2024-2025 LSUA Catalog
Biology, BS (with concentrations in agriculture, forensics, general biology, modern biology, organismal and field biology, pre-professional, pre-PT/OT, biology secondary education, and Zoo Science)
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Concentrations Available:
- Agriculture
- Forensics
- General Biology
- Modern Biology
- Organismal and Field Biology
- Pre-Professional
- Pre-PT/OT
- Biology Secondary Education
- Zoo Science
The Bachelor of Science in Biology offers nine concentrations designed to meet the needs of students with a variety of career goals. Students who are interested in careers in agriculture, particularly integrated pest management and crop consulting, should pursue the concentration in Agriculture. Students interested in forensics should pursue the concentration in Forensics and plan on going to graduate school. Students interested in a broad range of Biological topics or are unsure of a subdiscipline, should pursue the concentration in General Biology. Students interested in in modern trends in the Biological Sciences with a focus in cellular/molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, or bioengineering should pursue the concentration in Modern Biology. Students interested in invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, botany, entomology, or wildlife biology should pursue the concentration in Organismal and Field Biology. Students who intend to apply to professional schools, such as medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, or dentistry, should pursue the Pre-professional concentration. Students who intend to apply to professional schools in physical or occupational therapy should follow the Pre-PT/OT concentration. Students who would like to teach biology in the high school setting should pursue the concentration in Biology Secondary Education. Students interested in a career at at zoo, aquarium, nature preserve, or in captive animal care and mangement should persue the concentration in Zoo Science. Graduates with the B.S. in Biology are prepared to pursue employment or enter graduate or professional school programs.
Student Learning Outcomes
The Department of Biological Sciences has developed ten learning outcomes for students completing the Bachelor of Science in Biology. Students will be assessed as to the achievement of these outcomes throughout their program of study and will be required to compile an electronic portfolio demonstrating their mastery of these outcomes. This portfolio will also serve as a method for graduates to demonstrate their accomplishments to prospective employers, professional schools or graduate programs.
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Graduates will demonstrate understanding of the general principles of life.
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Graduates will demonstrate understanding of the chemical properties, structural organization, and functional characteristics of living organisms.
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Graduates will demonstrate understanding of the scientific method and be able to apply it to solve problems.
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Graduates will develop a behavior of questioning and analytical skills that lead to a life-long habit of learning.
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Graduates will demonstrate the potential to make use of their biological education when making decisions about environmental and political issues relating to science.
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Graduates will demonstrate understanding of ecological and environmental concepts, including issues that affect Louisiana.
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Graduates will demonstrate the ability to communicate scientific information verbally and in writing in a professional manner.
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Graduates will demonstrate the ability to find and evaluate scientific information.
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Graduates will have had exposure to field-specific literature.
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Graduates will demonstrate the ability to differentiate between ethical and unethical behavior with regard to science.
Admission Requirements
Students must meet all requirements for admission to the university. The Bachelor of Science in Biology has no separate or special admission requirements.
Degree Requirements
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Students must complete all of the requirements pertaining to baccalaureate degrees as specified in Degree Requirements .
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Students must complete at least 45 semester hours at the 3000-level or above and at least 15 semester hours at the 4000-level.
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Students are required to make a grade of “C” or higher in all courses listed under the Major Requirements section of the biology curriculum.
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General Education Requirements
See list of approved courses in the General Education section of the catalog.
Areas of Concentration
Choose one Area of Concentration.
Required Courses (23-24) + Electives Courses (6-7)
- AGRI 1003 - Introduction to Agricultural Business OR AGRI 2050 - General Horticulture Credits: 3 OR AGRI 1011 - Introduction to Animal Science Credits: 3
- AGRI 2051 - Soil Science Credits: 3
- AGRI 2061 - Soil Science Laboratory Credits: 1
- BIOL 3001 - General Entomology Credits: 4
- AGRI 4006 - Fundamentals of Applied Entomology Credits: 2
- AGRI 4016 - Fundamentals of Applied Entomology Laboratory Credits: 1
- AGRI 4070 - Weed Science and the Environment Credits: 2
- AGRI 4080 - Weed Science and the Environment Laboratory Credits: 1
- AGRI 4000 - General Plant Pathology Credits: 3
- AGRI 4010 - General Plant Pathology Laboratory Credits: 1
- BIOL 3990 - Biological Research OR BIOL 3901 - Internship in Biological Sciences Credits: 2-3
- Six to seven hours of Elective Courses to be chosen from the following list: AGRI 1003 , AGRI 2050 , BIOL 3161 , BIOL 3901 , BIOL 3990 , BIOL 4011 , BIOL 4015 , BIOL 4041 , BIOL 4154 , BIOL 4253 , BIOL 4255
Required Courses (20) + Electives Courses (10)
Required Courses (14-15) + Elective Courses (15-16)
Required Courses (14-15) + Electives Courses (15-16)
Organismal and Field Biology
Required Courses (22) + Electives (8)
Required Courses (22-23) + Elective Courses (7-8)
Required Courses (21-22) + Elective Courses (8-9)
- BIOL 1161 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
- BIOL 1162 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4
- BIOL 3090 - Cellular and Molecular Biology OR BIOL 4104 - Histology Credits: 3-4
- KINS 3513 - Introduction to Motor Learning Credits: 3
- PHYS 2002 - General Physics II Credits: 3
- PHYS 2109 - General Physics Laboratory II Credits: 1
- PSYC 4082 - Introduction to Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3
Eight or nine hours of Elective Courses to be chosen from the following list: BIOL 3090 , BIOL 3150 , BIOL 3152 , BIOL 4104 , BIOL 4110 , BIOL 4158 , KINS 2504 , KINS 3010 , KINS 3502 , KINS 3515 , KINS 3660 , KINS 4601 , KINS 4602 , HESC 1010 , PSYC 4060 .
Required Courses (28) + Elective Course (2)
Required Courses (26-27) + Electives Courses (3-4)
- BIOL 1501 - Introduction to Zoo Science Credits: 3
- BIOL 1502 - Zoo Keeping Techniques Credits: 4
- BIOL 3040 - Evolution Credits: 3
- BIOL 3540 - Zoo Animal Husbandry Credits: 3
- BIOL 3541 - Zoo Animal Training Credits: 3
- BIOL 3500 - Natural History of the Vertebrates Credits: 4
- BIOL 4015 - Conservation Biology Credits: 3
- BIOL 4540 - Zoo Animal Health Credits: 3
- Three to four hours of Elective Courses to be chosen from the following list: BIOL 2031 , BIOL 3001 , BIOL 3123 , BIOL 3150 , BIOL 3542 , BIOL 3901 , BIOL 3990 , BIOL 4015 , BIOL 4041 , BIOL 4154 , BIOL 4191 , BIOL 4253 , BIOL 4545 , PSYC 4036 Credits: 3-4
Electives
- Free Electives Credits: 11-14
Research Intensive Path
Students who desire to graduate with a “Research Intensive” transcript designation must have the approval of a faculty research mentor and complete the following courses:
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