Nov 20, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Biology BS


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The biology major offers “Core Quality” structured around core classes that provide the foundation of the biological studies. From there, the biology major has six emphases: General Biology, Medical Laboratory Science, Pre-Chiropractic Articulation, Pre-Professional/Health Science, Pre-Nursing, and Life Science. These emphases allow students to tailor their studies to individual career goals and provide them with “Choice Content.”

Students majoring in Biology must complete the 26-credit biological science core and the additional 25-43 credits in a specific area of emphasis. Only one emphasis area may be completed.

Credits: 26


General Biology Emphasis


The possibilities are wide and varied for an individual with a general biology emphasis. This emphasis prepares a student for a career in the biological sciences, plant or animal care and research, for positions in biological industry, and for entrance into graduate programs in biology. Skills in biology can also be combined with skills in art (medical illustration, molecular modeling), math (biostatistics, epidemiology), law (biotechnology patents), and public health (food safety, drug testing, and quality control) for even wider career paths.

Life Science Emphasis


The life science emphasis is intended for students who wish to go into scientific industry or for students who wish to combine a background in biology with other majors or minors for career preparation or as preparation for graduate study. 

Medical Laboratory Science Emphasis


Clinical or medical laboratory scientists collect and analyze samples to aid in the diagnosis and appropriate treatment of patients with disease. This emphasis prepares a student for entrance into programs certified by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). For example, UIU graduates have furthered their careers through the Medical Laboratory Science Program at the Mayo Clinic.

Pre-Chiropractic Articulation Emphasis


This emphasis allows students to take advantage of the articulation agreements with institutions offering a doctorate in chiropractic degree and enter the chiropractic institution after three years at Upper Iowa University. Students completing the emphasis will receive their degree in biology from Upper Iowa University after completion and transfer of first year coursework specific to the institution with which the articulation is held.

Pre-Nursing Emphasis


After successfully completing 90 credits including the Biology Core, the courses in this emphasis, and fulfilling all of The Peacock Professional Experience (“general education”)  requirements, a student may matriculate at Allen College into the Accelerated BSN program and transfer 30 credits from their first year back to UIU to reach 120 credits and graduate from UIU, or complete the last 30 credits (including BIO 496 ) to reach 120 at UIU. In either case, the student will receive a B.S. degree with a major in Biology from UIU. Credit transferred from Allen College replaces BIO 496  in the core for 3+1 students, but BIO 496  must be taken at UIU if the student completes the entire major at UIU.

Note: In order to matriculate into the Accelerated BSN at Allen College, the student must have CNA certification.

Pre-Professional/Health Science Emphasis


This emphasis prepares a student for entrance into professional programs such as medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, chiropractic, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and veterinary medicine programs. The addition of a minor in chemistry can provide even more robust preparation for professional programs.Visit uiu.edu/academics/pre-professional-students for pre-professional students for more information and a comparison of courses commonly required by professional programs.

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