Apr 28, 2026  
2026-2027 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2026-2027 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog

Biology, BS, Pre-Physician Assistant Concentration


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Degree Awarded:         Total Credit Hours:
Bachelor of Science        120
Career Opportunities:
Professional school of physician assistant, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, forensic laboratories, hospitals, nursing and public health facilities
Note(s):
  • A grade of “C” or better is required in all MATH and BIOL courses applicable to the degree.
  • A minimum of 45 credit hours of 300/400-level courses must be taken to meet graduation requirements.

1  Students not qualified for MATH 143  must take MATH 109  and MATH 110  before advancing to MATH 250 . Qualified students should take MATH 270  in lieu of MATH 250 .

2  Students must complete one of the following courses which place an emphasis on writing: BIOL 307 BIOL 309 BIOL 321 BIOL 337 BIOL 345 BIOL 360 BIOL 362 , BIOL 370 BIOL 407G BIOL 409G BIOL 412G BIOL 415G BIOL 424G BIOL 429G , BIOL 430G BIOL 435 BIOL 437G , BIOL 440G BIOL 441G BIOL 445G , BIOL 455G BIOL 471G , or BIOL 485G . This course can be used to satisfy other curriculum requirements, as appropriate.

Students must complete one of the following courses that place an emphasis on quantitative training in Biology: BIOL 307 BIOL 360 , BIOL 362 BIOL 401G BIOL 405G BIOL 407G BIOL 409G BIOL 412G BIOL 414G BIOL 416G BIOL 424G BIOL 426G BIOL 427G BIOL 431G BIOL 437G , BIOL 440G BIOL 441G BIOL 443G BIOL 444G , BIOL 446G , or BIOL 458G . This course can be used to satisfy other curriculum requirements, as appropriate. Other courses, including advanced Math and Statistics courses, can be used to fulfill this requirement with the approval of the department head.

3  Students interested in taking upper level microbiology labs should take BIOL 263  .

4  Recommended electives for students interested in physician assistant school, medical school, dental school, and allied health sciences programs.

Social/Behavioral Sciences (3 credit hours)


Choose from the General Education Curriculum  list of Social/Behavioral Science courses.

Students interested in PA school are encouraged to take PSYC and/or SOCI courses.

English Literature (3 credit hours)


Choose from the General Education Curriculum  list of Literature courses.

Fine Arts (3 credit hours)


Choose from the General Education Curriculum  list of Fine Arts courses.

Biology Physiology (4 credit hours)


Students must take a course with an emphasis on writing and a course with an emphasis on quantitative training in Biology. 2

Biology Systematics (3 credit hours)


Students must take a course with an emphasis on writing and a course with an emphasis on quantitative training in Biology. 2

History (3 credit hours)


Choose from the General Education Curriculum  list of History courses.

General Elective (3 credit hours)


Must be approved by the student’s academic advisor.

Senior Year (32 credit hours)


Biology Field (3 credit hours)


Students must take a course with an emphasis on writing and a course with an emphasis on quantitative training in Biology. 2

Biology Lab (4 credit hours)


Students must take a course with an emphasis on writing and a course with an emphasis on quantitative training in Biology. 2

Biology or Biochemistry (6 credit hours)


Any BIOL course for majors at the 300/400 level or CHEM 317 .

Students interested in PA school should consider taking BIOL 337 , BIOL 455G . Students also should consider an Internship for BIOL 417  credits.

Students must take a course with an emphasis on writing and a course with an emphasis on quantitative training in Biology. 2

Social/Behavioral Sciences (3 credit hours)


Choose any 200-level or above course from the General Education Curriculum  list of Social/Behavioral Science courses.

Students interested in PA school are encouraged to take PSYC and/or SOCI courses

General Elective (12 credit hours)


Must be approved by the student’s academic advisor.

General Education Curriculum


English
(6 cr)
Mathematics
(6 cr)
Natural Sciences
(9 cr)
Social/Behavioral Sci
(6 cr)
ENGL 101 
ENGL 102  
MATH 143 
MATH 250  
BIOL 110 
BIOL 111 
CHEM 107  
Choose from the
Gen Ed Course List  
History
(3 cr)
Fine Arts
(3 cr)
Communication
(3 cr)
Literature
(3 cr)
Choose from the
Gen Ed Course List  
Choose from the
Gen Ed Course List  
ENGL 365 
or
CMCN 310  
Choose from the
Gen Ed Course List  

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