Biology Programs Information

(The information below is an excerpt from the University of Michigan - Flint catalogue, links are given to the catalogue where the information is not contained on this page)

Program in Natural History | General Minor in Biology | Field Biology Minor | Teacher's Certificate Minor | View the full online Catalog

Biology (BIO)

Associate Professors Gary L. Pace, Bruce D. Parfitt, Jerry D. Sanders, Joseph F. Sucic;

Lecturers Mary Ann Cardani, Nanette Kelly, Elizabeth A. Malinowski, Ernest J. Szuch, Dennis P. Viele, Jr.,

Professor Emeritus: Jane Taylor; Associate Professor Emeritus Paul A. Adams.

Biology is the study of the organization and operation of life at cellular, organismal, and population levels. An understanding of biology leads to an appreciation of the complexity of the world of life and the role that human beings have within it. The department provides courses in biology that serve the needs of the general student as well as those specializing in the field. Students who concentrate in biology can design their programs to be the focus of a broad and liberal education, to prepare for graduate studies in a sub-discipline, to become certified as a secondary biology teacher, or to obtain pre-professional training in medicine, dentistry, and other health-related fields.

The mission of the Biology Department is to provide students with a broad knowledge base in biology and the skills necessary to be successful in attaining their chosen career goals. In addition to the factual content, students learn the historical basis, the social context, and the scientific methodology of each of the major conceptual areas of biology. The Department participates in the University-wide effort to assess its academic programs. Information on assessment plans, including goals, methods and outcomes are available at http://assessment.umflint.edu.

Each biology concentration programs requires completion [with a grade of C (2.0) or better] of two departmental courses designated as writing courses or, in the case of B.A. programs, one departmental writing course and COM 225 or COM/ENG 338. Departmental writing courses have assigned requirements that are evaluated for correct English compositional skills and evidence of research skills, and that count for at least 20% of the course grade. Such written assignments are completed outside of scheduled class meeting times, and some will be rewritten for re-evaluation. While subject to change, designated writing courses include: BIO 319, 376, 421, 430, 431, 432, 435, 436, 437, 443, 453, 460, 468, 475, 481 and 488. Completion of this requirement will be assessed by the department chair.

Programs in Biology

A graduate program (Master of Science in Biology) is described in the Graduate Study section of this Catalog. Seven undergraduate concentration programs are offered the General Program in Biology (Bachelor of Science), the Program in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (Bachelor of Science), the Program in Wildlife Biology (Bachelor of Science), and the Teacher's Certificate Program in Biology (Bachelor of Science), the Honors Program in Biology (Bachelor of Science), the Program in Human Biology (Bachelor of Arts), the Program in Natural History (Bachelor of Arts). Minors in Biology and Field Biology and a Teacher’s Certificate Minor are also available.

Students who are seriously considering a biology program should consult with a biology advisor prior to registration for classes their first semester.

General Program in Biology

Faculty Advisors: All regular, full-time biology faculty

The Bachelor of Science Program in General Biology is selected by most biology majors. This program is designed to provide a wide breadth of preparation in biology along with the greatest degree of student choice in selecting their upper-level courses. Like all of the Bachelor of Science programs in biology, this program requires at least pre-calculus mathematics (MTH 120), a year of physics (PHY 143 & 145), the freshman CHM 160 series, six to eight additional credits (depending on program) of higher-level chemistry, plus a foundational set of five, core-biology courses: Organismal Biology (BIO 111); Principles of Biology (BIO 113); Cell Biology (BIO 326); Ecology (BIO 327); and Genetics (BIO 328). Then, with the aid of an advisor, the student may select from a wide range of biology courses meet their own individual interests and career goals.

B. At least 44 credits in biology including BIO 111, 113, 326, 327 and 328, and two writing courses; and no more than 16 credit hours of 100 or 200-level courses.

C. At least 25 credits in non-biological sciences, mathematics and computer science, including CHM 160, 161, 162, either 163 or 165, at least 6 additional credits of chemistry (CHM 330 and 332 recommended); MTH 120 (unless equivalency is granted by the Biology Department), PHY 143, 145. Additional credits from any area of natural science or mathematics or CSC 121, 122, 175, or 271, excluding CHM 131, 140; ENV 100; MTH 090; PHY 105, 110.

E. At least 33 credits taken in upper division courses (courses numbered 300 or above).

F. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in biology and in the total work at the University of Michigan-Flint.

For the student planning to enter a graduate or professional school, one year of organic chemistry and one year of calculus are recommended.

