Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology, General Track
The mission of the B.S. Degree in Biology at the University of West Georgia is to provide under-graduate students the knowledge and training necessary to pursue advanced graduate education, professional studies, or employment. In pursuit of this mission, the Biology Program offers a B.S. Degree Program via a general track, a professional preparation track or secondary education track.
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 is for students who plan to continue their education in graduate programs in the biological sciences or for those who wish to enter the biological sciences job market upon completion of the undergraduate degree. This track offers the greatest flexibility in selecting major courses, thus allowing students who wish to specialize in an area of biology to better prepare for graduate studies in that sub-discipline.
Career Opportunities
Link to Additional Career Information:
https://www.buzzfile.com/Major/Biology
External Resource
Program Location
Carrollton Campus
Method of Delivery
In-residence
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.
Coursework
Core Areas A, B, C, D, & E (42 hours)
MATH 1113 required under Area A
Either two semesters of Physics or Geology required under Area D
Core Area F
BIOL 2107/2107L Principles of Biology I and Lab (4 hours)
BIOL 2108/2108L Principles of Biology II and Lab (4 hours)
Electives (10 Hours)
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)
Supporting Courses for the Major
MATH 1113 Precalculus (if not in Area F)
CHEM 1211K Principles of Chemistry I (if not in Area F)
CHEM 1212K Principles of Chemistry II (if not in Area F)
CHEM 2411/2411L Organic Chemistry I and Lab (if not in Area F)
BIOL 1110 Biological Diversity (if not in Area F)
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
Downloads
General
Below is a listing of all the biology courses that can be taken to complete the general biology track.
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 is the first of a two semester course designed for biology majors requiring a survey of fundamental topics in modern biology. Lectures build on a foundation of chemistry to develop current concepts of cell and molecular biology, genetics, evolution, and biological diversity. This course satisfies a core requirement of the Biology Major, but does not fulfill any of the requirements for general education.
This is the laboratory component for the lecture course, BIOL 2017.
This is the second of a two semester course designed for biology majors requiring a survey of fundamental topics in modern biology. Lectures build on a foundation of chemistry to develop current concepts of the form and function of plants and animals and of ecology. This course satisfies a core requirement of the Biology major but does not fulfill any of the requirements for general education.
This is the laboratory component for the lecture course, BIOL 2108.
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.
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.
The principles and mechanisms of evolution in plants and animals, covering population phenomena, specification, sexual selection, life history strategies, behavior, adaption, systematics and biogeography.
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.
The biology, systematics and taxonomy of fishes with an emphasis on the biodiversity/biogeography of fishes in the state of Georgia.
This course examines the use of molecular genetic data to the understanding of ecological and evolutionary processes in the natural populations such as genetic diversity, dispersal, gene flow and phylogeography. This course will also examine how molecular genetic data is utilized to study behavioral mechanism such as mate selection and foraging. Application of molecular ecology principles to conversation will also be explored.
This course is designed to familiarize biology majors with the ecology and management of terrestrial wildlife habitats. Ecological concepts and principles relevant to wildlife habitat structure and function will be evaluated from the individual, population, community, ecosystem, and landscape levels of organization. Management practices that affect the structure and function of wildlife habitats will be evaluated for agricultural and forest ecosystems. Concepts will be synthesized and reinforced by investigating the habitat requirements for a variety of wildlife species in the southwestern United States.
This course provides an in-dept study of the processes controlling the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems. Basic concepts will be synthesized and applied comparing and contrasting the dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems in the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and Mountain Regions of the Southeastern United States.
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.
A course designed to allow students to conduct faculty-directed, independent research projects in areas of the biological sciences. The course may be repeated, but credit for BIOL 4983 may be applied toward biology degree requirements for a maximum of 4 credit hours.
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.
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 Admission Requirements for the different programs 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 (Undergraduate Only), Financial Aid, Fee Payment, Registration, Start/End of Term Dates, Final Exams, etc. are available in THE SCOOP.
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
- Students will use concepts, principles, and knowledge to demonstrate mastery in at least three of the following four subject areas: 1. cell biology; 2. molecular biology and genetics; 3. organismal biology; 4. population biology, evolution, and ecology.
- Students will use critical thinking skills or problem based learning skills to demonstrate mastery of the scientific method as it pertains to experimental design, data analysis, or interpretation of experimental data.
- Students will communicate scientific information through the acquisition, organization, or presentation of scientific information in written form.
- Students will communicate scientific information through the acquisition, organization, or presentation of scientific information in oral form.