Bachelor of Science in Biology

The Bachelor of Science degree in Biology provides students the opportunity to learn biological principles and skills in lecture, laboratory, and field courses. Student research is also emphasized throughout the program. The program has five permanent faculty actively involved in a wide range of disciplines, including marine ecology, behavioral ecology, marine mammalogy, crustacean physiology, and marine algology. The location of the University provides students with a "natural laboratory" that includes extensive marine habitat, rainforest, wetlands, and ice fields all within walking distance of the classrooms. A small student-to-professor ratio ensures a more personal approach to learning than is possible at larger universities. The Bachelor of Science program in biology comprises a core curriculum generally found nationwide in bachelor of science biology programs.

To view details of the program, visit the biology program Website.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants enter as premajors and will be considered for full admission into the Bachelor of Science in Biology program after completion of the following:

  1. MATH S107 (May be met by placement examination)
  2. ENGL S111
  3. BIOL S105 and BIOL S106
  4. High School Chemistry or CHEM S103 with a C or higher

When a student becomes a major in Biology he or she is assigned a faculty advisor. The student and faculty advisor plan the student's curriculum, and the advisor's signature is required on registration documents.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS (2009-2010 catalog)

Candidates must complete the general education requirements (GERs) as well as the specific program requirements listed below for a minimum of 120 credit hours. Courses in a degree program may be counted only once. Courses used to fulfill the major requirements cannot be used to fulfill the GERs. Specific recommendations for the GERs in Biology are listed below. Degree must include 48 credit hours of upper-division (300 or above) courses, 24 of which must be completed at UAS.

Minimum Credit Hours 120
General Education Requirements 36
Must include:
MATH S200 Calculus I* 4
BIOL S105 Fundamentals of Biology I 4
BIOL S106 Fundamentals of Biology II 4
*Prerequisites include MATH S107 and MATH S108
Major Requirements 43
BIOL S271 Ecology 4
BIOL S310 Animal Physiology 4
BIOL S362 Genetics 4
BIOL S482 Evolution 4
CHEM S105 General Chemistry I 4
CHEM S106 General Chemistry II 4
CHEM S341 Organic and Biological Chemistry I 4
CHEM S342 Organic and Biological Chemistry II 4
STAT S273 Elementary Statistics 3
select both
PHYS S103 College Physics I 4
PHYS S104 College Physics II 4
or both
PHYS S211 General Physics I 4
PHYS S212 General Physics II 4
Biology Electives 20
Select four from the following (20 credits):
BIOL S215 Introduction to Marine Biology 3
BIOL S239 Introduction to Plant Biology 4
BIOL S300 Vertebrate Zoology 4
BIOL S305 Invertebrate Zoology 4
BIOL S373 Conservation Biology 3
BIOL S375 Current Topics in Biology* 4
BIOL S382 Wetlands Ecology 4
BIOL S384 Marine Mammalogy 4
BIOL S396 Field Studies in Behavior and Ecology* 1-6
BIOL S398/S498 Research** 1-6
BIOL S401 Phycology 4
BIOL S415 Physiology of Marine Animals 4
BIOL S426 Ornithology 4
BIOL S427 Introduction to Ichthyology 4
BIOL S441 Animal Behavior 4
BIOL S445 Vascular Plants of Southeast Alaska 3
BIOL S480 Aquatic Pollution 3
BIOL S481 Marine Ecology 4
BIOL S492 Biology Seminar* 2
BIOL S495 Behavioral Ecology 3
BIOL S415 Biogeography & Landscape 3
*Only 4 credits from BIOL S375 and 2 credits from BIOL S492 may be applied toward the biology electives. Additional credits may be applied toward electives.
**Up to 6 credits total from BIOL S396/398/498 may be applied.
Electives 21
Must include a minimum of 12 credits of upper division courses.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The UAS Career Services Office provides a current listing of internship opportunities available to UAS students. These internships are funded by Alaskan, federal, national and international organizations and businesses. Changes occur frequently. If you have an interest in internships please contact Career Services for assistance. If admitted to a degree program you can also speak with a faculty member if you are interested in an internship for academic credit.

CONTACT INFORMATION

University of Alaska Southeast
11120 Glacier Highway
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Ph: 907-796-6100
Ph: 877-465-4827 ext. 6350 (toll free)
Program Web site: uas.alaska.edu/biology
Email: admissions@uas.alaska.edu