Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology
The biological sciences include a wide range of disciplines that address the processes of life, all living organisms, their environments, and the actions and interactions of all living things. Biology has a rich history and an exciting future as it impacts ecology and the environment, medicine, biotechnology, and many other aspects of modern life. The Biology Program at West Georgia consists of men and women who are nationally and internationally recognized for their research accomplishments and excellence in teaching. The faculty enjoy interacting with students and teaching and, at the same time, offer opportunities for students to conduct cutting-edge research. The program offers professional preparation tracks to prepare students for further advanced study in medical, dental, veterinary, or physical therapy fields as well as programs to prepare students either for graduate work in a wide variety of biological sciences or for employment. In addition, the department has developed a focused track for persons who wish to pursue teaching at the secondary level. The biology curriculum offers diverse and integrated studies emphasizing the development of biological literacy and the fostering of student-faculty interaction in the classroom and in individual research projects.
For more information, please see the Academic Catalog. A program map, which provides a guide for students to plan their course of study, is available for download in the Courses tab below.
The general track for the B.S. degree in Biology at West Georgia is the appropriate one for any student who plans to pursue a graduate degree in any area of the biological sciences or for students who plan to seek employment in industry, government, or environmental laboratories. There is a great deal of flexibility in the choice of courses in biology, allowing students, with the guidance of their advisors, to develop a degree with a focus in various areas of biology, including cell and molecular biology, ecology and environmental biology, microbiology, physiology, immunology, marine and freshwater biology, just to name a few. Students are encouraged to contact the Biology Office for assistance in selecting the advisor best qualified to help each individual student with his or her particular interests and goals.
Career Opportunities
Link to Additional Career Information:
https://www.buzzfile.com/Major/Biology
External Resource
Program Location
Carrollton Campus
Method of Delivery
Face to Face
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 120
This program may be earned entirely face-to-face. However, depending on the courses chosen, a student may choose to take some partially or fully online courses.
Save money
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited universities of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, he/she will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
Downloads
General
An introduction in basic biological phenomena. Emphasis will be placed on humans and processes within the human biology. Topics include: biological molecules, cells, organ systems, genetics, biological diversity, and the interaction of man with his environment.
Laboratory component of BIOL 1010.
This course is the first of a two-part sequence for nursing and non-biology science majors. Topics include biomolecules, cell structure and function, energy metabolism, photosynthesis, cell reproduction, and genetics.
This is the laboratory component for the lecture course, BIOL 2017.
Major Required
This course is an Introductory foundation-building course for Biology majors. It is designed to familiarize students with the distinguishing characteristics, taxonomy, evolutionary relationships, and economic importance of all domains of life. For Biology majors only. Does not fulfill core requirements.
This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to investigate areas of current interest in biology through the examination of primary biological literature and to develop (or further refine) oral presentation skills.
First course in a two-semester sequence covering the fundamental principles and applications of chemistry for science majors. Topics to be covered include composition of matter, stoichiometry, periodic relations, and nomenclature. Laboratory exercises supplement the lecture material.
Second course in a two-semester sequence covering the fundamental principles and applications of chemistry for science majors. Laboratory exercises supplement the lecture material.
The first course of a two semester sequence which provides a broad introduction to the basic principles, theories and applications of the chemistry of carbon compounds. Topics will include modern structural theory, organic nomenclature, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms and kinetics, and an introduction to functional group chemistry. Also covers the interpretation of IR, NMR, and mass spectroscopy for the structure determination of organic compounds. CHEM 2411L may be taken concurrently.
Emphasis of this laboratory will be on fundamental techniques and will provide experience with purification, physical and spectroscopic characterization and synthesis of organic substances.
This course is designed to prepare students for calculus, physics, and related technical subjects. Topics include an intensive study of algebraic and transcendental functions accompanied by analytic geometry and trigonometry.Students cannot receive credit for MATH 1112 and MATH 1113.
