FAQs

May a student count a course that is a part of the Biology major, such as a chemistry or math course, towards their Biology major?

No, Biology courses only with the BIO prefix.
If a student has taken all 40 credits to satisfy the biology major, including the 21 Upper Division courses but BIO 1080 was transferred in as BIO 1000 (no lab included) or they took BIO 1000 by mistake here, or they NEVER took BIO 1080, should they take BIO 1080/90?

Absolutely yes, they must take BIO 1080/90
Will any math course (such as statistics, finite math...) be ok for the 2 semesters of MTH that BIO degree requires?

Yes, as long as it is MTH 1110 or above.
If it is a BA in Biology, can the student substitute ANY two semesters in chemistry for the chemistry requirement (Such as CHE 1800 and 1810)?

Yes.
May the senior experience course count as part of the 40 credits of the Biology degree?

Yes.
If a student takes 1080 and 1090, and flunks 1080 but passes 1090, can they just retake BIO 1080?

Yes, if he/she receives an A or B in the part that is passed. The student should report to the Dean's office in SI 101.
Do we accept CLEP tests for Biology major or minor? How about Advanced Placement classes?

No, the only CLEP test is for BIO 1000. The Dept. does accept official Advanced Placement scores of 3,4,5 for credit in BIO 1080 and BIO 1090.
If a student is one credit short on a required Biology major/minor course (such as BIO 1080/90, 3600...) because of transferring from the quarter system, must he/she retake that course?

No, just make sure that the total credit hours are correct.
If a student already has a Bachelor's Degree and is pursuing a SECOND degree with a major in Biology, must he/she only satisfy major requirements?

Yes, and some of those requirements may even be transferred in. Additionally, he/she must satisfy the multi cultural and senior experience requirement. A student does not need a minor if it is a SECOND major.
Even though internships (such as 299, 398) are for Biology majors ONLY, occasionally, a Biology minor student wishes to participate in an internship & have it count towards their minor. Will a Biology internship count towards elective credits for a Biology minor?

It depends on the particular situation. The student should see the Chair if there are questions. However, be advised that a student may only use A MAXIMUM OF FOUR CREDITS OF TOTAL OMNIBUS INTERNSHIP/FIELD EXPERIENCE CREDITS towards a biology major. (These courses include BIO 2888, 2980, 2990, 3970, 3980, 4888, 4980 and 4990) If a student is approved to count an internship as elective credits towards a Biology minor, a maximum of two credits will be accepted.
What is the academic residency requirement?

The residency requirement requires a minimum of 30 credits at MSCD, at least 8 Upper Division courses in their major and at least 3 Upper division credits in their minor at MSCD. The residency requirement requires that the last 12 credits must be at MSCD.
May a pooled MSCD-UCD course count for the last 12 hours residency requirement?

The answer is yes, as long as the student completes a minimum of 30 credits at MSCD prior to graduation and obtains permission for the major or minor department PRIOR to taking a MSCD-UCD pooled course to meet a requirement in the major or minor program.
If a student is seeking secondary science licensure with a Biology Major, must he/she meet all of the Biology Major requirements as well the secondary licensure requirements?

Yes, if the student is planning on receiving licensure upon graduation from MSCD. However, there are several alternative ways to obtaining licensure following graduation. Students interested in these alternative pathways to licensure should consult with the science specialist in the School of Education.
If a student has more than 90 credits to transfer to MSCD, can he/she pick and choose which ones to transfer?

Yes, with the help of an advisor, preferable the Chair of the Biology Department. Only courses with "C" or better will transfer to MSCD. A maximum of 90 credits will transfer (64 maximum from a community college), and if they have more than 90 credits, pick the ones that will count towards their degree.
Does a student NEED an emphasis for their Biology Major?

NO. If a student knows what career path they want, an emphasis makes sense. This includes a student desiring Graduate School in Microbiology (Micro. Emphasis makes sense) or a pre-vet student pursuing a Zoology emphasis. If a student is not sure on their career, a plain BS makes sense because they can pick & choose the electives that most interest/benefit them.
Does a student seeking a biology major NEED a minor?

YES. Students need to satisfy a Biology Major, a minor (Chemistry is suggested) as well as the College's General Studies Requirements, which includes the Multicultural and Senior Experience course.
Can a student take a course that is part of their Biology Major or Minor on a Pass/Fail basis?

No. Pass/Fail may be used for elective credit only. Major, minor, general studies, and other courses required for a degree of for teacher licensure, may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.
How can you tell when looking at a student's transfer evaluation whether a transfer course is a Lower Division (1000,2000) level course or an Upper Division (3000,4000) level course?

Lower division courses transfer as 8000, Upper division courses transfer as 9000.
May a Biology Major count BIO 1080/90 or BIO 3550 (Urban Ecology) as Level II General Studies courses?

NO. Students may not use courses having the same prefix as their major to satisfy General Studies Level II requirements.
If a student GRADUATES from MSCD with a major in some other field and a minor in Biology, may they just complete, at a later date after graduation, the rest of the requirements for a Biology major, and have their records changed to a double major - one of which is in biology?

No. Once a student graduates, the official records & transcripts are never changed. The student should either delay graduation to complete the second major, or must come back to MSCD and satisfy the requirements for a second degree.
May a student transferring from the Community College use Human Anatomy and Physiology as Natural Science General Studies courses?

Generally no. Non-biology majors seeking an exception must see the Chair of Biology.
Must a student with a Zoology emphasis take Botany (BIO 2100)?

Not always, but students who do not take Bio 2100 must obtain the permission of the instructor to take Animal Ecology (Bio 4550.)
May a Biology major use their CHE 1800 OR 1810 plus CHE 1850 to satisfy BOTH their 6 credits of General Studies Natural Science credits AND towards requirements of the Chemistry minor?

Students may use courses having the same prefix as their minor to satisfy General Studies requirements. However, a minimum of 18 credits must be used only in the minor and not for General Studies. Deviations from this require approval of the Chemistry Department.
Are there any exceptions to the 40 credit requirement for the Biology major or the 24 credit requirement for the Biology minor?

No.
Are there any exceptions to the 21 upper division elective credits required for a biology major?

No.
May a student use a "Non-Majors" course to count towards their BIO major or BIO minor?

No.
Does a student, who is a double major, need a minor?

No.
Will BIO courses in which the student received a "D" grade count towards the BIO major?

It is only OK if their cumulative BIO GPA is 2.0 or higher. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in their major and in their minor. MSCD requires that the cumulative GPA of their 120 credits needed to graduate be 2.0 or higher. However, advise the students how that "D" grade might look to future employers or graduate programs.
Do Biology majors seeking a B.S. degree have to take the labs for Organic Chemistry I and Biochemistry I?

Yes. Starting with the Fall 2004 catalog. If you are using degree requirements in catalogs prior to Fall 2004, we strongly recommend taking the labs with these two courses. Most professional schools require the lab and many require both semesters of Organic with labs.
May a student use the "LAST GRADE STANDS" policy one they have graduated?

No. Once a student graduates, he/she may not apply the Last Grade Stands policy to repeat a course taken prior to graduation. Also, students CANNOT use courses taken at another institution for the Last Grade Stands Policy.
What is a CAPP report?

A CAPP report is a very useful advising tool that indicates what requirements you have met and which you have not yet met, in order to graduate. They may be obtained from an Advisor in your major department, or from CN 104.