Department of Biological Sciences

Back to top

About the Department

Biology includes the whole domain of living things; patterns of cellular structure, the underlying biochemical pathways, anatomy and function of whole organisms; the mathematical predictability and molecular basis of inheritance; the flow of energy and matter through living systems; the regulation and interaction of basic life processes; the universality of adaptation; and the interdependence of the biosphere. Like all sciences, biology is both cumulative and open-ended in its discoveries. It teaches the wonders of life, the excitement of discovery, and the challenge of the unknown. Students who are curious about living things — how they function or how they relate to the environment — may want to study biology.

Back to top

Facilities

The Department of Biological Sciences operates four tissue culture facilities, warm and cold rooms, and a photographic laboratory. Preparative ultracentrifuges, scintillation counters, fraction collectors, spectrophotometers and gel electrophoresis equipment facilitate research in enzymes, proteins and genetic engineering. A comprehensive collection of instruments is available to conduct research in plant physiological ecology: oxygen electrode system with fluorescence probe, Infra Red Gas Analyzer for measurement of CO2 uptake, pressure chamber and thermocouple psychrometer for measuring water potential, and data loggers with a variety of sensors to measure environmental variables. The department maintains substantial collections of insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and plants. The 2,660-acre campus, with its woods and lakes and ponds, provides easily accessible habitats for ecological and other field work.

Back to top

Career Opportunities

Many careers are available for people with basic or advanced training in biology. There are opportunities in botany, dentistry, ecology, environmental biology, fisheries biology, genetic engineering, horticulture, immunology, medicine, medical technology, microbiology, molecular biology, parasitology, physiology, wildlife management, and zoology. Technical and supervisory positions are available in federal, state, industrial and university laboratories. Environment- and health-related occupations almost always require sound basic training in biology. Most students entering schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, osteopathy, veterinary science, chiropractic and podiatry are Biology majors. Basic training in biology is essential for careers in allied health sciences, including nutrition, pharmacy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.

Back to top

Admission

High school students who plan to major in one of the degree programs in Biological Sciences should complete at least three years of college preparatory mathematics (two years of algebra and one year of geometry), and one year each of chemistry and biology before entering the University. A fourth year of college preparatory mathematics (to include trigonometry) is strongly recommended. Admission to a degree program in Biological Sciences requires an application for a major and acceptance by the department. Once admitted, students are formally affiliated with the department and assigned a faculty adviser. Advisement is mandatory; majors are permitted to register each term only after their Course Request Forms have been approved by the departmental adviser. Students are encouraged to select their major field of study early in their academic careers to ensure orderly progress toward meeting degree requirements. To be admitted, students already enrolled in the University must have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in science and mathematics courses completed, as well as a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all courses taken at SIUE. Transfer students should have a 2.0 grade point average in science and mathematics courses taken at other colleges and universities.

Back to top

Academic Status

Students should show satisfactory academic progress to be retained in a degree program. Students may be dropped from the major for any of the following reasons: grade point average of 1.0 or below in any term cumulative grade point average of less than 2.0 in the major at any time any combination of withdrawal, incomplete, and failing grades in 50% or more of the courses for which the student is registered during two successive terms any combination of three withdrawal, incomplete, or failing grades in any single required course in Biology. For readmission, students must meet the same admission requirements as students entering the program for the first time.

Back to top

Graduation Requirements

The following requirements must be met in order to obtain a degree in Biological Sciences: earn a minimum of 124 hours of acceptable credit with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher complete the minimum number of credit hours required for a particular degree complete at least 12 hours of SIUE credit in major courses numbered above 319 with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above earn a GPA of 2.0 or above in all Biology courses numbered above 319 complete at least 6 hours of credit in Biology courses numbered above 319 earned at SIUE within 2 years preceding graduation. Duplicate credit hours earned (through proficiency, transfer, CLEP, or from a course) after credit has been received for similar or more advanced course work in the same subject at SIUE or elsewhere are not applicable toward graduation requirements.

Back to top

Advisement

Students interested in majoring in one of the options in Biology are advised to apply for a major as early as possible and to consult with a Biology adviser without delay. Students must complete all required academic development and high school deficiency courses must before declaring a Biology major. Students are informed in writing of advisement procedures and assigned a faculty adviser at the time of declaration. Students are required by the University to consult an adviser prior to registration each term. Enrollment in Biology major courses above 121 requires approval of a Biology adviser. Biology — particularly specializations in Medical Sciences, Secondary Education, and Medical Technology — requires strict course sequencing if requirements are to be completed in four years. An appointment for advisement may be made by calling the Biology Office at 618-650-3927. The adviser will be pleased to help students prepare a program of study in biological sciences with any one of six specializations.

Back to top

Academic Requirements/Academic Standards

All students pursuing a major in the biological sciences must adhere to the following academic standards in addition to those listed above. A grade of C or better is required in each of the major core courses (120, 121, 220, 319) before proceeding to the next core course and as prerequisite to courses numbered above 319. No more than 4 hours of D may be counted in the 36 hours required for a major in the biological sciences. The GPA in the major is based on all courses attempted in the major. Any student who receives four grades of D, E, or WF in Biology courses numbered 319 or lower is no longer permitted to enroll in biology classes for credit toward a Biology major. Residency and other requirements Majors in the biological sciences must complete at least 18 of the required hours in Biology at SIUE. At least two 400-level courses must be included in the 18 hours. Students may take as many as 8 hours of 491 and 493 together as electives, but these will not fulfill the 400-level course requirements. For graduation, all specializations require 28 hours in biology beyond the introductory level. Credit for a Biology major will be awarded for courses cross-listed with the Biology curriculum. One year of a foreign language is required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in all specializations. Students seeking a minor in the biological sciences must complete at least 9 of the 19 hours of Biology at SIUE and obtain a GPA of 2.0 or better in all Biology courses attempted at SIUE. Students seeking a minor in Biology and other students whose program requirements do not include Chemistry 121 may substitute Chemistry 120 for enrollment in any Biology course for which Chemistry 121 is listed as a prerequisite. All Biology options require Chemistry 121.

Back to top

Degree Requirements (from the 2006-2007 on-line catalog)
(Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)

Each specialization within the biological sciences major has distinct degree requirements selected to meet the needs of students choosing to focus on a particular interest.  The Integrative Biology specialization provides the broadest background in biology.  The Medical Science specialization is designed to prepare the pre-professional student for various health professions.  The Medical Technology specialization is designed to prepare students for careers in clinical laboratory science as medical technologists.  The Ecology, Evolution, & Environment and Genetic Engineering specializations require particular courses that prepare students for careers and postgraduate education in those areas.  The degree requirements for each specialization are located in the current SIUE undergraduate catalog. (Note: This is a .pdf file--you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to read any file from the SIUE on-line catalog. A free copy is available.)

Back to top

Minor Requirements in Biological Sciences

Students wishing to complete a minor in biological sciences must take a minimum of 19 hours of biology courses, at least 9 of which must be completed at SIUE, with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all biology courses attempted at SIUE. Due to the sequencing of courses, students are advised that it will normally take at least two years to complete the minor. Courses must include the following: BIOL 120, 121, 220, 319. The remaining hours may be completed with any course in biological sciences except 111, 491, 493 or 494. All the courses in this group have a chemistry pre-requisite. Please consult the biology adviser for details.

Back to top

Combined Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Program (3+2 Program)

Juniors with a grade point Average of 3.0 or better, with approval of the Graduate Committee in Biology and the Dean of the Graduate School, may pursue graduate work while completing the baccalaureate degree. Both degrees could be completed within five years under this arrangement. Admission to this program is based on departmental recommendation to and approval by the Graduate School. Students who are interested in this program option should seek advice from their faculty advisers early in their junior year. Please consult with a Biology adviser for additional details about this program.

Back to top

Combined Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Medicine Program (3+4 Program)

A unique combined arts and sciences dental curriculum that leads to the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Medicine (B.S./D.M.D. Program) is available for students interested in attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for their undergraduate degree. The pre-professional part of the curriculum is completed in just three years on the Edwardsville campus, and the four-year professional portion at the School of Dental Medicine in Alton, Illinois. Students interested in the dental program or the Combined Baccalaueate in Biology/Docortate in Dentistry (B.S./D.M.D.) Program should write to the Office of Admissions and Records, Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, 2800 College Avenue, Alton, IL 62002, or phone 618-474-7170.

Back to top