Department of Biology
Curriculum


       The biology curricula enable students to build a knowledge base about their physical and biological universe; foster an attitude of inquiry; and develop a functional understanding of the process of science, the interrelatedness of the various scientific disciplines, and the interactions of science, society, and technology. The biology curricula also provide opportunities for students to develop a variety of laboratory, field, and technical skills vital to success in the pursuit of knowledge in biology. In addition to the above goals, the biology 9-12 teaching field complies with and endorses the conceptual framework of the Shepherd University Teacher Education Program and strives to produce teachers who are capable reflective problem solvers.


Biology Curriculum Programs
Major in Biology
Major in Biology: Ecological Science Concentration
Minor in Biology: Traditional Track
Minor in Biology: Molecular Track
Biology Teaching Field Grades 9-12


Curriculum for a Major in Biology
Specific general studies requirements:
Course ID Course Name Credit Hours
CHEM 207, 207L General Chemistry and Lab4
CHEM 209, 209L General Chemistry and Lab4
MATH 205 Calculus with Applications OR4
MATH 314 Statistics3-4
NOTE: The prerequisite for MATH 205 is competence equivalent to successful completion of MATH 108 and the prerequisite for MATH 314 is competence equivalent to successful completion of MATH 105.
Total hours required:
Required Biology Courses: 		46-49 Credits
30-33 Credits
Course ID Course Name Credit Hours
BIOL 208 Plants as Organisms 4
BIOL 209 Animals as Organisms 4
BIOL 305 Cell Biology 4
BIOL 394 Principles of Biological Research 4
BIOL 344 Genetics 4
BIOL 406 Developmental Biology 4
BIOL 420 General Ecology 4
BIOL 415 Biological Research OR
BIOL 425 Internship in Biology 3-6
Elective Biology courses:
Any courses numbered BIOL 302 through BIOL 450 except BIOL 350
Required related courses: 		8 Credits

8 Credits
Course ID Course Name Credit Hours
PHYS 201, 201L College Physics and Lab AND
PHYS 202, 202L College Physics and Lab OR8
PHYS 221, 221L General Physics and Lab AND
PHYS 222, 222L General Physics and Lab8


Curriculum for a Major in Biology: Ecological Science Concentration
Total hours required:
General studies (other than science and mathematics):
Science core: 		128-130 Credits
36 Credits
45-46 Credits
Course ID Course Name Credit Hours
BIOL 208 Plants as Organisms 4
BIOL 209, 209L Animals as Organisms and Lab 4
CHEM 207, 207L General Chemistry and Lab 4
CHEM 209, 209L General Chemistry and Lab 4
CHEM 325 Computers in Science 3
PHYS 201, 201L College Physics and Lab AND  
PHYS 202, 202L College Physics and Lab 8
MATH 205 Calculus with Applications OR 4
MATH 314 Statistics 3
ENVS 342 Limnology 4
BIOL 301 Evolution and Lab 4
BIOL 394 Principles of Biological Research 3
BIOL 420 General Ecology 4
Choose one of the following courses:
 		4 Credits
Course ID Course Name Credit Hours
BIOL 332 Comparative Anatomy 4
BIOL 406 Developmental Biology 4
BIOL 412 Comparative Animal Physiology 4
Choose two of the following courses:
 		6-8 Credits
Course ID Course Name Credit Hours
BIOL 315 Advanced Plant Biology 3
BIOL 324 Plant Taxonomy I AND 2
BIOL 325 Plant Taxonomy II 1
ENVS 422 Stream Ecology 4
Choose three of the following courses:
 		11-12 Credits
Course ID Course Name Credit Hours
BIOL 313 Invertebrate Natural History 4
ENVS 343 Aquatic Entomology 4
ENVS 344 Ichthyology 4
BIOL 411 Animal Behavior 3
Additional upper division electives*:
 		26-28 Credits
BIOL any 300 or above except BIOL 350:
 		8 Credits
CHEM 300 or above:
 		8 Credits
Electives:
 		10-12 Credits
*Students considering pursing advanced degrees should consider taking the following courses as electives: BIOL 305, 344, 394; CHEM 315, 315L, 316, 316L, 329, 330.


