College of Science and Technology

Department of Biology

Department of Chemistry

Department of Computer Science

Department of Geography

Department of Geology

Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology

Department of Mathematics

Department 
of Physics

Undergraduate Programs of Study

Biology (BIO) (MAR)

For information, please contact 
the Chairperson, 774-3227, 217 Brooks Hall

College of Science and Technology Website
Department Website

Why Study Biology?
Biology at CMU
Notes
Majors and Minors
Biology Major - B.A., B.S.
   Pregraduate/Preprofessional Options
   Microscopy
   Natural Resources Option
   General Option
Biology/Medical Technology Major
NOTE:  CMU is not presently accepting new students to the Medical Technology program.
Neuroscience Major
Biology Minor - B.A., B.A.A., B.S.
Natural Resources Minor
Science Minor
Teaching Majors and Minors - Elementary
Teaching Majors and Minors - Secondary
Biology Major - B.S. in Ed., Elementary
Integrated Science Major
Biology Minor - B.S. in Ed., Elementary
Biology Major - B.S. in Ed., Secondary
Biology Minor - B.S. in Ed., Secondary
The Faculty
BIO Course Descriptions
MAR Course Descriptions

Why Study Biology?
Biology is the science of life. Humans share life on Earth with up to 30 million other living forms, all of which belong to one complex and fragile ecosystem. The study of biology prepares the student to understand this complex ecosystem and our interactions with it. Biology is for those who are curious about living things and wish to learn scientific methods for observing and evaluating life processes. The student may eventually be involved in social and political decisions requiring biological understanding, as well as furthering scientific knowledge through occupations dealing with biological research, natural resource management, agriculture, human health, education and other endeavors. Undergraduate training in biology is good preparation for advanced study in subdisciplines of biology such as medicine, environmental science, physiology, microbiology, molecular biology, aquatic biology, conservation biology, ecology, animal behavior, and other areas of zoology and botany.
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Biology at CMU
The Department of Biology at CMU offers programs which provide undergraduate students with a core of instruction, followed by an opportunity to study in a more specialized area of biology. In addition to recently upgraded state-of-the-art laboratories, the Department of Biology operates excellent field and laboratory facilities at the CMU Biological Station located on Beaver Island in northern Lake Michigan and a nature center in Neithercut Woodland in Farwell, Michigan. The department offers service courses in introductory and human biology, nature study, and conservation of natural resources for non-science students. The major and minor in biology can be applied to a variety of programs designed to serve career interests of students in elementary and secondary teaching, natural resources, medical technology, pre-medicine, pre-osteopathy, and pre-veterinary, as well as a program to prepare students for graduate studies in the biological sciences. Graduate programs include a Master of Science (M.S.) degree emphasizing thesis research or a non-thesis degree in biology for teachers. Requirements for the graduate programs are detailed in the Bulletin, College of Graduate Studies.
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Notes:

• It is essential that students interested in biology talk with a member of the Department of Biology during the first year at CMU. Courses must be selected in consultation with and approved by a departmental advisor. Students may make individual arrangements with instructors for honors work. Generally, the biology degree programs require extensive laboratory experiences in which the students use specialized equipment (including microscopes), chemicals and glassware. Students are also required to work with cultures of microorganisms and to maintain aseptic conditions. The required field experiences will introduce the student to a variety of habitats, including woodlots, fields, streams, lakes and marshes.
   
• Natural Science minors, science minors, and science majors are directed to the Bulletin section on Interdepartmental Majors and Minors.
   
• Biology credit earned on a Credit/No Credit basis does not apply on majors and minors authorized by the Department of Biology.
   
• Courses requiring field trips will have expenses prorated among class members.
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Majors and Minors

Biology Major
B.A., B.S. degrees

The Biology Department requires the following common core of courses for all biology majors (19 hours):
BIO 101 (3) General Biology
  OR BIO 105 (3) Introductory Quantitative Biology
BIO 203 (3) General Botany
BIO 208 (3) Microbiology
BIO 218 (3) General Zoology
BIO 340 (3) Ecology
BIO 326 (4) Genetics
Biology majors (except those on education programs or Medical Technology) must elect one of the four options below to supplement this common core of courses.

