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Coppin State University

All Academic Programs

Biology Major

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The Biology program provides instruction in the fundamental theories, principles, and techniques of biological science.  The courses are especially designed for students who are interested in engaging in fundamental and industrial research, teaching biology, allied health professions, environmental sciences, bio-technology, the medical, or dental professions, or veterinary medicine; or in pursuing advanced degrees in the life sciences.  Faculty members aid students in planning individual programs geared toward meeting the students' academic and career goals.

Major Requirements:

Courses*
BIOL 103 General Botany
BIOL 104 General Zoology
BIOL 106 Fundamentals of Cell Biology
BIOL 106L Fundamentals of Cell Biology Laboratory
BIOL 204 Vertebrate Structure and Development
BIOL 305 Animal Physiology
BIOL 308 Microbiology
BIOL 401 General Ecology
BIOL 402 Principles of Genetics
BIOL 403-404 Seminar in Biology

BIOL Electives
* BIOL 106 Fundamentals of Cell Biology is to be taken as a Natural Science GER.

**Biology majors must earn a grade of "C" or better in major courses.**

Biology majors may substitute BIOL 213 Morphology of Vascular Plants for BIOL 204 Vertebrate Structure and Development.  Biology majors (Teacher Certification) and Pre-health may substitute BIOL 201 and 203 Human Anatomy and Physiology for BIOL 204 Vertebrate Structure and Development.

When substituting Human Anatomy and Physiology for Vertebrate Structure and Development, both parts of Human Anatomy and Physiology (8 credits) must be taken in order to receive the equivalent 4 credits for BIOL 204. Electives may be selected from any 300 or 400 level course.


Chemistry Requirements for the Biology Major

Biology majors must take the following courses in chemistry and earn at least a grade of "C" or higher.
Courses

  • CHEM 101 General Chemistry I 
  • CHEM 102 General Chemistry II
  • CHEM 307 Organic Chemistry I 
  • CHEM 308 Organic Chemistry II
  • CHEM 313 Biochemistry


Additional Requirements for the Biology Major in Physics and Mathematics:

The following courses must also be passed with a "C" grade or higher:

Courses
PHYS 301 General Physics I
PHYS 302 General Physics II
MATH 132 Pre-Calculus

Biology majors must also successfully pass a comprehensive exit examination during the Spring of their senior year and complete a senior thesis.

Major in Biology (Teacher Certification Track)

The Biology major (Teacher Certification) prepares students for teaching in the secondary school and offers a relevant series of courses in biology and related sciences to students who are interested in exploring educational career possibilities in the life sciences.

Science requirements for this major are the same as those for the liberal arts Biology major.  In addition, students must take sufficient professional education courses for certification.  BIOL 201 AND 203 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II substitute for BIOL 204 Vertebrate Structure and Development.


No credits will be given for both BIOL201/203 and BIOL 204
See Plan of Study: Biology Major (Teacher Certification Track)

Biology Major

LEVEL I (FIRST YEAR) 

Fall Semester
*ENGL 101 English Composition               3
*MATH 131 Coll. Alg for Math & Science 3
*»HIST 201 World History          3
*×PHIL 102  Intro to Logic 3
*PSYC 201 General Psychology           3
**ORIE 101 Freshman Seminar 1

Semester Total 16

Spring Semester 
*ENGL 102 English Composition II 3
*»HIST 202 World History II 3
■BIOL 106 Cell Biology                           4
■MATH 132 Pre-Calculus 4
■BIOL 104 Zoology 4

Semester Total 18
LEVEL II (SOPHOMORE)

Fall Semester
*○WLIT 207 World Literature 3
*ANTH 207 Anthropology 3
*CHEM 101 General Chemistry l                 4
*IDIS 102 Music & Dance  3
■BIOL 103 General Botany 4

   Semester Total 17

Spring Semester
■CHEM 102 General Chemistry ll 4
■BIOL 204 Vertebrate Str. Dev  4
**MISY 150 Tech Fluency  3
*HEED 101 Personal Health  3