Major Selects
Requirements for the Major
Ecology/Evolutionary Biology Requirement1 (3-4 hours)
Procaryotic Biology Requirement1 (3-4 hours)
Organismal Biology Requirement1 (3-4 hours)
Physiological Biology Requirement1 (3-4 hours)
Cell and Molecular Biology Requirement1 (3-4 hours)
Chemistry Requirement1 (3-4)
BIOL 4984 (1 hour)
Upper Division Biology Electives (0-20 hours)
Upper Division Electives (0-18 hours)
Free Electives (0-15 hours)
1Sub-Discipline Requirements
Organismal Biology:
BIOL 3221, 3223, 3226, 3231, 3232, 4241, 4242, 4245, 4441
Procaryotic Biology: BIOL 3310
Ecology/Evolutionary Biology: BIOL 3135, 3235
Physiological Biology: BIOL 3513, 4539
Cell an Molecular Biology: BIOL 3134
Chemistry: BIOL 4503; CHEM 3310/3310L, 3422/3422L, 4711
This course deals with the molecular aspects of cell structure and function,, emphasizing the chemical and molecular basis of cellular physiology. It also addresses genetic functions at the chromosomal and molecular levels, gene expression, and regulation.
This course is designed to familiarize Biology majors with the factors controlling the structure and function of populations, communities, and ecosystems. The role of evolutionary processes in the structure and function of these systems will also be explored. Basic concepts will be synthesized and reinforced by investigating the dynamics of the aquatic life zones and terrestrial biomes on earth.
Taxonomy of flowering plants and ferns is designed to familiarize students with the important botanical features and methods used to identify vascular plant species. Emphasis will be placed on recognizing the distinguishing characteristics, taxonomic relationships, and ecological distribution of plant families common to Northwest Georgia.
Designed to familiarize students with four basic areas of plant biology: diversity, anatomy, physiology and ecology. Ferns, fern allies, gymnosperms, and angiosperms will be compared and contrasted through lecture and lab-based exercises.
Vertebrate natural history is studied in lecture, lab, and field. The taxonomy, phylogeny, identification, and general aspects of the behavior and ecology of freshwater fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals of the Southeast are studied. Local species are emphasized.
A lab oriented (dissection) course in the organogenesis and gross morphology of animal structure with an emphasis on functional and evolutionary modifications. Gross dissection and techniques used in morphology.
Microbiology is one of the largest and oldest subdisciplines within the biological sciences. It has a rich history and continues to impact many aspects of modern life. This course will introduce students to the diversity of microbial life and to the roles of microorganisms in infectious diseases, environmental processes, and biotechnology with a special emphasis on bacteria and viruses. Experiential learning opportunities will give students exposure to a myriad of techniques commonly used in medical microbiology, environmental microbiology, and research.
A survey of the mechanisms involved in the function of the human body. Study is approached from the organ system level to address muscular, neural, hormonal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, renal, and reproductive functions. Correlation will be made to the similarity between the demands placed on living systems regardless of whether the organism is multicellular or a single cell.
The study of insects. This course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of insect taxonomy, morphology, physiology, behavior, and evolution. The relationships between insects and humans, other animals, and plants will be examined. The influences of insects on culture, religion, art, history, and colonization will be discussed. The laboratory will be devoted primarily to developing an understanding of insect identification.
This course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of taxonomy, morphology, physiology, and evolution of the more common invertebrate phyla. The distribution and interspecific relationships among invertebrates and other forms of life will be presented and discussed. The laboratory will be devoted primarily to developing an understanding of invertebrate morphology and classification.
The biology, systematics and taxonomy of fishes with an emphasis on the biodiversity/biogeography of fishes in the state of Georgia.
This course explores the general themes and important questions in animal behavior. We will cover subjects that examine how and why animals interact with each other and their environment. Topics include: animal communication, habitat selection, foraging, predator-prey dynamics, sexual selection, mating systems, behavioral development, and learning, among others.
This course is designed to study the interactions of biochemical pathways and the control systems that function to regulate cell and whole body metabolism. This course emphasizes the regulation of biochemical pathways as opposed to the mechanisms involved in each enzymatic step within a given pathway.
