Request to revise the curriculum for Biology

Date: May 28, 2009
To: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
From: Julie Putnam, Administrative Assistant to Faculty Governance
Approved On: May 25, 2009
Implementation Date: 2009

Note: Deletions are strikethroughs. Insertions are underlined.

Catalog Copy

BIOL 1259. Bacteriology. (3) Prerequisite: a grade of C or better in one semester of chemistry CHEM 1203 or 1251. Basic physiology of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses, with emphasis on host-parasite interaction and control and epidemiology of infectious diseases. Not accepted toward the major in Biology. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

BIOL 1273. Human Anatomy and Physiology. (3) Prerequisites: a grade of C or better in CHEM 1203 or 1251 1204. Fundamentals of the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Not accepted toward the major in Biology. (Fall, Summer)

The biological sciences are important in many areas of human endeavor encompassing wide ranging career opportunities in medicine and allied health professions, education, environment, research, and industry. The Department of Biology offers undergraduate programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree and the Bachelor of Science degree. The B.A. degree provides a firm foundation in the basic principles of biology as background to understanding the biological world, and as preparation for many careers, such as medical/pharmaceutical sales; while the B.S. degree provides opportunity for advanced studies in academic or professional programs. The minor in Biology is offered for students who desire some experience in biology as an adjunct to their major.

Biology programs can be tailored to fit the individual student’s needs and interests. Through course selection, the student can emphasize many areas within biology: plant sciences, including horticulture, systematics, and plant physiology and ecology; animal sciences, which include behavior, morphology and physiology; microbial science, including virology and microbial physiology; cellular/molecular studies, such as genetics, development, immunology and biotechnology; and environmental sciences, including ecology and evolution. Opportunities for individualized instruction occur at every level from undergraduate research and tutorials with faculty in the junior and senior courses to honors research projects in the senior year. A program in medical technology is offered in cooperation with other institutions.

Students planning to declare a major in Biology must earn a C or better in the lecture part (3 hours) of BIOL 2120, BIOL 2130, BIOL 2130L, CHEM 1251,CHEM 1251L, and CHEM 1252 and CHEM 1252L before being accepted into the major. Students must also complete at least one semester and one biology course at UNC Charlotte and have a minimum overall and BIOL GPA of 2.0. Students who plan to be Biology majors but have not completed these requirements will be classified as “pre-biology majors” (PBIO) by the registrar.

After twice receiving a grade below C in any of the following courses, BIOL 2120, 2130, and 2130L, a student cannot enroll in the course again.

A student who has two successive semesters with a cumulative GPA in Biology of less than 2.0 is ineligible for continuation in bachelors degree programs in Biology.

BACHELOR OF ARTS

A major in Biology leading to the B.A. degree consists of 32 semester hours of biology including:

  1. Core sequence of General Biology I (BIOL 2120 + Lab) and General Biology II (BIOL 2130 + Lab)
  2. Four area courses: Cell (BIOL 3111 + Lab), Ecology (BIOL 3144), Genetics (BIOL 3166), and Animal or Plant Physiology (BIOL 3272 or 3273)
  3. One three hour evolution-oriented elective course (see department’s website for list of approved courses)
  4. Senior Seminar (BIOL 4600)

The B.A. degree requires a total of five biology laboratories counting the two required introductory labs. Additional requirements are CHEM 1251, 1252, and 2130 or 2131, with associated labs (CHEM 2131L is the required lab for CHEM 2130), three semester hours of mathematics (MATH) (excluding MATH 1102), and three semester hours of statistics (STAT). At least 12 hours of biology must be taken at UNC Charlotte. All Biology majors must take 3 hours of writing intensive course work in Biology at UNC Charlotte. Enrolling in any Biology course requires a grade of C or better in ALL prerequisites for that course.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

In addition to the 32 hours of biology required for the B.A. degree, a student working toward the B.S. degree is required to take 12 additional hours in biology for a total of 44 hours, two additional biology laboratories for a total of seven, CHEM 2131 and 2132 with associated laboratories, PHYS 1101, 1102 and associated labs, and three additional hours of mathematics (MATH). All B.S. students must take either MATH 1120 or 1241 as one of their required math courses.

