Faculty:  G. Stewart (Chairperson), W. Bennett, S. Bonomelli, A.B. Chaet (emeritus), C.N. D'Asaro, P. Darby, D. Davis, W.H. Jeffrey, S. Krothapalli, C. Pomory, K.R. Rao, V. Sharma, M.S. Shields, R.A. Snyder, S. Strasinger, P.A. Winter. Faculty˙Associates: B. Brecke, J. Burkhalter, J.C. Cornette, J.A. Couch, L.C. Folmar, J. Lanza, R.L. Lavine, P. Linehan, C.L. McKinney, D. Miller, B. Ripps, M. Thetford, J.B. Unruh, J.T. Winstead

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, Pre-Dental, 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 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.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
In addition to general University requirements, students seeking the B.S. in Biology must meet the requirements listed below.

A grade of "C" or better is required in each of the five biology core courses.

Consult with your academic advisor for courses which may satisfy both the General Studies requirements and common prerequisites.

Course descriptions are listed alphabetically by prefix in the back of this catalog.

General Studies (36 sh)
Biology majors should satisfy the mathematics (6 sh) and science (7 sh) components of General Studies with course work taken from the common prerequisites shown below.

Pre-Dental majors should take DEP 2004 to meet the social science/behavioral component of General Studies.

Other biology majors should take ANT 2000 or PSY 2013 to satisfy the social science/behavioral perspectives component of General Studies.

For additional information see the General Studies section of this catalog.

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.

Lower Division Electives (0-6 sh)
Sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to complete at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4999) to meet this elective requirement.

GENERAL BIOLOGY SPECIALIZATION

Upper Division Electives (0 sh)

MICROBIOLOGY SPECIALIZATION

Major-Related (18 sh)
Same as General Biology Specialization.

Upper Division Electives (0 sh)

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY SPECIALIZATION

Major-Related (18 sh)
Same as General Biology Specialization.

Upper Division Electives (0 sh)

PLANT SCIENCE SPECIALIZATION

Major-Related (18 sh)
Same as General Biology Specialization.

Upper Division Electives (0 sh)

PRE-PROFESSIONAL BIOLOGY SPECIALIZATION

Major-Related (18 sh)
Same as General Biology Specialization.

Upper Division Electives (0 sh)

BIOLOGY PRE-DENTAL SPECIALIZATION

Students must comply with the admission requirements to this specialization discussed in the pre-dental program description in the Undergraduate Degree Programs section of the Catalog.

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.