This course is designed to study the similarities and differences in how various animals have solved a wide variety of physiological problems imposed by the natural world in which they exist. The student will investigate the functions of the different organ systems in invertebrates and vertebrates. The main goal of this class is to focus on the observation of how problems in nature are solved by various organisms. A complete understanding of the physiology of the human is an absolute prerequisite for this course as this will be the point of reference for most discussions.
This course emphasizes skills needed for a student to function as a professional analytical chemist. The student will be firmly grounded in the areas of gravimetric and volumetric analysis, equilibria, quantitative spectroscopy, electrochemistry and chromatography. Special emphases will be placed on writing skills.
The second course will systematically explore reactions of carbon-containing compounds and the mechanistic pathways involved in these processes. Reactions that will be discussed include functional group transformations, oxidation, reductions, cyclo-additions and carbon-carbon bond formation. The course begins to teach the student how to systematically design a multi-step synthesis of complex organic compounds. CHEM 3422L may be taken concurrently.
Emphasis of this laboratory will be on synthesis and characterization of organic substances will be included.
The first of two semester sequence in biochemistry covering the general physical and chemical properties of biomolecules and the metabolism. Topics will include biomolecular structure and function, first-order enzyme kinetics, glycolysis and carbohydrate metabolism, Kreb's cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid catabolism and biosynthesis, metabolism and utilization of amino acids, biologically important amines and regulation of metabolism.
No faculty members listed
Guidelines for Admittance
Each UWG online degree program has specific requirements that you must meet in order to enroll.
- Complete online application. A one-time application fee of $40 is required.
- Official transcripts from all schools attended. Official transcripts are sent from a regionally or nationally accredited institution.
- Verify specific requirements associated with specific populations identified here: Freshman Adult Learners Transfer International Home School Joint / Dual Enrollment Transient Auditor Post-Baccalaureate Non-Degree Seeking Readmission
Application Deadlines
Specific dates for admissions (Undergraduates Only), go to: UWG Admission Deadlines
Admission Process Checklist
- Review Undergraduate and Graduate admissions requirements and guides for specific populations (non-traditional, transfer, transient, home school, joint enrollment students, etc).
- Review important deadlines:
- Fall semester: June 1 (undergrads)
- Spring semester: November 15 (undergrads)
- Summer semester: May 15 (undergrads)
See program specific calendars here
- Complete online application
Undergraduate Admissions Guide
Undergraduate Application
Undergraduate International Application - Submit $40 non-refundable application fee
- Submit official documents
Request all official transcripts and test scores be sent directly to UWG from all colleges or universities attended. If a transcript is mailed to you, it cannot be treated as official if it has been opened. Save time by requesting transcripts be sent electronically.
Undergraduate & Graduate Applicants should send all official transcripts to:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Murphy Building
University of West Georgia
1601 Maple Street
Carrollton, GA 30118-4160 - Submit a Certificate of Immunization, if required. If you will not ever be traveling to a UWG campus or site, you may apply for an Immunization Exemption. Contact the Immunization Clerk with your request.
- Check the status of your application
Contact
Specific dates for admissions (Undergraduates Only), go to: UWG Admission Deadlines
- To develop a strong diversified background in modern biology appropriate to the individual student goals. The anticipated outcome will be a student with an appreciation for the areas of modern biology and the inter-relatedness of these areas.
- To develop critical-thinking and problem based learning skills. The anticipated outcome will be a student with the ability to develop new ideas, to explore new areas of science or other academic endeavors, to design, implement, and evaluate scientific investigations, and to assess, interpret and understand data and its meaning.
- To develop the ability to communicate scientific ideas in both written and oral formats. The anticipated outcome will be a student who can organize and present his or her scientific ideas in both written and oral formats.
- To educate the students in the areas of data generation and interpretation. The anticipated outcome will be a student who is capable of critically evaluating information so that it is useful for addressing questions in science.