SUGGESTED CURRICULUM FOR B.A. OR B.S. IN BIOLOGY

Following is the sequence in which required courses should be taken, even if they are not taken during the year indicated:

  • Freshman year: BIOL 2120 + BIOL 2120L and BIOL 2130 + BIOL 2130L; CHEM 1251 + CHEM 1251L and CHEM 1252 + CHEM 1252L
  • Sophomore year: CHEM 2130 (B.A. only) or 2131 + CHEM 2131L; BIOL 3111 + BIOL 3111L, BIOL 3144, and BIOL 3166; STAT 1221; for B.S. CHEM 2132 + CHEM 2132L
  • Junior year: BIOL 3272 or BIOL 3273, then advanced electives of any number
  • Senior year: BIOL 4600 and advanced electives of any number

See the Department of Biology for a more detailed schedule for the four-year program leading to the B.A. or B.S., including schedules for each of the options.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH AN OPTION IN CELL BIOLOGY/PHYSIOLOGY

The B.S. in Biology with an option in Cell Biology/Physiology consists of 44 hours. These include the core biology courses, General Biology I (BIOL 2120, BIOL 2120L) and General Biology II (BIOL 2130, BIOL 2130L); the four area courses, Cell Biology and lab (BIOL 3111+ BIOL 3111L), Ecology (BIOL 3144), Genetics (BIOL 3166), and Plant or Animal Physiology (BIOL 3272 or 3273); and Senior Seminar (BIOL 4600). In addition, a physiology lab (BIOL 3272L or BIOL 3273L) must be taken. Three additional laboratories from among the area courses or track electives must also be taken to complete the requirements of the B.S. The track also requires that students choose one course from each of the following areas: (1) Subcellular* topics, (2) Structure and Function*, and (3) Advanced Physiology*. Consult the Department of Biology for a current list of approved courses in these areas. A minimum of nine additional hours should be chosen, in consultation with an advisor from appropriate electives depending upon the student’s interests. Students are encouraged to take Undergraduate Research Investigations in Biology (BIOL 3900) or Honors in Biology (BIOL 4700, BIOL 4701) under the direction of one of the Cell Biology or Physiology faculty. Students are responsible for completing all of the chemistry, math, and physics courses required for a B.S. in Biology.

  • BIOL 2120, BIOL 2120L General Biology I & Lab (4) (3)
  • BIOL 2130, BIOL 2130L General Biology II & Lab (4) (5)
  • BIOL 3111 Cell Biology & Lab (3) (4)
  • BIOL 3144 Ecology (3)
  • BIOL 3166 Genetics (3)
  • BIOL 3272, BIOL 3272L Plant Physiology & Lab
  • OR BIOL 3273, BIOL 3273L Animal Physiology & Lab (4)
  • BIOL 4600 Senior Seminar (1)

Subcellular topic (3)
Structure and Function (3)
Advanced Physiology (3)

Total = 32 credit hours

*Students must choose one course each from each of the following sub areas.

  • Subcellular topics: Cell Physiology (BIOL 4171), Molecular Biology (BIOL 4199), Bbiochemistry (CHEM 4165), Advanced Cell Biology (BIOL 4000), DNA Profiling (BIOL 4000), Biotechnology at the Workbench (BIOL 4000), Cellular Neuroscience (BIOL 3271).
  • Structure and Function: Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (BIOL 4293), Medical Genetics (BIOL 4167), Systems Neuroscience (BIOL 3274), or Microbiology (BIOL 4250)
  • Advanced Physiology: Immunology (BIOL 4251), Microbial Physiology and Metabolism (BIOL 4257), Endocrinology (BIOL 4277), Neurobiology (BIOL 4279), or Cardiovascular Physiology (BIOL 4000).
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH AN OPTION IN ECOLOGY/ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY

A B.S. degree in Biology with an option in Ecology/Environmental Biology consists of 44 hours of biology including all required courses for a B.S. degree in Biology plus Ecology Laboratory (BIOL 3144L), Biometry (BIOL 4121), and Environmental Problems (BIOL 4000). Each student must take at least four courses in one of the following sub-areas of environmental biology. Students are also recommended to take ESCI 1101 and Investigations in Biology Undergraduate Research (BIOL 3900) under the direction of one of the environmental biology faculty. Students are responsible for all chemistry, mathematics, and physics requirements for a B.S. in Biology.