Curriculum for a Minor in Biology: Option I. Traditional Track
Specific general studies requirements:
Course ID Course Name Credit Hours
CHEM 207, 207L General Chemistry and Lab4
CHEM 209, 209L General Chemistry and Lab4
Total hours required:
Required biology courses: 		24 Credits
20 Credits
Course ID Course Name Credit Hours
BIOL 208 Plants as Organisms 4
BIOL 209 Animals as Organisms 4
BIOL 305 Cell Biology 4
Any two of the following:
Course ID Course Name Credit Hours
BIOL 344 Genetics 4
BIOL 406 Developmental Biology 4
BIOL 420 General Ecology 4
Elective biology courses: 4 Credits
Course ID Course Name Credit Hours
BIOL 302 Microbiology4
BIOL 310 Plant Pathology3
BIOL 313 Invertebrate Natural History4
BIOL 324 Plant Taxonomy I Fall Flora2
BIOL 325 Plant Taxonomy II Spring Flora1
BIOL 332 Comparative Anatomy4
BIOL 344 Genetics 4
BIOL 404 Immunology4
BIOL 406 Developmental Biology4
BIOL 410 Plant Physiology3
BIOL 412 Animal Physiology3
BIOL 416 Molecular Biology4
BIOL 418 Virology4
BIOL 420 General Ecology4


Curriculum for a Minor in Biology: Option II. Molecular Track
Specific general studies requirements:
Course ID Course Name Credit Hours
CHEM 207, 207L General Chemistry and Lab4
CHEM 209, 209L General Chemistry and Lab4
Required biology courses: 27 Credits
Course ID Course Name Credit Hours
BIOL 208 Plants as Organisms 4
BIOL 209 Animals as Organisms 4
BIOL 305 Cell Biology 4
BIOL 302 Microbiology4
BIOL 344 Genetics4
BIOL 394 Principles of Biological Research4
BIOL 404 Immunology OR
BIOL 416 Molecular Biology OR
BIOL 418 Virology4
NOTE: For the minor, the student must also take any 3 credit hour mathematics course numbered MATH 108 or above, other than MATH 111 or MATH 101.


Curriculum for Biology Teaching Field Grades 9-12
Specific general studies requirements:
Course ID Course Name Credit Hours
CHEM 207, 207L General Chemistry and Lab4
CHEM 209, 209L General Chemistry and Lab4
MATH 205 Calculus with Applications4
Total hours required:
Required courses:
A. Interdisciplinary Core 		48 Credits

23 Credits
Course ID Course Name Credit Hours
BIOL 208 Plants as Organisms 4
BIOL 209 Animals as Organisms 4
GSCI 301 Geology4
PHYS 201 College Physics I4
PHYS 202 College Physics II4
MATH 314 Statistics3
B.Biology 9-12 Specialization 25 Credits
Course ID Course Name Credit Hours
BIOL 225 Human Anatomy and Physiology3
BIOL 226 Human Anatomy and Physiology3
BIOL 302 Microbiology4
BIOL 305 Cell Biology4
BIOL 344 Genetics4
BIOL 394 Principles of Biological Research4
BIOL 420 General Ecology4
Note Concerning Math Requirement: The prerequisite for MATH 205 is mathematical competence equivalent to the successful completion of MATH 108 Precalculus. Other Requirements: Although one may declare secondary education with a specialization in biology 9-12 as a major upon admission to the University, to be officially admitted to the Shepherd University Teacher Education Program and pursue this teaching field, the student must meet the following criteria as well as those criteria that apply to all teaching specializations:
  1. The student must have completed BIOL 208 Plants as Organisms, BIOL 209 Animals as Organisms, CHEM 207 and 209 General Chemistry, CHEM 207L and 209L General Chemistry Lab, or their equivalents with a grade of C or better in each course.
  2. The student must have completed a minimum of 32 semester hours of academic work at Shepherd University with an overall GPA of at least 2.5 and a GPA of at least 2.5 in this specialization.
       See professional education course listings under Education: Professional Studies Core for Secondary Education (30 hours required). Special Methods of Teaching Sciences is EDUC 423. Retention in and completion of this program requires the student to meet retention, admission to student teaching, and certification standards set by the Professional Education Unit Council. All of the standards for this program can be found in Information and Planning Handbook for Students Pursuing the Biology 9-12, Chemistry 9-12, or General Science 5-12 Specializations.

Contact Person: Dr. Jason Best, Byrd Science Center Rm. 115, 304-876-5331 or JBest@Shepherd.edu