General Information

The Department of Biology seeks to provide students with an understanding of life as a process. Within its courses, the department emphasizes concepts which unify and clarify this goal. In addition, an appreciation of our biological relationship to the living world is presented. A flexibility in curriculum choices allows students to prepare for graduate work in the biological science, or professional work in medical arts or allied health professions.

Requirements for the Major in Biology

A major in biology consists of 36 semester hours of course work in biology, exclusive of BI 120, BI 122, BI 125 and BI 127. BI 110 and BI 111 are not recommended for pre-professional or graduate school bound students. Specifi c courses required for graduation are: BI 201, 202, 203 and BI 425E. No more than three semester hours of BI 360 or BI 499 may be counted toward the major. Extra-departmental requirements for the major are: CH 110W and CH 111 and (MA 141 or MA 151), or MA 123. Majors in biology may not minor in environmental biology and vice versa.

Requirements for a Minor in Biology

A minor in biology consists of any two of BI 201, 202 and 203 plus additional departmental courses for a total of 18 semester hours.

Requirements for the Major in Environmental Biology

The environmental biology major consists of 36 semester hours of course work in biology.
Required courses are: BI 201, BI 202, BI 203, BI 220, BI 227, BI 321W and BI 425E. In addition, at least nine credit hours must be taken from among the following courses and at least three of the nine credits must be at the 300-level or above: BI 215, BI 225W, BI 226, BI 230, BI 235, BI 236, BI 250, BI 280W, BI 285, BI 305, BI 315, BI 320W, BI 321W, BI 325, BI 330, BI 405, BI 498. Special courses (BI 199, BI 399) and directed study (BI 360) may be applied towards this major only when approved, in advance, by the department chair.

Extra-departmental requirements for the major include CH 110W, CH 111 and (MA 141 or MA 151), or MA 123.. The Senior Culminating Experience requirement is satisfied by completion of an indepth research project through BI 425E. Majors in environmental biology may not minor in biology and vice versa.

Requirements for the Minor in Environmental Biology

A minor in environmental biology consists of BI 202, BI 203, BI 220 and BI 227, plus one additional course at the 200-level or above chosen from among those specific courses (listed above) that can be used to satisfy the requirements for the major in environmental biology. In total, 18 semester hours are required.

Requirements for Honors in Biology or EnvironmentalBiology

Graduating seniors are awarded honors in biology or environmental biology after earning a 3.5 cumulative grade point average in all biology courses, complete of BI 425E (4 semester hours) for honors with a minimum grade of B+ and 12 semester hours in honors courses at the 200 or 300 level.

Medical Technology and Cytotechnology

Medical technology and cytotechnology programs are pre-professional programs that prepare students to enter clinical programs at schools of medical technology or cytotechnology.

These are 4+1 curriculum programs. Students spend four years at Mount Union College completing normal degree requirements with a biology major. Included in the biology major are the courses required for application to a clinical school which include: BI 201, BI 202, BI 203, BI 110, BI 111, BI 300, BI 305, BI 340, CH 110W, CH 111 and CH 230.