  • Plant Ecology: Plant Systematics (BIOL 4221) or Field Botany (BIOL 3229), Dendrology (BIOL 4229), Microbiology (BIOL 4250), Advanced Ecology (4144), Field Entomology (BIOL 4000), Horticulture (BIOL 3202), Evolution (BIOL 4111), Soil Science (ESCI 3210).
  • Animal Ecology: Invertebrate Zoology (BIOL 3231), Vertebrate Zoology (BIOL 3233) or Mammalogy (BIOL 4235), Animal Behavior (BIOL 4243), Wildlife Biology (BIOL 4234), Microbiology (BIOL 4250), Advanced Ecology (BIOL 4144), Field Entomology (BIOL 4000), Evolution (BIOL 4111).
  • Environmental Assessment: Plant Systematics (BIOL 4221) or Field Botany (BIOL 3229), Environmental Biotechnology (BIOL 4000), Microbiology (BIOL 4250), Wildlife Biology (BIOL 4234), Limnology and Oceanography (BIOL 4149), Dendrology (BIOL 4229), Advanced Ecology (BIOL 4144), Soil Science (ESCI 3210), Hydrological Processes (ESCI 4140) or Fluvial Processes (ESCI 4155) or Ecotoxicology (BIOL 4000).
  • Aquatic Ecology: Limnology and Oceanography (BIOL 4149), Invertebrate Zoology (BIOL 3231), Microbiology (BIOL 4250), Advanced Ecology (BIOL 4144), Hydrological Processes (ESCI 4140) or Fluvial Processes (ESCI 4155), Quantitative Analysis (CHEM 3111), Ecotoxicology (BIOL 4000).
  • General: Course program to be arranged in consultation with the Ecology/Environmental Biology Faculty.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH AN OPTION IN MICROBIOLOGY

A major in Biology leading to a B.S. degree with an option in microbiology includes the following coursework consists of 46 hours of biology including:

  1. Core sequence of General Biology I (BIOL 2120, BIOL 2120L) and General Biology II (BIOL 2130 and BIOL 2130L)
  2. Four area courses: Cell (BIOL 3111), Ecology (BIOL 3144), Genetics (BIOL 3166), and Plant or Animal Physiology (BIOL 3272, BIOL 3272L, or BIOL 3273, BIOL 3273L)
  3. Senior Seminar (BIOL 4600)
  4. Core of microbiology courses: Microbiology (BIOL 4250, BIOL 4250L), Microbial Physiology and Metabolism (BIOL 4257), Immunology (BIOL 4251), Pathogenic Bacteriology (BIOL 4256), and either Bacterial Genetics (BIOL 4255) or Molecular Biology (BIOL 4199)
  5. Six credit hours from the following list of electives (at least one of which must include a laboratory): The Fungi (BIOL 4233), Virology (BIOL 4259), Parasitology (BIOL 4233), Advanced Immunology (BIOL 4291), Bacterial Genetics or Molecular Biology if not taken as part of the “core”, Recombinant DNA Techniques (BIOL 4168), Host-Parasite Interactions (BIOL 4000), Immunological Methods (BIOL 4000), Biotechnology at the Workbench (BIOL 4000), Honors Research (Microbiology) (BIOL 4700, BIOL 4701), and Undergraduate Research (Microbiology) (BIOL 3900)
  6. CHEM 2132 with associated lab, PHYS 1101, PHYS 1102 and associated labs, and nine hours of mathematics including STAT 1221
BACHELOR OF ARTSWITH AN OPTION IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Upon satisfactory completion of training at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center School of Medical Technology, a student may receive a B.A. degree in Biology from UNC Charlotte. (It is possible to obtain a B.S. degree by careful planning with the advisor, although a B.S. degree will typically require a longer period of time than will the B.A. degree). The student must take General Biology I (BIOL 2120, BIOL 2120L), General Biology II (BIOL 2130, BIOL 2130L), Genetics (BIOL 3166), Microbiology (BIOL 4250, BIOL 4250L), Immunology (BIOL 4251), Animal Physiology (BIOL 3273), Seminar (BIOL 4600), and 16 hours of chemistry (CHEM 1251, CHEM 1251L, CHEM 1252, CHEM 1252L CHEM 2131, CHEM 2131L, and chemistry elective); have a total of 24 hours of biology and a total of four laboratories in biology at UNC Charlotte; and have a 2.0 grade point average overall and in the major at the end of the junior year. The student must have a total of 90 hours including 24 hours of biology at UNC Charlotte; the remaining 30 hours and eight hours of biology will be accepted from the School of Medical Technology. The final 30 hours counted toward the degree, and the last eight hours counted toward the major prior to entering a School of Medical Technology must be taken at UNC Charlotte. Gaining admission to the School of Medical Technology is the responsibility of the student. Additional information is available from the Department of Biology.

