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courses in the major. By the time they complete
the biology major, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a broad knowledge of all
general areas of biology.
2. Analyze and interpret qualitative and
quantitative data using graphic and
statistical analyses.
3. Recognize the unifying role of evolution
to the field of biology.
4. Read, critique and properly use scientific
literature.
5. Design and perform research using the
accepted scientific technique of hypothesis
testing.
6. Demonstrate proficiency in basic
laboratory skills.
7. Communicate scientific ideas/concepts
through writing and speaking.
8. Question and formulate new ideas
through the synthesis of scientific
information.
9. Appreciate the importance of science in
shaping our past, present and future
societies.
Degrees
• Major in Biology: B.S. (requires 60 hours
of science), B.A.
• Minor in Biology
Requirements for the Major
A total of 37 credit hours in biology is
required. All students must complete BI120–
123; these courses are prerequisites for all
other major-level biology courses. Additionally,
students must take one course with an accompanying
lab (indicated with L) from each
distribution group below. Two additional
courses, with or without labs, must be taken
from two different groups. The remaining
credit hours can be obtained by taking any
biology course at the 300 level or above. At
least one of the courses must be a plant course
(indicated with *) and at least one of the
courses must be an animal course (indicated
with **). The plant and animal courses should
be taken in the sophomore year. All senior
biology majors must complete the writingintensive
Senior Capstone course, BI480. In
addition, all Biology majors must take general
chemistry (CH105/106 or CH107). Note:
BI325 cannot be counted toward the 37-hour
minimum required for the biology major.
Students will be allowed to use a maximum
of three hours of independent study credit,
Butler University
internship credit, research or honors thesis
credit towards the 37-hour minimum required
for the biology major.
Genetics/Cellular/Molecular: Courses focus
primarily on the processes that occur within
and between cells and that are common to most
living things.
• BI305, Vertebrate Histology and
Microtechnique (L)
• BI323, Immunology
• BI350, Cell Biology (L)
• BI355, Plant Development (L)
• BI357, General Genetics (L)
• BI358, Genomics, Bioinformatics and
Gene Evolution (L)
• BI363, Plant Physiology* (L)
• BI410, Microbiology (L)
• BI458, Molecular Genetics (Prerequisite:
BI350 or BI357)
Evolution/Ecology/Behavior: Courses focus
on the processes that are responsible for understanding
the distribution, abundance and
diversity of organisms, from both contemporary
and historical perspectives.
• BI310, Evolution
• BI322, Vertebrate Biology** (L)
• BI364, Population and Community
Ecology (L)
• BI370, Conservation Biology
• BI420, Animal Behavior (L) (Prerequisite:
BI301)
• BI425, Landscape Ecology (L)
Organismal: Courses focus on particular taxonomic
groups of organisms. They may include
information on physiology, behavior, ecology,
evolution, classification, etc. of the group.
• BI301, Zoology** (L)
• BI302, General Botany * (L)
• BI303, Principles of Physiology (L)
• BI312, Biology of Non-vascular Plants (L)
• BI316, Mammology** (L)
• BI330, Tropical Field Biology (L)
• BI412, Local Flora (L)
• BI430, Developmental Biology (L)
Requirements for the Minor
• BI120–123
• Three BI elective courses with lab at the
300 level or above (excluding BI325).
• One elective must be chosen from the
following: BI302 or BI363 and another
from the following: BI301, BI316, or BI322.
• 22 credit hours in biology
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences