Liberal Arts and Sciences: Life Sciences

NOTE: This document was generated from the 1995-1997 UIUC Programs of Study. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, but be advised that requirements may have changed since this book was published. Errors may have also been introduced in the conversion to a WWW document. Thus for items of importance, it might be wise to seek confirmation from either the paper version or a live human being.

(Including Bioengineering; Biophysics; Biology General; Biology Honors; Cell and Structural Biology; Ecology, Ethology and Evolution; Entomology; Microbiology; Physiology; and Plant Biology)

Requirements for All Options. 43-47 hours as given below. (Advanced and additional requirements vary according to the option.)

Mathematics. 5 hours of calculus.

Chemistry. 13-15 hours of chemistry (through organic) with -- laboratory.

Biology. 15 hours of introductory biology with laboratory.

Physics. 10-12 hours of general physics with laboratory.

The School of Life Sciences (SOLS) departments have cooperated in developing a major in life sciences with a number of different options suitable for students with different educational objectives. Because of the interdependency of the biology subdisciplines and their reliance on the physical sciences, all undergraduates in this field are required to have a strong background in cognate sciences and broad exposure to biological materials, phenomena, and principles. Students who do not begin mathematics, chemistry, and biology in their freshman year generally will be at a disadvantage. In the advanced biological areas, students are expected to gain experience with living systems at the molecular, cellular, organismic, population, and community levels. The ways of achieving this training differ somewhat in the several options.


NOTES:


OPTIONS

Bioengineering Option

Life Science Courses. 8 hours of 300-level courses.

Basic Science Courses. 39-41 hours; plus 13-14 additional hours of mathematics.

Bioengineering/Engineering Courses. Minimum 9 hours.

Administered by the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, the bioengineering option represents a broad, interdisciplinary field that brings together engineering, biology, and medicine to study basic biological phenomena and to create new techniques and devices to deal with specific medical problems. Its practice ranges from the fundamental study of the behavior of biological materials to the development of medical instruments.

Students in this option must obtain a strong background in mathematics, physics, and chemistry in addition to the biological sciences. A number of engineering course sequences are also required. A student with specific career objectives in mind should consult with his or her adviser as early as possible in order to choose appropriate courses.

This option leads to a degree in life sciences. An engineering degree is possible through a five-year combined engineering-liberal arts and sciences program.

Courses in addition to those listed below may be required for entrance to medical or veterinary school or graduate programs in either engineering or the life sciences.

REQUIREMENTS

Recommended Supporting Course Work:

Distinction. In addition to the above requirements, candidates must enroll in BIOEN 270 and, working with a bioengineering faculty adviser, prepare a report based on laboratory or library research. This report will be submitted to a committee, which will recommend the level of distinction.

Biology General Option

Life Science Courses. 18 hours of 200- and 300-level courses

Supporting Courses. 43-47 hours

This option provides flexibility by allowing the student to design his or her own program. In selecting courses at the 200 and 300 level, the student should strike a balance between breadth and specialization. Students electing this option, therefore, should discuss these matters with their adviser.

REQUIREMENTS

Strongly Recommended. BIOCH 350 or equivalent; MATH 130 or MATH 245 or BIOL 371 or equivalent.

Other Recommendations. Students are encouraged to involve themselves in special topics courses ( BIOPH 290, CSB 290, EEE 290, ENTOM 290, MCBIO 290, PHYSL 290, PLBIO 290) and in additional calculus, statistics, computer science, and biochemistry courses.

Distinction. To be eligible for distinction a student must maintain a minimum grade-point average of at least 4.0, and submit a report of an independent study project (290 or 292 rubric) one month prior to graduation for approval by the Biology Distinction Committee.

Biology Honors Option

Life Science Courses. 24 hours of 200- and 300-level courses.

Supporting Courses. 50-59 hours.

This option, administered by the Biology Honors Committee, is designed for superior students wishing to pursue an intensive introductory biology program and, concurrently, to gain a strong background in the physical sciences. The option provides preparation suitable for graduate and professional training in biology.