Pregraduate/Preprofessional option is for students who plan to enter a graduate or professional school after graduation from CMU. Students selecting this option are required to take the following courses (7 hours) in addition to the required core courses:
BIO 324 (3) Cell Biology
BIO 391 (4) Plant Physiology
  OR BIO 392 (4) Mammalian Physiology

Biology electives: (16 hours) to be selected in consultation with a biology advisor. BIO 403 is recommended as an elective course.

Required Biology hours: 42

Additional requirements: 31-33 hours

1. CHM 131 and 132; OR CHM 161 and 211 (8-9 hours)
    
2. CHM 345, 346, and 349 (8 hours)
    
3. PHY 130 and 131 (8 hours)
    
4. MTH 132 OR MTH 136 (4-5 hours)
    
5. BIO 500 OR STA 382 (3 hours) (If BIO 500 is elected, it may count toward the 38 hours required in BIO.)

Recommend: CHM 425, MTH 133, and CPS 110 OR 150

Total hours required for the Biology Major, Pregraduate/Preprofessional option: 73-75

Microscopy Option is for students who plan a career as a biological microscopist. Research laboratories, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, chemical companies, food processing laboratories, and forensic laboratories are areas in which opportunities exist for microscopists. Students selecting this option are required to take the following courses (20-21 hours) in addition to the required core courses:
BIO 324 (3) Cell Biology
BIO 330 (2) Light Microscopy
BIO 403 (3 or 4) Undergraduate Research
BIO 550 (4) Transmission Electron Microscope Technique
BIO 552 (4) Scanning Electron Microscope Technique
BIO 553 (4) Confocal Microscopy

Biology electives: (2-3 hours) to be selected in consultation with advisor.

Required Biology hours: 42

Additional requirements:  25-29 hours

1. CHM 131 and 132 (8 hours) OR CHM 161 (5 hours)
    
2. CHM 345, 346, and 349 (8 hours) OR CHM 342 and CHM 421 (7 hours)
    
3. PHY 130, 131, 170, and 171 (10 hours) OR PHY 145, 146, 175, and 176 (10 hours)
    
4. MTH 106 or higher (3 hours)

A chemistry minor is suggested.

Total hours required for the Biology Major, Microscopy Option:  67-71

Natural Resources option is for students who plan to enter an area of natural resource management, wildlife biology, nature interpretation, or museum science. Students selecting this option are required to take the following courses (7 hours) in addition to the required core courses:
BIO 240 (3) Conservation of Natural Resources
BIO 391 (4) Plant Physiology
  OR BIO 392 (4) Mammalian Physiology

Biology electives: (16 hours) to be selected in consultation with a biology advisor. It is recommended that at least one class be taken at the CMU Biological Station on Beaver Island or another field station.

Required Biology hours: 42

Additional requirements: 14-16 hours

1. CHM 131 and 132, OR CHM 161 and 211, OR CHM 120, 127, and 342 (8-9 hours)
    
2. PHS 101 OR PHY 130 (3-4 hours)
    
3. BIO 500 OR STA 382 (3 hours) (If BIO 500 is elected, it may count toward the 38 hours required in BIO).

Total hours required for the Biology Major, Natural Resources option: 56-58

General option is for students who do not plan to attend a professional graduate school upon graduation and are not planning to enter a field associated with natural resources. This option provides flexibility in the choice of electives. Students selecting this option are required to take the core courses (19 hours) and 23 hours of elective biology courses.

Biology electives: (23 hours) to be selected in consultation with a biology advisor.

Required Biology hours: 42

Additional requirements: 11-13 hours

1. CHM 131 and 132, OR CHM 161 and 211, OR CHM 120, 127, and 342 (8-9 hours)
    
2. PHS 101 OR PHY 130 (3-4 hours)

Total hours required for the Biology Major, General Option: 53-55
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Biology/Medical Technology Major
B.S. degree

NOTE:  CMU is not presently accepting new students to the Medical Technology program.