Faculty Advisors: Dr. Joe Sucic, Dr. Jerry Sanders and Dr. Ann Sturtevant

The development of recombinant DNA technology, sometimes referred to us as genetic engineering, has radically altered the biomedical sciences. Recombinant DNA techniques have triggered the exponential growth of a new biological field—molecular genetics, or, more generally, molecular biology—which only two decades ago was in its infancy. Fundamental biological problems, untenable only a decade or two ago, are now being addressed using new molecular genetic methods. Recombinant DNA techniques are also revolutionizing disease diagnosis, as the genetic basis for diseases like cancer, muscular dystrophy, and Alzheimer’s are being discovered; indeed, almost nightly you can see a story on the news or in the paper that describes a new discover, facilitated by recombinant DNA methods, relating to these and other diseases. Applications of recombinant DNA methods, collectively called biotechnology, are yielding new approaches to disease treatment, drug development, forensics, and even the study of evolution.

The Program in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology provides students with a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare them for a career in this exciting and expanding area of biology. Students in this program will be exposed to state of the art molecular techniques, and students completing this program will be highly qualified to 1) seek employment at academic, industrial, or government laboratories engaged in molecular biology endeavors, or 2) pursue graduate studies in molecular biology and related fields such as microbiology, immunology, or cell biology.

Requirements

B. At least 40 credit hours in Biology including BIO 111, 113, 326, 327, 328, 425, 435, 462, 467, and 468.

C. Non-biological natural sciences. MTH 120, PHY 143, 145, CHM 160, 161, 162, 163, 230, 231, 232, 233, 450,452.

E. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in biology and in total work at the University of Michigan-Flint.

Program in Wildlife Biology

Faculty Advisors: Dennis Viele, Ernie Szuch, Nan Kelly, Dr. David Wigston, Dr. Stephen Trumble

Wildlife biology is a continuously expanding field, in which individuals will study the dynamics of animal and plant communities. The program in wildlife biology provides students with a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare them for a career in this exciting and expanding area of biology. Students in this program will be exposed to wildlife management methods, field techniques and theoretical studies of wildlife populations and species. Wildlife managers will ultimately be responsible in controlling animal and plant populations within state, country and possibly international borders. Wildlife managers may also be responsible for the management of non-game, endangered species or game animals and plants. This degree is intended to educate students in preparation for entry-level positions with state and federal agencies, private companies, and for the pursuit of higher academic degrees. The Program in Wildlife Biology expects to produce well-rounded students, thus, we will expect our students to enroll in disciplines such as; mathematics and statistics, chemistry, physics, communications, social sciences, and humanities. By using specifically identified coursework areas and mentoring, we will aid students in developing their intellectual capabilities in working with natural resources and people within that discipline.

B. At least 40 credit hours in Biology including BIO 111, 113, 326, 327, 328 and at least one wildlife management course.

C. Biology elective courses, at least two of which are writing courses, selected from organism or botany related courses such as: BIO 316, 372, 386, 410, 420, 421, 431, 443, 460, 461, 480, 481, 483, 484, 488, 491, Wildlife Management, Wetlands Management (numbers to be announced).

D. The following courses in non-biological natural sciences: CHM 160, 161, 162, 163, 220 or 230 (CHM 230 and 232 recommended for advanced science degrees), 380; GEO 151, 203; MTH 120; PHY 143, 145; RPL 312, 370.

F. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in biology and in all work completed at the University of Michigan-Flint.

The Teacher's Certificate Program in Biology provides students with a strong preparation in biology and other sciences and mathematics, at the secondary school level. We recommend that the required minor for secondary school certification be in a natural science or mathematics. These minors are accomplished very naturally within the Bachelor of Science degree program. All available Teacher Certification Minors are listed in the Catalog under "Guide to Programs and Degrees," and appropriate minors include general science, mathematics, chemistry, and physics. For additional information, see the sections entitled "General Requirements for Teacher Certification" and "Secondary Education Teacher's Certificate Programs" in the Catalog section for the Department of Education.

B. At least 40 credits in biology, including the core courses: BIO 111, 113, 326, 327, 328, two writing courses, and one course from each of the following six categories:

Italicized course numbers represent recommended choices within each category. Courses in parentheses only allow half the credits to be accepted towards the 40 needed for the B.S.

*Students completing a field-oriented course in both the botany (2) and zoology (3) categories may then complete their requirements for a field (4) course with any additional course from either category (2) or (3).

BIO 314, Evolution Controversy, is also recommended to prospective teachers and counts both toward the biology concentration and the values inquiry area option.

C. At least 25 credits in non-biological sciences, mathematics and computer science, including CHM 160, 161, 162, either 163 or 165, at least 6 additional credits of chemistry (CHM 230 and 232 recommended); MTH 120 (unless equivalency is granted by the Biology Department) and PHY 143, 145. Additional credits from any area of natural science or mathematics or CSC 121, 122, 175, or 271 excluding CHM 131, 140; ENV 100, MTH 090, PHY 105, 110.

D. A Teacher's Certificate Minor; see the particular department or program for requirements. Minors other than general science would require more than 124 total credits.

Honors Program in Biology

The Honors Program in Biology seeks to provide exceptional students an opportunity for formal academic recognition in a program even more rigorous than the curriculum required of other biology students.

