Biology
Contact Information Jim Nichols, Chair ACU Box 27868 Abilene, Texas 79699-7868 Foster Science Building, Room 477
Phone: 325-674-2188 Fax: 325-674-2009 Email: nicholsj@acu.edu Web: www.acu.edu/biology
Page Links: • Life Science (One-Field Teacher Certification | Faculty Junhui Bian, Associate Professor Daniel K. Brannan, Professor Patricia Hernandez, Professor Tom Lee, Professor Charles Mattis, Associate Professor James R. Nichols, Professor Thomas J. Pirtle, Assistant Professor Roy Shake, Senior Faculty
Majors: Biology, High School Certification Minor: Biology
Course Descriptions |
The Department of Biology offers the Bachelor of Science degree and the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in biology or biology for teacher certification. The department works with the Department of Curriculum and Instruction to offer a Bachelor of Science: High School Certification Life Science (Grades 8-12) degree. A minor in biology may be added to other majors.
Introduction
The Department of Biology educates students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world by preparing them to become biological scientists, pre-college teachers and health-care professionals. The Bachelor of Science: High School Certification Life Science (Grades 8-12) is the avenue for preparation of pre-college teachers. The Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in biology are the avenues for:
• Cellular/molecular biology emphasis. Much of modern biology exists at the interface
of biology and chemistry. Through effective classes, laboratories and research
opportunities the Department of Biology effectively draws students to the
molecular/biochemical level of life. Many students in health-care professions also choose
this emphasis.
• Organismal biology/field emphasis. An array of field biology oriented courses,
research opportunities, and field trips to such sites as Honduras, Big Bend, Texas, and
New Mexico offer study experiences in marine, fresh water, and land ecosystems. These
opportunities are supplemented by ACU being a participating university with the Au Sable
Institute. Au Sable offers field courses in the beautiful north woods country of Michigan’s
Lower Peninsula and on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound between Vancouver and Seattle.
Au Sable’s mission is “the integration of knowledge of the creation with biblical principles
for the purpose of bringing the Christian community and the general public to a better
understanding of the Creator and the stewardship of God’s creation.” This fits well with
the goal of ACU’s Biology Department.
• Health professions/human biology emphasis. Historically ACU Biology graduates
have been accepted to medical and dental schools, as well as other health-care
programs, at a far higher percentage than the national average. This is a result of high
quality classes and laboratories emphasizing human biology and the leveling effect of
learning to use human healing gifts in God’s service. Medical missions receives clear
emphasis in the Department and many students participate during their career in one or
more medical missions trips, many of them coordinated through our long-term
relationship with Health Talents International (HTI). The majority of these efforts are in
Guatemala. HTI’s missions is “to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ through teaching and
healing ministries.” ACU’s relationship with HTI provides students an opportunity to blend
faith and learning in an applied manner that serves the spiritual and physical health
needs of others throughout the world.
• General biology emphasis. Some students prefer to pursue a more general biology
program that allows them to touch many different areas. Past students have used this
emphasis to enter law school, gain employment in industry or government, or in science
writing.
• Biology/business emphasis. Students interested in mixing a strong biology education
with some key courses from the world of business would find this track helpful. It includes
a full set of biology courses and adds basic courses in such areas as accounting,
management, and marketing. Students might use this emphasis to lead toward a career
in health care administration, pharmaceutical sales, or law.
Study Abroad Expectations
All students are encouraged to participate in ACU’s Study Abroad program. Classes offered at Study Abroad sites vary depending on the site. Academic advisors can assist students in planning ahead for their Study Abroad experience and should be consulted during the freshman year.
Bachelor of Science Degree (BS)
The Bachelor of Science degree in biology is needed for most graduate schools with programs in the biological sciences. Most health professions schools require a bachelor’s degree in any field including all of the liberal arts, provided the prerequisite science and math courses are taken. Discuss the specific requirements with the pre-health professions advisor.
Admission Requirements
Before being admitted to the BS in biology, a student must satisfy the requirements listed in the ACT/SAT Placement Information section of this catalog.
BIOLOGY (BS)
BS: BIOLOGY DEGREE PLAN (BIOL) ______________________________________________________________________ | |
|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY CORE | |
| Bible | |
BIBL 101 Life and Teachings of Jesus .................................................................... BIBL 102 Acts-Revelation ..................................................................................... BIBL 211 Message of the Old Testament ................................................................ BIBL 212 Christianity in Culture ............................................................................ Advanced Bible ................................................................................................... | 3 3 3 3 3 |
| English | |
ENGL 111 Composition and Rhetoric ..................................................................... Literature ........................................................................................................... | 3 3 |
| Speech | |
| COMS 111 Fundamentals of Communication .......................................................... | 3 |
| History | |
| HIST 100-299 ..................................................................................................... | 3 |
| Science | |
CHEM 133 General Chemistry I ............................................................................ PHYS 110 General Physics ................................................................................... | 3 3 |
| Mathematics | |
| MATH 124 Precalculus II or MATH 185 Calculus I ...................................................................................... |
3 |
| Exercise Science | |
| EXSC 100 + 3 activities ....................................................................................... | 4 |
| University Seminar | |
| UNIV 100 ........................................................................................................... | 1 |
| TOTAL UNIVERSITY CORE ...................................................................................... | 41 |
| BS DEGREE CORE | |
| English | |
| ENGL 112 Composition and Literature ................................................................... | 3 |
| Social Sciences/Humanities | |
| Choose from: anthropology, economics (also AGRB 261), geography, history, philosophy, political science, psychology (also EDUC 221), sociology (maximum one course per area) .................................................................... |
9 |
| Fine Arts | |
| Choose one: ART 101, MUSM 230, THEA 220 or THEA 250 ...................................... | 3 |
| TOTAL BS CORE ..................................................................................................... | 15 |
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | |
| Biology | |
BIOL 112/114 General Biology I Lecture/Lab ......................................................... BIOL 113/115 General Biology II Lecture/Lab ........................................................ BIOL 221/223 Animal Biology Lecture/Lab or BIOL 222/224 Plant Biology Lecture/Lab ........................................................... BIOL 312 Cell Biology .......................................................................................... BIOL 362 Ecology ................................................................................................ BIOL 497 Seminar in Biology ................................................................................ | 4 4
4 3 3 1 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 19 |
| SUPPLEMENT FOR MAJOR (TRACKS) | |
| CELLULAR/MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Track (BICM) | |
BIOL 472 Biochemistry I ...................................................................................... BIOL 475 Molecular Genetics ................................................................................ BIOL 476 Biotechnology Laboratory ...................................................................... BIOL Selections 13 hours of which 9 hours of 300-499 ............................................ | 3 3 2 13 |
| TOTAL ................................................................................................................... | 21 |
GENERAL BIOLOGY Track (BIOG) | |
| 21 hours BIOL of which 17 hours of 300-499 .......................................................... | 21 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 21 |
| HEALTH PROFESSIONS Track (BIOH) | |
BIOL 355/357 Microbiology .................................................................................. BIOL 491/493 Human Anatomy ............................................................................ BIOL 492/495 Physiology ..................................................................................... BIOL Selections 9 hours of which 5 hours are 300-499 ............................................ | 4 4 4 9 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 21 |
| ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY Track (BIOO) | |
BIOL 492 Physiology ........................................................................................... 8 hours from Field Biology, Mammalogy, Marine, Behavioral Biology ........................ BIOL Selections 10 hours of which 6 hours are 300-499 .......................................... | 3 8 10 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 21 |
| BIOLOGY/BUSINESS Track (BIOB) | |
| BIOL Selections 21 hours of which 17 hours are 300-499 ........................................ | 21 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 21 |
| SUPPLEMENT FOR MAJOR (BICM, BIOG, BIOH, BIOO) | |
| Chemistry | |
CHEM 131 General Chemistry I Lab ...................................................................... CHEM 132/134 General Chemistry II Lecture/Lab ................................................... CHEM 221/223 Organic Chemistry I Lecture/Lab .................................................... CHEM 322/324 Organic Chemistry II Lecture/Lab ................................................... | 1 4 4 4 |
| Physics | |
PHYS 111 General Physics I Lab ........................................................................... PHYS 112/113 General Physics II Lecture/Lab ........................................................ | 1 4 |
| Literature | |
| (not including EDUC 250 or ENGL 351) .................................................................. | 3 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 21 |
| SUPPLEMENT FOR MAJOR (BIOB) | |
| Chemistry | |
CHEM 131 General Chemistry I Lab ...................................................................... CHEM 132/134 General Chemistry II Lecture/Lab ................................................... | 1 4 |
| College of Business Administration | |
ACCT 210 Financial Accounting ............................................................................. FIN 310 Financial Management ............................................................................. MKTG 340 Principles of Marketing or MKTG 343 Personal Selling .............................................................................. MGMT 330 Management and Organizational Behavior ............................................. | 3 3
3 3 |
| Literature | |