REQUIREMENTS

Distinction. In addition to the above requirements, candidates for distinction must:

Footnotes: 1. The former sequence is recommended, and preference will be given on admission to students following it.

Footnote 2. Continuation in the biology honors option requires a grade of B or better in each of BIOL 250, BIOL 251, and BIOL 252.

Footnote 3. BIOL 371, AGRON 340, I E 238, or MATH 361 ( STAT 351) or STAT 363 (STAT 310) are recommended, as is additional training in statistics. Suitable sequences for those taking more than a single course are BIOL 371; AGRON 340 and AGRON 440; and STAT 310 ( MATH 363) and STAT 311 ( MATH 364).

No 100-level course in life sciences (other than BIOL 120, BIOL 250 [formerly 151]) will count toward graduation.

Advisers may not make any substitutions or other changes in the above requirements.

200-level life science courses (except BIOL 250, BIOL 251, BIOL 252, and independent study courses) will not ordinarily satisfy biology honors program requirements.

Biophysics Option

Life Science Courses. 6 hours of 200- and 300-level courses.

Supporting Courses. 59 hours.

This option is designed for the student who wishes a strong background in the physical sciences and mathematics, but is basically interested in the life sciences. It is designed to provide guidelines on which physical and life sciences courses especially complement each other. Because of the many possible course choices available, it is important that students within this option consult their option adviser throughout the entire undergraduate program.

REQUIREMENTS

Recommendations: Highly recommended advanced undergraduate courses include:

The above listing of recommended courses is not intended to be limiting; the individual student should consult his or her faculty adviser about other advanced undergraduate cognate courses that may be taken toward fulfillment of the option requirement.

Distinction. To earn distinction in the biophysics option, the candidate must enroll in BIOPH 290 and, working with a biophysics faculty adviser, prepare a report based on theoretical or experimental research. This report will be submitted to a committee that will recommend the level of distinction to the faculty.

Students with alternative introductory sequences may petition for substitution.

Cell and Structural Biology Option

Life Science Courses. 19 hours of 200- and 300-level courses.

Supporting Courses. 49-58 hours.

This option is intended to provide broad undergraduate training for students specifically interested in cell structure and function at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, or organismic levels. Students who choose this option will be prepared to pursue a course of study for an advanced degree in an area such as molecular biology, cell biology, molecular genetics, developmental biology, neuroscience, biochemistry, and anatomy, or for entry into technical occupations in research, industry, and the health professions.

REQUIREMENTS

Recommendations. Students with research interests are encouraged to take CSB 290 (Independent Study) which may be repeated to a maximum of 10 hours.

Distinction. To be eligible for departmental distinction, students must have at least a 4.0 average, enroll in CSB 290, and submit a research report approximately one month prior to graduation for approval by the CSB Distinction Committee.

Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution Option

Life Science Courses. 17 hours of 200- and 300-level courses.

Supporting Courses. 43-47 hours.

This option, administered by the Department of Ecology, Ethology and Evolution, is intended to provide undergraduate training for life science majors who have a special interest in the closely related areas of ecology, animal behavior, and evolution. Students following this option will be prepared to pursue advanced degrees in ecology, animal behavior, and evolution or to compete for jobs in zoos, governmental agencies (such as the departments of conservation and the environmental protection agencies), environmental consulting firms, and pest management firms. Because of the broad scope of this option and the numerous relevant courses, specific course requirements are few. The student, in consultation with an option adviser, should develop a program in biology with supporting course work in geology, geography, psychology, and related areas. Suggested course work for specialized areas can be obtained from the department.

REQUIREMENTS

Strongly Recommended. MATH 130 or MATH 245 or BIOL 371 or equivalent; BIOCH 350 or equivalent.

Other Recommendations. Computer science (C S 103)

Distinction. To be eligible for distinction a student must maintain at least a 4.0 average (4.25 in option requirements), complete a research project, including at least two hours of EEE 290 or EEE 294, and submit an acceptable research report.