Students considering this Honors Program should consult with the department's honors advisor as soon as possible after being admitted to the Freshman/Sophomore Honors Program. This facilitates the planning of the student's program. The importance of this early consultation should not be underestimated. There is very little room for error in planning a schedule of courses that permits breadth while requiring rigor.

Note that because of the specialized sequence of courses required in the pre-medicine program, such students should plan to fulfill some of their requirements with courses taken during spring or summer terms.

Applications to the University Honors Program in Biology should be made early in the second semester of the sophomore year. Procedures for application to this program can be obtained from the biology honors advisor.

B. BIO 111, 113, 326, 327, 328. Eight credits should be elected as honors elections.

B. HON 490 and eight additional credits in honors courses or honors electives taken outside biology.

F. At least 33 credits taken in upper division courses (courses numbered 300 or above).

G. A cumulative grade point average of 3.5 overall, and 3.0 in honors courses and honors electives.

For further information see the section entitled "University Honors Program" in this Catalog.

The Bachelor of Arts program in human biology is designed to provide students with a background in human-related biology courses as the focus of a broad and liberal education and in preparation for entrance into physical therapy, physician assistant, or pathology assistant programs. Before selecting this program students are cautioned to carefully consider their educational goals and to review the requirements for their future health professional program. It is strongly advised that students considering the program in human biology seek the counsel of a faculty advisor during their first year as critical decisions concerning the election of a chemistry sequence must be made at this time. Bachelor of Science biology students are required to take the two-semester freshman chemistry sequence (CHM 160/161-162/163), while human biology program students may alternatively choose a one-semester chemistry survey course (CHM 150/151). Students who choose CHM 150/151 and then later decide to switch to a Bachelor of Science program may not be able to complete their degree within four years.

The Program in Human Biology is not designed for students planning professional or graduate studies in the medical or biological sciences. Such students should complete one of the Bachelor of Science degree programs. The principle differences between the human biology program and the Bachelor of Science programs are that the Bachelor of Science programs require more math and chemistry courses, while the Human Biology Program requires a course in public speaking, selection of the foreign language area option for general education and a different set of core-biology courses.

B. Thirty-two (minimum) to forty (maximum) credits in biology including a core sequence of BIO 111, 113, 167, 168, 326 and 432. (BIO 302 may be substituted for BIO 167 and 168.) Additional courses may be selected from: BIO 300, 319, 328, 409/410, 412, 425, 430, 435, 438, 450, 467, 468, 472, 475, 485, or, with consent of instructor: BIO 434, 470, 482.

C. Communication/writing courses to include COM 210, and two biology-writing courses with grades of C or better. COM 225 or COM/ENG 338 (recommended) with a grade of C or better may be substituted for one biology-writing course.

D. Courses in non-biological natural sciences and mathematics to include the following or their equivalent (or higher): CHM 150, 151, 220, 350; MTH 111; PHY 143, 145.

F. At least 33 credits taken in upper division courses (courses numbered 300 or above).

G. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in biology and in the total work at the University of Michigan-Flint.

H. Grades of C- or better in all 100 and 300 level core BIO courses used as prerequisites.

Program in Natural History

The Bachelor of Arts program in Natural History is designed for students with a naturalist’s interest in biology. Potential careers exist as naturalists with parks, nature centers or organizations such as the Nature Conservancy and the Sierra Club. Generally, this program is not intended for students planning graduate studies in the life sciences (in such cases, students are advised to select a Bachelor of Science program with electives suitable to their goals). In the Bachelor of Arts program there are three core biology courses: Organismal Biology (BIO 111); Principles of Biology (BIO 113) and Ecology (BIO 327). To provide students in this program with enhanced communication skills, the program also requires two communication courses: Introduction to Public Speaking (COM 210) and Principles of News and Feature Writing (COM 225). Advanced biology course requirements for this program are a minimum of five additional 400 level courses in field or organismal biology that list Ecology (BIO 327) as a prerequisite. The mission of this program is to provide students with a program of naturalist-oriented courses in biology, as the focus of a broad and liberal education.

A. Completion of an oral examination during senior year (>92 credit hours) as part of the department’s assessment of the Program in Natural History.

C. Thirty-two (minimum) to forty (maximum) credits in biology including a core sequence of BIO 111, 113, 327; five additional courses with BIO 327 as a prerequisite.

D. Communication/writing courses to include COM 210, and two biology-writing courses with a grade of C or better. COM 225 or COM/ENG 338 (recommended) with a grade of C or better may be substituted for one biology-writing course.

E. Courses in non-biological natural sciences and mathematics to include the following or their equivalent (or higher): CHM 150, 151; MTH 111; PHY 143.

G. At least 33 credits of upper division courses (courses numbered 300 or above).

H. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in biology and in the total work at the University of Michigan-Flint.

Requirements. BIO 111, 113, 326, 327, 328, plus four additional credits in biology lab or field courses numbered 300 or above (excluding BIO 490, 491).

Requirements. BIO 111, 113, 327, plus twelve additional credits in biology with BIO 327 as a prerequisite.