Two specific Bachelor of Science degrees, Biology and Microbiology, are available for students interested in the biological sciences. The B.S. in Biology allows students to concentrate in such areas as Ecology, Cell & Molecular Biology, Physiology, and Marine Biology. The degree is preparatory for careers in such areas as teaching, agriculture, medicine, dentistry, conservation, and biotechnology, or for post-baccalaureate study in the various life sciences. The B.S. in Microbiology provides students with the broad range of courses necessary to qualify for certification by the National Registry of Microbiologists, American Society of Microbiology, and employment in microbiology and related fields.
In addition to a set of courses in biology, students must have a thorough preparation in other areas of natural sciences to be competitive for jobs or for further study beyond the baccalaureate. A modern biology curriculum is built on a foundation of mathematics, chemistry and physics. Students should study the requirements listed below and then make maximum use of the vigorous advising program maintained by the Department in structuring their programs. See the Undergraduate Program Assistant for further details of advising.
Prerequisites (State Mandated Common Prerequisites) for Students Transferring from a Community College:
Students should complete the following prerequisite courses listed below at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at the community college, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Unless stated otherwise, a grade of “C” is the minimum acceptable grade.
- BSC 1010/1010L Introduction to Biology I-Cellular Processes (with lab)
Acceptable substitutes: PCB X010, PCB X011, PCB X021, PCB X131, BSC X040, BSC 2012
- BSC 1011/1011L Introduction to Biology II-Diversity (with lab)
Acceptable substitutes: ZOO X010, BOT X010, BSC X041, BOT X013
- CHM 1045/1045L General Chemistry I (with lab)
- CHM 1046/1046L General Chemistry II (with lab)
- CHM 2210/2210L Organic Chemistry I (with lab)
Acceptable substitutes: PHY 2043/2043L, PHY 2048/2048L, PHY 2049/2049L, or equivalent
- CHM 2211/2211L Organic Chemistry II (with lab)
Acceptable substitutes: PHY 2053/2053L, PHY 2048/2048L, PHY 2049/2049L, or equivalent
- MAC X311 Calculus I
Acceptable substitutes: MAC 2233, MAC 2253, MAC X281
- MAC X312 Calculus II
Acceptable substitutes: STA 2122, 2014, 2023, 2034, 2321 or equivalent; MAC 2234, 2254, 3282
Please be aware of the immunization, foreign language, and continuous enrollment policies of the university. This is a non-limited access program with the above courses recommended.
Upper-level Courses for the Major
- Department of Biology Courses - minimum 40 credit hours
- BSC 2010, BSC 2010L, BSC 2011, BSC 2011L
- PCB 3023, PCB 3043, and PCB 3063
- ONE of the following: PCB 3023L, PCB 3043L, or PCB 3063L
- ONE of the following (with laboratory): BOT 3373C, MCB 3030C, ZOO 3205C, ZOO 3713C, ZOO 4603C, or ZOO 4753C
- ONE of the following (with laboratory): MCB 4404, or PCB 4723
- The remaining credit hours to meet the minimum requirements must come from among structured departmental courses that are applicable to the major and BCH 3023. At least eight (8) of these credit hours must be at the 4000 level or higher.
- A maximum of four (4) credit hours of Undergraduate Research (BSC 4910) or Biology Honors Thesis (BSC 4970) may be applied.
- A minimum of 20 hours of Biology courses must be taken in residency and be applicable to the major.
- Supporting Courses in the Natural Sciences - minimum 32 credit hours
- CHM 2045, CHM 2045L, CHM 2046, and CHM 2046L
- CHM 2210, CHM 2210L, CHM 2211, and CHM 2211L
- MAC 2233 and MAC 2234 OR MAC 2281 and MAC 2282 OR MAC 2311 and MAC 2312 OR MAC 2233 and STA 2023
- PHY 2048, PHY 2048L, PHY 2049, and PHY 2049L OR PHY 2053, PHY 2053L, PHY 2054, and PHY 2054L
- Liberal Arts Courses - minimum 45 credit hours
- Free Elective Courses needed to complete 120 credit hours.
Requirements for the Microbiology B.S. Major (MIC)
Prerequisites (State Mandated Common Prerequisites)
Students should complete the following prerequisite courses listed below at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at the community college, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Unless stated otherwise, a grade of “C” is the minimum acceptable grade.
- BSC 1010/1010L Introduction to Biology I-Cellular Processes (with lab)
Acceptable substitutes: PCB X010, PCB X011, PCB X021, PCB X131, BSC X040, BSC 2012
- BSC 1011/1011L Introduction to Biology II-Diversity (with lab)
Acceptable substitutes: ZOO X010, BOT X010, BSC X041, BOT X013
- CHM 1045/1045L General Chemistry I (with lab)
- CHM 1046/1046L General Chemistry II (with lab)
- CHM 2210/2210L Organic Chemistry I (with lab)
Acceptable substitutes: PHY 2043/2043L, PHY 2048/2048L, PHY 2049/2049L, or equivalent
- CHM 2211/2211L Organic Chemistry II (with lab)
Acceptable substitutes: PHY 2053/2053L, PHY 2048/2048L, PHY 2049/2049L, or equivalent
- MAC X311 Calculus I
Acceptable substitutes: MAC 2233, MAC 2253, MAC X281
Please be aware of the immunization, foreign language, and continuous enrollment policies of the university. This is a non-limited access program with the above courses recommended.
Upper-level Courses required for the Microbiology B.S. Major
- Department of Biology Courses - minimum 42 credit hours
- BSC 2010, BSC 2010L, BSC 2011, BSC 2011L
- PCB 3023, PCB 3023L, PCB 3043, and PCB 3063
- MCB 3030, MCB 4115, MCB 4404, and MCB 4404L
- Ten (10) hours from the following list: BOT 4434, MCB 4502, MCB 4910, MCB 4934, MCB 5206, MCB 5600, MCB 5815, PCB 5235, ZOO 5235, BCH 3023L
- A maximum of four (4) credit hours of Undergraduate Research (MCB 4910) or Biology Honors Thesis (BSC 4970) may be applied.
- A minimum of twenty (20) hours of Biology courses must be taken in residency and be applicable to the major.
- Supporting Courses in the Natural Sciences - minimum 35 credit hours
- CHM 2045, CHM 2045L, CHM 2046, and CHM 2046L
- CHM 2210, CHM 2210L, CHM 2211, and CHM 2211L
- MAC 2233 and MAC 2234 OR MAC 2281 and MAC 2282 OR MAC 2311 and MAC 2312 OR MAC 2233 and STA 2023
- PHY 2048, PHY 2048L, PHY 2049, and PHY 2049L OR PHY 2053, PHY 2053L PHY 2054, and PHY 2054L
- BCH 3023
- Liberal Arts Courses - minimum 45 credit hours
- Free Elective Courses needed to complete 120 credit hours.
Minimum Grade for Majors
A student must receive a "C" grade or better in all Department of Biology courses and Supporting Courses in the Natural Sciences, except if they are used as Free Elective courses. This specification applies to both USF and transfer courses. D and F grades earned in attempting to satisfy major requirements will be used in calculating the GPA, except if they are removed by grade forgiveness.
Biology Honors Program
The Honors Program has been placed on inactive status. This program is to be reinstated at a later date.
USF 2001-2002 Undergraduate Catalog - Page 121
Biology Faculty
Chairperson: S. K. Pierce; Distinguished Research Professor: C. J. Dawes; Professors: M. R. Alvarez, G. W. Arendash, S. S. Bell, B. J. Cochrane, B. C. Cowell, G. W. Hinsch, J. M. Lawrence, D. V. Lim, R. L. Mansell, E. D. McCoy, P.J. Motta, H. R. Mushinsky, J. T. Romeo, J. L. Simon, D. T. TeStrake, R. P. Wunderlin; Associate Professors: M. L. Dao, F. I. Eilers, F. B. Essig, S. A. Karl, R. Pollenz, M. J. Saunders, P. D. Stiling, M. B. Rogers; Assistant Professors: A. C. Cannons, G. A. Fox, J. R. Garey, V. Harwood, M. Kimble, J. M. Lindzey, F. Thomas; Instructor: J. El-Rady; Visiting Instructor: S.J. Connor.