The Biology/Medical Technology major provides a student with a background required for the clinical experience at an accredited hospital school of medical technology. Upon successful completion of the four-year program at CMU, a student will be awarded a B.S. degree, Major: Biology/Medical Technology. In addition, a one-year clinical experience will be required prior to being eligible to apply for certification as a Medical Technologist. CMU is affiliated with a number of schools of medical technology. (A current list is available from the Medical Technology Advisor). Arrangements for the clinical experience at other accredited schools is possible. The student, with the assistance of the Medical Technology advisor, is responsible for making arrangements for the clinical experience.

A chemistry minor for the Biology/Medical Technology Major is required. (Consult the Chemistry section of the Bulletin for courses). Biology/Medical Technology majors are required to take the following Biology courses:

BIO 101 (3) General Biology
  OR BIO 105 (3) Introductory Quantitative Biology
BIO 208 (3) Microbiology
BIO 218 (3) General Zoology
BIO 326 (4) Genetics
BIO 337 (4) Comparative Anatomy
BIO 392 (4) Mammalian Physiology
BIO 500 (3) Biological Statistics
BIO 537 (4) Immunology
BIO 543 (3) Medical Parasitology
BIO 577 (3) Hematology and Immunohematology
BIO 580 (4) Medical Microbiology

In addition, CPS 110 (3) OR 3 credits of CPS 106, 107, 108, OR 109; MTH 132 (4), plus 10 hours of either PHY 130 (4), 131 (4), 170 (1), and 171 (1) OR PHY 145 (4), 146 (4), 175 (1), and 176 (1).

Total hours required for the Biology/Medical Technology Major: 55
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Neuroscience Major
B.S. degree

This is an interdisciplinary major. Please check the Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors section.
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Biology Minor
B.A., B.A.A., B.S. degrees

Biology minors are required to take the following courses:
BIO 101 (3) General Biology
  OR BIO 105 (3) Introductory Quantitative Biology
BIO 203 (3) General Botany
BIO 208 (3) Microbiology
BIO 218 (3) General Zoology
BIO 326 (4) Genetics
BIO 340 (3) Ecology
Five hours of additional biology courses to be selected in consultation with an advisor.

Total hours required for the Biology Minor: 24
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Natural Resources Minor
B.A., B.A.A., B.S., B.S. in B.A.

This is an interdisciplinary major. Please check the Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors section.
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Science Minor
B.A., B.S., B.S. in B.A. degree

This minor satisfies the science requirement for the Dietetics major and is administered by the Department of Biology.

Required Courses (18-22 hours)
BIO 208 (3) Microbiology
BIO 392 (4) Mammalian Physiology
CHM 120 (4) Survey of Chemistry 
OR CHM 131 (4) Introduction to Chemistry I 
AND CHM 132 (4) Introduction to Chemistry II
CHM 342 (4) Survey of Organic Chemistry*
CHM 421 (3) Survey of Biochemistry**

Electives (2-6 hours)
To be selected from BIO or CHM to complete 24 hours.

* A student opting to take CHM 345 and CHM 346 instead of CHM 342 should have the equivalent of CHM 132 as a prerequisite.
** A student with CHM 345 and CHM 346 may elect CHM 521 and CHM 522 instead of CHM 421.

Total: 24 semester hours
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Teaching Majors and Minors:
Elementary Provisional Certification

Biology majors and minors on the B.S. in Ed, Elementary Provisional Certification are required to complete, with at least a 2.7 grade point average, 75% of the biology credit hours prior to approval for student teaching. At least 6 hours of the biology requirements must be taken at CMU. A C+ is required for all teaching courses.

Biology Major
B.S. in Ed. degree, Elementary Provisional Certification

BIO 101 (3) General Biology
  OR BIO 105 (3) Introductory Quantitative Biology
BIO 203 (3) General Botany
BIO 208 (3) Microbiology
BIO 218 (3) General Zoology
BIO 229 (3) Nature Study
BIO 326 (4) Genetics
BIO 340 (3) Ecology
BIO 351 (3) Biological Science for Elementary Teachers
BIO 391 (4) Plant Physiology
  OR BIO 392 (4) Mammalian Physiology

Six hours of additional biology courses including one course in botany and one course in zoology selected in consultation with an advisor to total 35 hours of biology credit. In addition, one semester of college chemistry is required for the biology major.

