Bachelor of Biology UF Online at University of Florida

The biology major develops fundamental knowledge of animals, plants, and microorganisms. The Bachelor of Arts in biology is a flexible degree that is best suited for students interested in a career in education, the allied health professions, and interdisciplinary fields such as environmental or biotechnology law, science journalism, and bioscience management. This degree is not recommended for students seeking admission into professional schools such as medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine. Please contact an academic advisor for more information.

Coursework for the Major

All coursework for the major must be completed with minimum grades of C.

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This major requires a minimum of 30 credits in core courses. At least 18 of the 30 credits of the required core coursework must be taken at UF. Any additional credits remaining after completion of required coursework must be met by taking courses from the approved additional life sciences electives. Any additional credits remaining after completion of the required core coursework must be met by taking courses from the approved B.A. electives in the biological sciences.

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At least two Biology Distribution Courses must be taken at UF. Only one 2000-level course may be applied to the Biology Distribution Course requirement. Students must complete at least one course from three of the five following group. Please note: classes vary from 3-5 credits in each category.

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Course has specific prerequisites; students should consult the course description when planning their programs to ensure they may select this course.

Biology is the study of the many diverse forms, processes and systems of life. These studies range across all levels of the biological hierarchy, from the simplest to the most complex life forms, across all environments on the earth and across recent and evolutionary time that interconnects ancestors to their descendants.

To understand this vast diversity, the field of biology correspondingly relies on integrative and comparative approaches for the resolution of the general processes, principles and unifying themes that govern living systems. Biology is therefore very interdisciplinary and biologists rely on knowledge from the physical sciences and mathematics, as well as from across the disciplines and subdisciplines of biology for advances and breakthroughs.

The biology major is administered jointly by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Achieve a passing score for all content subsections of the Major Field Test for Biology. Content subscore areas are molecular biology and genetics, organismal biology, evolution, ecology and population biology.
• Achieve a passing score on the analytical skills assessment indicator of the Major Field Test for Biology.
• Achieve a passing score on the bioethics module quiz in BSC 4936. The content of the module and quiz are reviewed and approved by a faculty committee.
• Achieve a passing score on the scientific literacy paper assignment given in BSC 4936. This paper is graded using a faculty-developed rubric.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Content

1. Identify, describe and explain the basic terminology, concepts, methodologies and theories used within the biological sciences.

Critical Thinking

1. Analyze biological information and develop reasoned solutions to problems using the processes and applications of scientific inquiry.
2. Discriminate ethical behavior from unethical behavior in scientific research.

Communication

1. Communicate knowledge, ideas and reasoning clearly and effectively in written or oral forms appropriate to the biological sciences.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types

• Major field test for biology
• Bioethics module
• Scientific literacy paper