explain the diversity and similarity of microbes, including their physiology, mechanisms of pathogenesis and host defenses, and unique ecology.

In addition to the outcomes listed above, concentration specific outcomes are as follows:

• Become competitive candidates for admission into professional schools.