Technological breakthroughs in areas such as biochemistry, botany, ecology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, and physiology are being used to solve problems in agriculture, environmental toxicology, forestry, medicine, public health, and pharmaceutical industry. The Department of Biology focuses on areas of modern biology and biotechnology offering the degree in six specializations: General Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Pre-Professional Biology, Pre-Dental Biology, and Plant Science. The specializations include a series of five core courses fundamental to all areas of biology. Elective courses emphasize theoretical and practical aspects within the chosen specialty. Graduates are prepared to gain employment in industry, government, health professions, and research laboratories or to pursue advanced degrees in the biological sciences, professional schools (medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, veterinary), and public health. Prospective students need to be aware that some biology lab courses involve use of live animals. Students may wish to seek details from course instructors before enrolling.

Students interested in obtaining certification to teach this subject area in secondary education need to contact an advisor in this department and in Teacher Education Student Services (Building 85, Room 113) to carefully plan the course work to satisfy degree and some teacher certification requirements. A degree in this major is required for participation in the approved teacher education program and for other certification options.

Common Prerequisites (31-32 sh)
State mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program.

Graduation requirements for the B.S. degree in Biology include the successful completion of the following science/mathematics prerequisites: three foundation courses in biology (recommended: General Botany; General Zoology; Cell Biology); General Chemistry I & II; Organic Chemistry I & II; two courses in physics; Calculus I and either Calculus II or Statistics.

Since it will be difficult to incorporate all prerequisites into the 60 sh Lower Division Curriculum, students are advised to complete the following common prerequisites. Courses in brackets indicate substitutes from Florida Public Community/Junior Colleges and Universities.

+ Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Studies requirements.

Biology Core (20 sh)
Same as General Biology Specialization except that pre-dental students must take PCB 4723/L.

Specialization (24 sh)

* Indicates courses taken at UF College of Dentistry that apply to degree.

Major-Related (11-14 sh)

Upper Division Electives (2-5 sh)
Sufficient 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF's requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper division or completion of all departmental requirements at the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater.