Biology Major: Pre-graduate/Pre-professional Option
Why study pregraduate/preprofessional biology at CMU?
The biology-related programs provide students with a strong background to prepare them for future careers or graduate study in biology. Consider some key features distinguishing these programs:
- Advanced facilities, including research laboratories, an animal room, a computer laboratory, electron microscopes, and a greenhouse
- The only university in Michigan and one of two in the Midwest that operates an island research station - the CMU Biological Research Station on Beaver Island located in northern Lake Michigan
- Fieldwork opportunities at Neithercut Woodland, located just miles north of CMU's campus
- CMU is the only university in the nation with a bachelor's degree option in microscopy
Career outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, for all occupations through the year 2014:
- Employment of biological scientists is projected to grow 9 to 17 percent.
- Recent budget increases at the National Institutes of Health have led to large increases in federal research and development expenditures.
- New industrial applications of biotechnology, such as changing how companies make ethanol for transportation fuel, also will spur demand for biological scientists.
Career options
Graduates of the biology-related programs at CMU will find a variety of career opportunities. Some of these may require additional education.
- Biological Researcher
- Cell Biologist
- Elementary or High School Teacher
- Forestry Technician
- Microscopist
- Soil Scientist
- University or College Professor
- Veterinarian
- Wildlife Biologist
- Zoologist
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires.
For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin
AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education
courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Biology Major: Pregraduate/Preprofessional Option
Pregraduate/Preprofessional option is for students who plan to enter a graduate or professional school after graduation from CMU.
( Total: 70-74 semester hours
Note: CHM 425 or 521, MTH 133, and CPS 110 OR CPS 150 are recommended courses. )
(7 hours)
Core Courses II
Students selecting the Pre-Graduate/Pre-Professional option are required to take 7 hours in addition to the required core courses. Choose from the options listed below:
3
BIO 324 Cell Biology
Cellular structure and function, including biological molecules, membranes, signaling, bioenergetics and metabolism, the cell cycle, information flow, and other cellular processes. Prerequisites: BIO 203 or 218; 208; One of: BIO 101, 105, 110; One of: CHM 120, 127, 342 or CHM 131, 132 or CHM 161.
4
BIO 391 Plant Physiology
The study of plant function including processes such as photosynthesis, water movement, growth and development, and plant response to environmental stress. Prerequisites: BIO 203; CHM 120, 127 or 132 or 161.
3
BIO 324 Cell Biology
Cellular structure and function, including biological molecules, membranes, signaling, bioenergetics and metabolism, the cell cycle, information flow, and other cellular processes. Prerequisites: BIO 203 or 218; 208; One of: BIO 101, 105, 110; One of: CHM 120, 127, 342 or CHM 131, 132 or CHM 161.
4
BIO 392 Mammalian Physiology
The functioning of the mammalian body and its component parts, with an emphasis on human systems. Prerequisites: 45 credits completed; BIO 208; One of: CHM 132, 161, 342.
(20 hours)
Core Courses I
4
BIO 110 Concepts of Biology
Fundamental concepts of biology including the chemical basis of life, cell structure and function, molecular and transmission genetics, evolution and ecology. Satisfies University Program Group II laboratory requirement (Group II-A). May be applied towards fulfilling the requirements of any Biology major or minor. Students may only earn credit in one of the following: BIO 101, BIO 105, or BIO 110. Recommended: High school chemistry or CHM 120 and 127 or 131 or 161.
3
BIO 203 General Botany
Study of the structure, function, physiology, evolution, diversity and ecology of plants. Prerequisites: One of the following: BIO 101, 105 or 110
3
BIO 208 Microbiology
The biology of microorganisms: bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, algae, and protozoa. Prerequisites: One of the following: BIO 101, 105 or 110.
3
BIO 218 General Zoology
A general survey of the animal kingdom with emphasis on phylogeny, taxonomy, structure, physiology, and ecology of type examples of the major phyla. Prerequisite: BIO 101 or BIO 105.
4
BIO 326 Genetics
The principles of heredity dealing with the location, transmission, structure and function of genes and the results of modern genetic techniques. Prerequisites: BIO 208; One of BIO 101, 105, 110.
3
BIO 340 Ecology
Interaction among plants, animals, man, and the environment. Prerequisite: Completion of University Program Group II (Natural Sciences) and a minimum of 45 hours of University credit.
(20 hours)
Required Courses II
3
CHM 345 Organic Chemistry I
Overview of common organic reactions. Reactions of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and alkyl halides, Ultraviolet/Visible, Infrared, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry. Prerequisite: CHM 132 or 161.
3
CHM 346 Organic Chemistry II
Continuation of CHM 345. Overview of common organic reactions of aromatic compounds, alcohols, carbonyl compounds, and amines. Prerequisite: CHM 345.
2
CHM 349 Introduction to Organic Chemistry Lab
Fundamental laboratory techniques in organic chemistry. Methods of synthesis, separation and purification of organic compounds. Introduction to applications of infrared and NMR spectroscopy. Prerequisite: CHM 345. Co-requisite: CHM 346.
4
MTH 132 Calculus I
Limits, continuity, interpretations of the derivative, differentiation of elementary functions, applications of derivatives, antiderivatives, Riemann sums, definite integrals, fundamental theorem of calculus. Prerequisite: MTH 130. (University Program Group II-B)
4
PHY 130 College Physics I
Mechanics, heat, kinetic theory, and sound. The mathematics used is algebra and trigonometry. The sequences PHY 130-131, PHY 170-171 satisfy minimum requirements for medical and dental schools. Prerequisites: MTH 106. (University Program Group II-B)
4
PHY 131 College Physics II
A continuation of PHY 130 that covers the topics of electricity, magnetism, optics and modern physics. Prerequisite: PHY 130.
(8-9 hours)
Required Courses I
Select one of the following options
4
CHM 131 Introduction to Chemistry I
Fundamental concepts of chemistry including stoichiometry, gas laws, thermochemistry, and molecular structure. CHM 131 and 132 are recommended to constitute the standard one-year course for science majors. Recommended: High school Algebra II or MTH 107 (preferably with a B or better); high school chemistry or CHM 120. (University Program Group II-B)
4
CHM 132 Introduction to Chemistry II
Continuation of CHM 131 including solutions, kinetics, equilibrium, weak acids and bases, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry. Prerequisite: CHM 131. Recommended: a grade of C or better in CHM 131.
5
CHM 161 Principles of Chemistry
Intensive introduction to chemical principles for the well-prepared, motivated student. Satisfies University Program Group II laboratory requirements. Recommended: High school Algebra II or MTH 107 (preferably with a B or better); high school chemistry or CHM 120. (University Program Group II-B).
4
CHM 211 Quantitative Analysis
Analysis and interpretation of quantitative chemical information from volumetric, electrochemical, spectroscopic, and chromatographic techniques. Prerequisite: CHM 132 or 161. Recommended: MTH 107.
(3 hours)
Other Requirements I
Select one of the following:
( If BIO 500 is selected, it may count toward the 42 hours required in BIO. )
3
BIO 500 Biological Statistics
An introduction to biological statistics; emphasis on concepts of descriptive statistics and central tendency, inferential statistics, one-way ANOVA and correlation/linear regression. Prerequisites: Graduate standing or twelve (12) hours of biology.
3
STA 382 Elementary Statistical Analysis
An introduction to statistical analysis. Topics will include descriptive statistics, probability, sampling distributions, statistical inference, and regression. Greater emphasis than in STA 282 will be placed on probability theory and probability distribution. Credit may not be earned in both STA 282 and STA 382. Prerequisite: MTH 130.
Biology electives to be selected in consultation with a biology advisor. BIO 403 is recommended as an elective course.