| (Not including ENGL 351) ..................................................................................... | 3 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 20 |
| ELECTIVES | |
Minimum (BICM, BIOG, BIOH, BIOO) .................................................................... Minimum (BIOB) ................................................................................................. | 11 12 |
| OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS | |
Minimum GPA in major ........................................................................................ Minimum GPA for graduation ................................................................................ Minimum advanced hours .................................................................................... Minimum total hours ............................................................................................ | 2.00 2.00 33 128 |
Courses numbered 0** do not count in minimum hours required for degree. | |
LIFE SCIENCE (ONE-FIELD TEACHER CERTIFICATION GRADES 8-12) (BS)
BS: HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER CERTIFICATION – LIFE SCIENCE (GRADES 8-12) DEGREE PLAN (BIOT) ______________________________________________________________________ | |
|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY CORE | |
| Bible | |
| BIBL 101 Life and Teachings of Jesus .................................................................... BIBL 102 Acts-Revelation ..................................................................................... BIBL 211 Message of the Old Testament ................................................................ BIBL 212 Christianity in Culture ............................................................................ Advanced Bible ................................................................................................... | 3 3 3 3 3 |
| English | |
ENGL 111 Composition and Rhetoric ..................................................................... Literature – choose one: ENGL 221, 231, 262 ......................................................... | 3 3 |
| Speech | |
| COMS 111 Fundamentals of Communication .......................................................... | 3 |
History | |
| HIST 221 American History I ................................................................................ | 3 |
| Science | |
CHEM 133 General Chemistry I ............................................................................ CHEM 134 General Chemistry II ........................................................................... | 3 3 |
| Mathematics | |
| MATH 109, 124 or 185 ......................................................................................... | 3 |
| Exercise Science | |
| EXSC 100 + 3 activities ....................................................................................... | 4 |
| University Seminar | |
| UNIV 100 ........................................................................................................... | 1 |
| TOTAL UNIVERSITY CORE ...................................................................................... | 41 |
| BS DEGREE CORE | |
| English | |
ENGL 112 Composition and Literature ................................................................... | 3 |
| Social Sciences/Humanities | |
HIST 222 American History II ............................................................................... POLS 226 States and Federal System .................................................................... SOCI 442 Cultural Diversity ................................................................................. | 3 3 3 |
| Fine Arts | |
Choose one: ART 101, MUSM 230, THEA 220 or THEA 250 ...................................... | 3 |
| TOTAL BS CORE ..................................................................................................... | 15 |
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | |
| Biology | |
BIOL 112/114 General Biology I Lecture/Lab ......................................................... BIOL 113/115 General Biology II Lecture/Lab ........................................................ BIOL 221/223 Animal Biology Lecture/Lab or BIOL 222/224 Plant Biology Lecture/Lab ........................................................... BIOL 312/313 Cell Biology* ................................................................................. BIOL 353/357 General Microbiology Lecture/Lab .................................................... BIOL 362/364 Ecology Lecture/Lab ....................................................................... BIOL 492/495 Physiology Lecture/Lab* ................................................................. BIOL 497 Seminar in Biology ................................................................................ Additional Advanced Biology ................................................................................ | 4 4
4 3-4 4 4 3-4 1 3 |
*Students required to take only one of these labs. | |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................. | 31 |
| SUPPLEMENT FOR MAJOR | |
| Other | |
CHEM 131 General Chemistry I Lab ...................................................................... CHEM 132 General Chemistry II Lab ..................................................................... Literature – choose one: ENGL 222, 232, 263* ....................................................... READ 322 Reading in Secondary Content Areas ..................................................... SPED 371 Teaching Students with Special Needs .................................................... | 1 1 3 3 3 |
*Students must continue the sequence chosen in the University Core. | |
| Professional Education | |
EDUC 211 Educational Foundations and Multi-cultural Perspective ............................ EDUC 221 Educational Psychology ........................................................................ EDUC 412 Secondary Curriculum and Media .......................................................... EDUC 432 Secondary Management and Methods .................................................... EDUC 492 Student Teaching: High School .............................................................. | 3 3 3 3 6 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 29 |
| ELECTIVES | |
| Minimum ............................................................................................................ | 12 |
| CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION TO TEACHER EDUCATION | |
Before taking more than 6 hours of any combination of EDUC classes, a student must first be admitted to the Teacher Education Program.
To be admitted to the Teacher Education Program, a students must: 1. Complete and submit an application for admission into the Teacher Education Program; 2. Be enrolled in or have completed the first 45 semester hours of credit; 3. Have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.7 (2.7 or higher in the content field); 4. Complete 6 hours of University Core English with no grade lower than a “C”; 5. Pass all three sections of the Texas Higher Education assessment (THEA) test, with a score 6. Be enrolled in or successfully complete (“C” or better) EDUC 211 Educational Foundations 7. Receive approval from the Teacher Education Admissions and Review Committee.