Semester Total 14
LEVEL III (JUNIOR)

Fall Semester
■CHEM 307 Organic Chem l             5
■PHYS 301 General Physics  4
■BIOL 308 Microbiology  4

Semester Total 13

Spring Semester
■CHEM 308 Organic Chem ll  5
■PHYS 302 Physics ll  4
▲Program Elective
 3
▲Program Elective
 3

Semester Total 15
LEVEL IV (SENIOR)

Fall Semester
■BIOL 403 Seminar in Biology 1
■BIOL 401 General Ecology         4
▲Program Elective
4
▲Program Elective
3
▲Program Elective
3

Semester Total 15

Spring Semester
■BIOL 404 Seminar in BIOL 1
■BIOL 402 Principles of Genetics 4
■CHEM 313 Biochemistry 4
▲Program Elective
3
▲Program Elective
3

Semester Total 15

TOTAL CREDITS 123

 Major: Biology-Concentration: Teaching Education

LEVEL I (FIRST YEAR) 

Fall Semester
*ENGL 101 English Composition               3
*MATH 131 Coll. Alg for Math & Science 3
*»HIST 203 U.S. History I      3
*×PHIL 102  Intro to Logic 3
*PSYC 201 General Psychology           3
**ORIE 101 Freshman Seminar 1

Semester Total 16

Spring Semester 
*ENGL 102 English Composition II 3
*»HIST 202 World History II 3
■BIOL 106 Cell Biology                           4
*HEED 101 Personal Health 3
■BIOL 104 Zoology 4

Semester Total 17
LEVEL II (SOPHOMORE)

Fall Semester
*○WLIT 207 World Literature 3
*ANTH 207 Anthropology 3
*CHEM 101 General Chemistry l                 4
*IDIS 102 Music & Dance  3
**MISY 150 Tech Fluency 3

   Semester Total 16

Spring Semester
■CHEM 102 General Chemistry ll 4
■BIOL 201 Human Anatomy & Phys I  4
■MATH 132 Pre-Calculus  4
■BIOL 308 Microbiology  4
■EDUC 203 Fund Tech w/ audiov  3

Semester Total 19
LEVEL III (JUNIOR)

Fall Semester
■BIOL 203 Human Anatomy & Phys II    4
■PHYS 301 General Physics  4
■EDUC 313 Principles of Sec Edu  3
■BIOL 103 General Botany 4

Semester Total 15

Spring Semester
■BIOL 305 Animal Physiology  4
■PHYS 302 Physics ll  4
■EDU 405 History of Education  3
■BIOL 302 Histology  4

Semester Total 15
LEVEL IV (SENIOR)

Fall Semester
■BIOL 403 Seminar in Biology 1
■CHEM 313 Biochemistry         4
■PSYC 202 Educational PSYCHO 3
■BIOL 401 General Ecology 4
■SCED 326 Teach Sc. Second 3

Semester Total 15

Spring Semester
■BIOL 404 Seminar in BIOL 1
■BIOL 402 Principles of Genetics 4
■EDUC 403 Philosophy of Education 3
■EDUC 408 Measurement 3
■SCED 414  Direct Teach 3
■SCED 456 Teaching Reading   3

Semester Total 17

TOTAL CREDITS 130

 *  General Education Requirement
 **  University Graduation Requirement
 ■  Major Course
  »  or any 2 part 200 level History
○  or any ENGL 200 level or above
•  BIOL 101 or 107 or CHEM 101 or PHSC 101 or PHSC 103
×  PHIL 103 or PHIL 102
†  or IDIS 103 or any Foreign Language or ART 105 or MUSC 201 or DANC 226 or THEA 211
‡
  or any 3 credit Health course, or SPCH 202 or SPCH 204 or GEOG 102
 ♦  General Elective - any University course
 ▲  Program Elective - any non-required course within the discipline
 ▬  Support Course
§  Management Science Elective

NOTE: Please consult a program advisor to discuss course options. 

 

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