B.S. in Biology

Graduation Requirements for the Degree

College of Arts and Sciences

+Elective (8-9 credit hours of science courses 200-level or above)

Students wanting to go to graduate school for biological sciences, in addition to the above, may need to take the following, so faculty advisor will advise majors appropriately:

• CHEM 2504 Organic Chemistry I
• CHEM 2514 Organic Chemistry II
• PHYS 2044 General Physics I
• PHYS 2054 General Physics II
• MATH 2504 Calculus I

Depending on various graduate programs, students may need to take other specific courses and faculty advisors will help students make appropriate decisions.

The following courses required:

General Biology I would encompass scientific philosophy and methodology, chemistry and biochemistry, cell biology and genetics.  Both semesters include laboratory.

General Biology II would encompass evolution, taxonomy and diversity, basic plant anatomy and physiology, basic animal anatomy and physiology, and ecology. Both semesters include laboratory.

An introductory seminar for biology majors dealing with the use of library, methods and goals of research, and vocational options for the biologist. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission. P/NC. May be taught concurrently with CHEM 2001.

The phylogenetic relationships within the plant kingdom, and the comparative structure, function, development, and ecology of representative plants. Prerequisites: BIOL 1004 or BIOL 1103, or permission of the instructor. Includes laboratory. Lab fee required.

BIOL 2034 Zoology back to top

The phylogenetic relationships within the animal kingdom, and the comparative anatomy, physiology, development, and ecology of representative animals. Prerequisite: BIOL 1014 or 1103, or permission of instructor. Includes laboratory. Lab fee required.

BIOL 2074 Environmental Science back to top

Energetics, pollution, and resource management; the distribution of organisms; the ethics of man's influence on the environment. Prerequisite: BIOL 1004, 1103, or permission of instructor. Includes laboratory. Lab fee required.

BIOL 2254 Ecology back to top

Study of the relationships organisms have with each other and with their environments. Themes include populations, communities, ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation biology. Prerequisites: BIOL 1004 or 1103, or permission of instructor. An overnight trip is required. (An extra fee may be required.) Includes laboratory. Lab fee required.

A basic introduction to the study of birds including diversity, field identification, and song recognition for species common to South Carolina. Students will learn to identify resident birds using field marking, calls and behaviors. Class work will be supplemented by field trips to local birding hotspots which might require minimal cost. Students will spend considerable time in the field and maintain a log of observed species. (Offered in alternate spring semesters; course will begin in March.)

An exploration of basic principles of ecology and how they apply to the management and conservation of wildlife. Course lecture and student research material will be supplemented with lectures by representative from local natural resource agencies and through field trips, which might require minimal cost, to local wildlife management demonstration areas. Current trends in wildlife and conservation biology will be addressed through reviews of current research literature. (Offered in alternate spring semesters.)

Introduction to the structure, function, production, and reactions of antibodies, and a study of immunity in general. Prerequisites: BIOL 1004, CHEM 1004, 1054; or permission of instructor. Offered on demand.

An introduction to methods and techniques for studying populations and communities in their natural settings. Includes emphasis on the plants and animals of South Carolina. Prerequisites: BIOL 1004 or 1103 or permission of instructor. An overnight trip is required. (An extra fee may be required.) Includes laboratory. Lab fee required.

Study of common forms of bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi, and their relationship to plant and animal life and to public health. Bacteriological techniques are taught in the laboratory. Prerequisites: CHEM 1004, 1054; BIOL 1004; BIOL 1033 or 2034. Includes laboratory. Lab fee required.

A two-semester study of human structure and function as an integrated whole. Prerequisites: BIOL 1004, 2034. BIOL 3204, or instructor's permission, is a prerequisite for BIOL 3214. Includes laboratory. Lab fee required.

A two-semester study of human structure and function as an integrated whole. Prerequisites: BIOL 1004, 2034. BIOL 3204, or instructor's permission, is a prerequisite for BIOL 3214. Includes laboratory. Lab fee required.

A study of physiologically significant organic molecules. Prerequisites: BIOL 1004, CHEM 2504, or Medical Laboratory Technician or equivalent certification. Includes laboratory. Lab fee required.

Designed to investigate the physiological bases of animal behavior and the behavior of animals in response to their environment. PSYC 3303 is identical. Prerequisites: PSYC 2003; BIOL 1004, 1054, 1103, 2033 or 2034; ENGL 1013.

