Biology (BS) General, Non-Specialized
Summary
Students may elect to complete the general, non-specialized biology major or select one of the alternative specialized emphases.2023-2024
Bachelor of Science
67
120
Mankato
Program Requirements
Required General Education
Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-03
Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in MATH 112 or the equivalent; high school chemistry or "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 104.
Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-03
Prerequisites: ENG 101
Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-13
Major Common Core
Prerequisites: none
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, and MATH 112
Emphasis Common Core
Prerequisites: BIOL 105 and BIOL 106 or consent
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 211
Prerequisites: BIOL 105 and BIOL 106, BIOL 211
Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 201
Prerequisites: CHEM 202, "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202.
Emphasis Restricted Electives
Math Requirement - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s).
Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 112 with "C" (2.0) or better.
Goal Areas: GE-04
Prerequisites: Satisfy Math Placement Table in this section, or grade of P in MATH 098.
Goal Areas: GE-04
Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, MATH 115 or both MATH 112 and MATH 113 with "C" (2.0) or better.
Goal Areas: GE-04
Physics Requirement - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s).
Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-03
Prerequisites: Either MATH 112 and MATH 113, or MATH 115
Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-03
Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-03
Statistics Requirement - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s).
Prerequisites: MATH 110, STAT 154, Or any other mathematics course higher than MATH 110.
Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P.
Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-04
Physiology Requirement - Note: Choose ONLY ONE of the four following pairs of courses (6 to 9 credits total). Emphasis Restricted Electives plus Emphasis Unrestricted Electives must total at least 18 credits to fulfill the 40-credit major requirement.
Human Option
Prerequisites: none
Prerequisites: BIOL 220, CHEM 104 or CHEM 106 or CHEM 111 or CHEM 201
Plant Option
Prerequisites: BIOL 105 and BIOL 106 or consent
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 217, one semester organic chemistry recommended.
Microbiology Option
Prerequisites: One BIOL course and one semester of chemistry from among CHEM 104, CHEM 106, CHEM 111, or CHEM 201
Goal Areas: GE-03
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 270
Animal Option
Prerequisites: BIOL 105 and BIOL 106
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106 or consent
Emphasis Unrestricted Electives
Choose 9 - 12 Credit(s). Choose additional upper-division courses for a total of 40 credits in Biology. At least 7 elective credits must be from courses with a laboratory component.
Prerequisites: none
Emphasis General Electives
Recommended Support Courses - Choose 0 - 5 Credit(s).
Prerequisites: CHEM 322. CHEM 324 is strongly recommended.
Prerequisites: BIOL 106, CHEM 324. BIOL 106 or permission "C" (2.0) or higher in all prerequisites.
Prerequisites: Concurrent registration in CHEM 460 or completion of CHEM 460 with "C" or higher. CHEM 305 is highly recommended.
4-Year Plan
The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.
First Year
Fall - 15 Credits
Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-03
Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P.
Goal Areas: GE-04
General Education Course *
4 credits
General Education Course *
3 credits
Spring - 14 Credits
Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-1A
Prerequisites: none
Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 112 with "C" (2.0) or better.
Goal Areas: GE-04
General Education Course *
3 credits
Second Year
Fall - 16 Credits
Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-03
Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P.
Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-04
Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in MATH 112 or the equivalent; high school chemistry or "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 104.
Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-03
Prerequisites: BIOL 105 and BIOL 106 or consent
Spring - 17 Credits
Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 201
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, and MATH 112
Prerequisites: ENG 101
Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-13
Elective Course in Major *
4 credits
Third Year
Fall - 15 Credits
Prerequisites: CHEM 202, "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202.
Elective Course in Major *
4 credits
Elective Course in Major *
4 credits
Writing Intensive Course *
3 credits
Spring - 15 Credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 211
Prerequisites: BIOL 105 and BIOL 106, BIOL 211
Elective Course in Major *
3 credits
General Elective Course *
3 credits
General Elective Course *
3 credits
Fourth Year
Fall - 14 Credits
Elective Course in Major *
4 credits
Elective Course in Major *
3 credits
General Education Course *
3 credits
Diverse Cultures Course *
4 credits
Spring - 14 Credits
Elective Course in Major *
4 credits
Elective Course in Major *
3 credits
General Education Course *
4 credits
General Elective Course *
3 credits
Transfer Pathways
A Transfer Pathway is a partnership between the Minnesota community colleges and Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Pathway suggests a plan for students with a specific associate degree to complete the last two years for a designated bachelor’s degree.
Students who are transferring to Minnesota State Mankato from a Minnesota community college should meet with an advisor in your college advising office to ensure the Pathway is an appropriate option for completing your degree.
More information on Transfer Pathways is available at https://mnsu.edu/pathways/about/
Third Year
Fall - 15 Credits
Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 112 with "C" (2.0) or better.
Goal Areas: GE-04
Prerequisites: ENG 101
Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-13
Elective Course in Major *
4 credits
General Education Course *
4 credits
Spring - 17 Credits
Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-03
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 211
Elective Course in Major *
4 credits
Elective Course in Major *
4 credits
General Education Course *
4 credits
Fourth Year
Fall - 13 Credits
Prerequisites: CHEM 202, "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202.
Prerequisites: MATH 110, STAT 154, Or any other mathematics course higher than MATH 110.
Elective Course in Major *
3 credits
General Education Course *
3 credits
Spring - 15 Credits