Total hours required for the Biology Major: 38-39
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Integrated Science Major
B.S. in Ed. degree, Elementary Provisional Certification

This is an interdisciplinary major. Please check the Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors section.
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Biology Minor
B.S. in Ed. degree, Elementary Provisional Certification or  Elementary Provisional Certification with Emotional or Cognitive Impairment Endorsement

BIO 101 (3) General Biology
  OR BIO 105 (3) Introductory Quantitative Biology
BIO 203 (3) General Botany
BIO 208 (3) Microbiology
BIO 218 (3) General Zoology
BIO 229 (3) Nature Study
BIO 351 (3) Biological Science for Elementary Teachers

Additional biology courses selected in consultation with an advisor to total 20 or more hours of biology credit.

Total hours required for the Biology Minor: 20

Secondary Provisional Certification
Biology majors and minors on the B.S. in Ed., Secondary Provisional Certification are required to complete, with at least a 2.7 grade point average, 26 or more hours of biology, including BIO 502, prior to approval for student teaching. At least 6 hours of the biology requirements must be taken at CMU.
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Biology Major
B.S. in Ed. degree, Secondary Provisional Certification or Secondary Provisional Certification with Emotional or Cognitive Impairment Endorsement

BIO 101 (3) General Biology
  OR BIO 105 (3) Introductory Quantitative Biology
BIO 203 (3) General Botany
BIO 208 (3) Microbiology
BIO 218 (3) General Zoology
BIO 302 (2) Mid-tier Experience for Secondary Biology Teachers
BIO 326 (4) Genetics
BIO 340 (3) Ecology
BIO 391 (4) Plant Physiology
  OR BIO 392 (4) Mammalian Physiology
BIO 502 (3) Teaching Biology

Ten hours of additional biology courses including one course in botany and one course in zoology selected in consultation with an advisor to total 38 hours of biology credit.

Additional requirements are:

1. CHM 120; or CHM 131 and CHM 132; or CHM 161 and CHM 211.
    
2. CHM 342; or CHM 345 ,CHM 346 and CHM 349.
    
3. CHM 421 or CHM 425; or CHM 521 and CHM 522.
    
4. PHY 130 and PHY 131.
    
5. BIO 500 or STA 282. (If a student elects BIO 500, it may count towards the 38 hours required in biology.)

Total hours required for the Biology Major: 60-72
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Biology Minor
B.S. in Ed. degree, Secondary Provisional Certification or Secondary Provisional Certification with Emotional or Cognitive Impairment Endorsement

BIO 101 (3) General Biology
  OR BIO 105 (3) Introductory Quantitative Biology
BIO 203 (3) General Botany
BIO 208 (3) Microbiology
BIO 218 (3) General Zoology
BIO 326 (4) Genetics
BIO 340 (3) Ecology
BIO 391 (4) Plant Physiology
  OR BIO 392 (4) Mammalian Physiology
BIO 502 (3) Teaching Biology

Total hours required for the Biology Minor: 26
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The faculty: Elizabeth W. Alm, Robert E. Bailey, Daniel W. Benjamin (Manager, Biology Laboratories), Roy F. Burlington, Larry D. Caldwell, Greg Colores, Joanne Dannenhoffer, Claudia B. Douglass, Thomas M. Gehring, James C. Gillingham, Tracy Galarowicz, Michael J. Hamas, Phillip L. Hertzler, Jon Kelty, Donna K. King, Lawrence D. Koehler, Mark Lung, Fred M. McCorkle Jr., A. Scott McNaught, Charles E. Novitski, John I. Scheide, Jennifer Schisa, Nancy Seefelt, Gilbert D. Starks, Bradley J. Swanson, Douglas A. Valek, Daniel E. Wujek
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