MINOR IN BIOLOGY

A minor in Biology requires 18 hours, including the BIOL 2120 and BIOL 2130 sequence or the BIOL 1110 and BIOL 1115 sequence and associated labs (only one of these sequences is allowed), other courses at the 1000 level are acceptable; a total of three laboratory courses; at least one three-hour course (not necessarily with lab) at or above the 3000 level; and a GPA of at least 2.0 in the minor. Students are responsible for meeting all Biology course prerequisites and corequisites. At least six hours must be taken at UNC Charlotte.

MINOR IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

The Minor in Biotechnology Program is an interdisciplinary program housed within the College of Arts & Sciences and is designed for Biology and Chemistry majors interested in careers in the biotechnology field. To obtain a Minor in Biotechnology, students will complete a series of required and optional interdisciplinary courses offered in the departments of biology, and chemistry, and civil engineering, and as well as complete a biotechnology-based internship in a regional government, industry, or academic laboratory. Students will have some flexibility to choose courses that reflect their specific area of emphasis within the biotechnology field.

Students must have at least an overall GPA of 3.0 and a 3.0 GPA in their major to participate in the program. The number of participating students will be determined by the number of available internship positions. Students will declare their intention to obtain this Minor by meeting with the Biotechnology Minor Program Head, typically at the beginning of their junior year. registering for the internship course, typically the beginning of their senior year. A maximum of nine credit hours applied towards a major degree program can also be applied towards the Minor in Biotechnology.

TEACHER EDUCATION

The Department, in collaboration with the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education, offers a program of biology and professional education courses to prepare students for 9-12 teacher licensure in North Carolina. Students interested in biology education should declare this interest during the first semester of the sophomore year to obtain appropriate advising and prepare for formal admission to a teacher education program. Students should contact the secondary education advisor for teacher education within the Department, as well as the Office of Student Academic Services in the College of Education for information about the requirements for admission to teacher education, coursework, and the culminating student teaching experience. Additional information about teacher education may be found in the College of Education section of this catalog.

HONORS PROGRAM IN BIOLOGY

The Honors Program is a research program for students majoring in Biology. Students interested in this program and who meet the admissions requirements should contact the Honors Coordinator in the Department of Biology.

Admission. Students are invited to participate in the program during their junior year by the Department Honors Committee. To qualify, a student must have completed 60 semester hours, including at least 15 hours at UNC Charlotte. At least 36 of the completed hours must be in science and mathematics. Students must have a 3.4 overall grade point average. An Honors advisor and a supervisory committee are appointed for each student.

Courses. To graduate with Honors, a student must complete BIOL 4601 (Honors Seminar), BIOL 4700 (Honors Research I) and BIOL 4701 (Honors Research II) with a B or better in each of the three courses.

Certification Requirements. A cumulative grade point average of 3.4 or greater must be maintained. An Honors thesis is required and the student must present the results of their project in an appropriate forum.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM

Students majoring in Biology may obtain practical work experience while pursuing their degrees. The Cooperative Education Program allows qualified students either to alternate semesters of academic study with semesters of work experience or to combine academic study and work during the same semester. The work experience is arranged by the University Career Center and must be approved by the Department of Biology. Placements are based on a student’s academic interests and on the availability of appropriate positions and are carried out under the supervision of a Biology faculty member who serves as co-op advisor. Work semesters are followed by participation in the Biology Cooperative Education Seminar.