Any exemptions or modifications to the above requirements due to special circumstances must be requested through the chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. All requests will be reviewed and must be approved by the Teacher Education Admissions and Review Committee. In addition, admission to teacher education is not the final step in the process. In order to remain in the program, the prospective teacher must continue to meet the GPA requirement (2.7). Approval to take Education Block classes (411/412 and 431/432) and to enroll in student teaching must be obtained from the Teacher Education Admissions and Review Committee before enrolling in those classes. | |
| OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS | |
Minimum grade for majors courses ....................................................................... Minimum GPA for graduation ................................................................................ Minimum advanced hours .................................................................................... Minimum total hours ............................................................................................ | C 2.70 33 128 |
Courses numbered 0** do not count in minimum hours required for degree. | |
The Bachelor of Arts degree in biology serves as a professional degree for those who typically do not wish to pursue graduate work in the biomedical or laboratory sciences. It may serve as a foundation for field and ecological sciences provided a sufficient statistics course is also taken. It may serve as a solid liberal arts degree for students wishing to pursue science writing, for example.
Admission Requirements
Before being admitted to a program, a student must satisfy the requirements listed in the ACT/SAT Placement Information section of this catalog.
BIOLOGY (BA)
BA: BIOLOGY DEGREE PLAN (BIOL) ______________________________________________________________________ | |
|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY CORE | |
| Bible | |
| BIBL 101 Life and Teachings of Jesus .................................................................... BIBL 102 Acts-Revelation ..................................................................................... BIBL 211 Message of the Old Testament ................................................................ BIBL 212 Christianity in Culture ............................................................................ Advanced Bible ................................................................................................... | 3 3 3 3 3 |
| English | |
| ENGL 111 Composition and Rhetoric ..................................................................... Literature ........................................................................................................... | 3 3 |
| Speech | |
| COMS 111 Fundamentals of Communication .......................................................... | 3 |
| History | |
| HIST 100-299 ..................................................................................................... | 3 |
| Science | |
| CHEM 113 Introductory Chemistry and CHEM 114 Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry or CHEM 133 General Chemistry I (requires MATH 109, 124, or 185 or placement into MATH 124 or 185)and |
6 |
| Mathematics | |
| MATH 120, MATH 123, MATW 120/020 or higher (except MATH 147) ......................... | 3 |
| Exercise Science | |
| EXSC 100 + 3 activities ....................................................................................... | 4 |
| University Seminar | |
| UNIV 100 ........................................................................................................... | 1 |
| TOTAL UNIVERSITY CORE ...................................................................................... | 41 |
| BA DEGREE CORE | |
| English | |
ENGL 112 Composition and Literature ................................................................... Literature ........................................................................................................... | 3 3 |
| Social Sciences/Humanities | |
| Choose from: anthropology, economics (also AGRB 261), geography, history, philosophy, political science, psychology (also EDUC 221), sociology (maximum one course per area) ..................................................................... |
9 |
| Foreign Language | |
| FLFR, FLGE, FLLA, FLSP 221, 222 .......................................................................... | 6 |
| Fine Arts | |
| Choose one: ART 101, MUSM 230, THEA 220 or THEA 250 ...................................... | 3 |
| TOTAL BA CORE ..................................................................................................... | 24 |
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | |
| Biology | |
BIOL 112/114 General Biology I Lecture/Lab ......................................................... BIOL 113/115 General Biology II Lecture/Lab ........................................................ BIOL 221/223 Animal Biology Lecture/Lab or BIOL 222/224 Plant Biology Lecture/Lab ........................................................... BIOL 497 Seminar in Biology ................................................................................ Advanced Biology (BIOL 300-499) ........................................................................ | 4 4
4 1 17 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 30 |
| SUPPLEMENT FOR MAJOR | |
| Chemistry | |
| CHEM 111 Introductory Chemistry Lab and CHEM 112 Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry Lab or CHEM 131 General Chemistry I Lab and CHEM 132 General Chemistry II Lab ................................................................ |
2 |
| Course Concentration | |
| Courses in another department (required CHEM and General Education courses are excluded) .................................................................................... |
12 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 14 |
| ELECTIVES | |
| Minimum ............................................................................................................ | 19 |
| OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS | |
Minimum GPA in major ........................................................................................ Minimum GPA for graduation ................................................................................ Minimum advanced hours .................................................................................... Minimum total hours ............................................................................................ | 2.00 2.00 33 128 |
Courses numbered 0** do not count in minimum hours required for degree. | |
Cooperative Bachelor of Science Degrees (BS)
ACU awards the bachelor’s degree to certain qualified students who have satisfactorily completed three years of prescribed work at ACU (a minimum of 104 hours) plus one year at a recognized professional school. Students in the cooperative degree program are advised by the advisors for health professions (see the Academic Advising section of this catalog). See the Health Professions Cooperative Degree in the Interdisciplinary Programs section of this catalog for complete course requirements.
Admission Requirements
Before being admitted to a program, a student must satisfy the requirements listed in the ACT/SAT Placement Information section of this catalog.
Minor in Biology
| MINOR: BIOLOGY (BIOL) | |
|---|---|
| Biology selections from: | |
| BIOL 100-299 ..................................................................................................... | 12 |
| Advanced biology selections from: | |
| BIOL 300-499 ..................................................................................................... | 6 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 18 |
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