Entomology Option

Life Science Courses. 18 hours of 200- and 300-level courses.

Supporting Courses. 46-51 hours.

This option is intended to provide undergraduate training to life science majors who are interested in careers in entomology in an academic, governmental, or industrial setting. Opportunities are provided within the option for students to obtain a broad science background for advanced work and to obtain exposure to a wide variety of entomological specializations.

REQUIREMENTS

Strongly Recommended. BIOCH 350 or equivalent.

Other Recommendations. Undergraduate research (ENTOM 290) directed by a member of the Department of Entomology.

Distinction. Candidates must maintain a 4.0 average overall (4.5 in entomology courses) and complete an undergraduate thesis based on a project agreed upon with the departmental adviser (minimum of 4 hours credit in ENTOM 290). The Departmental Distinction Committee shall, upon approval of the thesis, determine the level of distinction. See the adviser for details at the beginning of the junior year.

Microbiology Option

Life Science Courses. 20-26 hours of 200- and 300-level courses.

Supporting Courses. 49-57 hours.

This option is intended to provide a strong background in microbiology and related disciplines. Students satisfying the requirements of the microbiology option should be well-prepared for advanced study or employment not only in microbiology, but also in other biological disciplines, in health-related fields, and in biotechnology.

REQUIREMENTS

Recommendations. Independent laboratory study (MCBIO 290 or MCBIO 292) is recommended, but not required. Three hours or more of MCBIO 290 or MCBIO 292 may replace one of the laboratory courses in Group IV, but at least 14 hours of 300-level microbiology courses must be completed.

Distinction: In addition to the requirements above, candidates for distinction must submit a satisfactory senior research thesis (MCBIO 292) and maintain a minimum grade-point average of 4.25 (A = 5.0) in fulfilling all requirements. Contact the microbiology undergraduate adviser at the midpoint of the junior year. The department recognizes a single level of distinction.

Physiology Option

Life Science Courses. 19-21 hours of 200- and 300-level courses.

Supporting Courses. 49-60 hours.

Physiology is the study of how molecules, cells, organs, and organisms function with strong emphasis on regulation and integration. It uses the methods of biochemistry, biophysics, cell biology, molecular biology, and a host of other more fundamental disciplines. Physiology is an integrative science because it explains how biological elements work together as systems. Identified specialities within physiology include molecular physiology, membrane physiology, electrophysiology, cellular physiology, respiratory physiology, cardiovascular physiology, neurophysiology, endocrinology, comparative physiology, and others. Study in these specialties ranges from cellular and molecular systems to interrelations between organs and whole organisms and interactions between organisms and their environment.

In order for physiology students to take courses related to their areas of special interest, it is e ssential to consult with the physiology advisers as early as possible.

REQUIREMENTS

Distinction. Candidates for distinction must have at least a 4.0 average, enroll in PHYSL 292 and, working with a faculty adviser, prepare a report based on laboratory or library research. This report will be submitted to a committee, which will recommend the level of distinction.

Plant Biology Option

Life Science Courses. 18 hours of 200- and 300-level courses.

Supporting Courses. 43-47 hours.

This option provides training for students who seek a broad plant biology background in preparation for advanced work in plant biology or applied plant sciences. It provides opportunity for study of a wide variety of basic and applied specializations.

REQUIREMENTS

Strongly Recommended. MATH 130 or MATH 245 or BIOL 371 or equivalent; BIOCH 350 or equivalent.

Other Recommendations. Additional courses selected in consultation with a faculty adviser from the following: agronomy, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, ecology, entomology, forestry, geography, geology, horticulture, mathematics, microbiology, physics, physiology, and plant pathology. Other fields may be considered through consultation with a faculty adviser.

Distinction. In addition to meeting the requirements above, a candidate for distinction must maintain a grade-point average of 4.25 overall and 4.5 in life science courses and must submit a satisfactory senior thesis (PLBIO 292). Contact the plant biology undergraduate adviser by the junior year for details. The department recognizes a single level of distinction.

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