A study of the ethical dilemmas posed by human effect on the environment at large and those encountered in medical practice. Prerequisites: ENGL 1013, and permission of the instructor. Required philosophy course for biology, medical technology, pre-dentistry, and pre-medicine majors.

Designed to investigate the anatomical and physiological basis of human behavior, including the physiological bases of diss and disorders which affect human behavior. Prerequisites: PSYC 2003; BIOL 1004, 1054, 1103, 2033 or 2034. (May not be used to meet the physiology requirement in a biology major.)

An introduction to structure and function of cells and tissues, and the techniques for studying them, with emphasis on animal material. Prerequisites: BIOL 1004, 2034, CHEM 1004, and CHEM 1054, or permission of instructor. Includes laboratory. Lab fee required.

Mendelism; population genetics; the genetic code; protein synthesis; differentiation and control of gene action. Prerequisites: BIOL 1103 or 1004; ENGL 1013; proficiency in mathematics. Includes laboratory.

Despite its small size, South Carolina possesses a wide array of natural communities. This course will explore the natural history of South Carolina’s four physiographic provinces: Blue Ridge, Piedmont, Sandhills, and Coastal Plain. Emphasis will be on basic principles of ecology, field study techniques, identification of local flora and fauna, and general nature interpretation. The course will incorporate various outdoor laboratory investigations and field trips to a number of natural areas. Some of the field trips will involve overnight stays at minimal cost. Prerequisites: BIOL 1004 or 1103 or permission of instructor. Includes laboratory. Extra fee. (Offered during May term.)

A one-semester elective designed for Biology and Pre-med majors. Students will learn the principles governing embryonic development with a focus on mammalian development. We will explore how a single fertilized egg undergoes cell division, cell migration and differentiation to form the distinct tissue types and organs found in an adult organism. Required prerequisites: BIOL 1004 and 1014. Recommended prerequisites: BIOL 3254 or 3204/3214.

A comparative study of anatomical, physiological and biochemical adaptations of various animals. Prerequisites: ENGL 1013; competency in mathematics; BIOL 1004 and 2034; CHEM 1004 and 1054. Laboratory included. Lab fee required.

Study of philosophy of science, presenting scientific information in oral and written form, final science comprehensive oral examinations, administration of required final assessment instrument (Major Field Test, or equivalent). Prerequisites: Senior standing or permission of instructor. ENGL 1013 and BIOL 2001 or CHEM 2001.

Principles of inorganic chemistry as illustrated by important elements, compounds, and reactions. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: Mathematics competency. CHEM 1004 is a prerequisite for taking CHEM 1054 along with math competency.

Introduction to physical chemistry and qualitative analysis. Includes laboratory. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: Mathematics competency. CHEM 1004 is a prerequisite for taking CHEM 1054 along with math competency.

Study of the preparations and reactions of the various organic functional groups with emphasis upon the mechanisms of the reactions. Prerequisites: CHEM 1004, 1054 or permission of instructor, and mathematics competency. Includes laboratory. Lab fee required.

Study of the preparations and reactions of the various organic functional groups with emphasis upon the mechanisms of the reactions. Prerequisites: CHEM 1004, 1054 or permission of instructor, and mathematics competency. Includes laboratory. Lab fee required.

A three-semester study of calculus with the goal of enabling the student to understand and become skilled in the use and application of the following mathematical concepts: analytical geometry and trigonometry, limits, differentiation and integration of real valued singled and multiple variables, functions, and vectors. Concepts of calculus and mathematical modeling will be used to represent and solve real world-problems. Prerequisite: level of math proficiency as determined by math SAT/ACT scores; satisfactory completion of MATH 1023/4, MATH 1053, or MATH 1033; or permission of instructor; 2504 is prerequisite to 2514; 2514 to 3524.

An algebra-based physics course covering mechanics, thermodynamics, and waves including sound (first semester), and electricity and magnetism, optics, and "modern" physics (second semester). Prerequisite: Math competency. Lab included. Lab fee required.

An algebra-based physics course covering mechanics, thermodynamics, and waves including sound (first semester), and electricity and magnetism, optics, and "modern" physics (second semester). Prerequisite: Math competency. Lab included. Lab fee required.

A one-semester seminar class focusing on the skills associated with written scientific communication. Students learn how to interpret and critically analyze scientific research literature and how to write scientific papers. Designed for science majors but open to all students.

Although every effort has been made to make this page  accurate, the printed catalog is the official announcement of SWU academic requirements. Contact SWU admissions to obtain a catolog or view it  on-line.