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Biology (BS)

Hours - 56 Credit Hours
Effective Sep. 2023
Last Revision 5/24/2023
Faculty Unit Assignment: Faculty of Sciences
Sponsoring Program: Biology
Holokai Category: Math & Sciences

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Program

The Discipline

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Program Requirements


General Biology Core — 11 Credits

This degree has core requirements and then allows students to focus on the areas that they wish. However, the degree does not have official "emphases." It is up to the student, in discussion with their advisor and professors, to choose the courses that will best serve them as they prepare for a career or for graduate school.

Course Number Title Semesters Offered Credit Hours Prerequisites
BIOL 112 Biology I - Cell and Molecular Biology F, W, S 3.0 Co-requisite: BIOL 112L
BIOL 112L Biology I - Cell and Molecular Biology Lab F, W, S 1.0 Co- or pre-req: BIOL 112
BIOL 113 Biology II - Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology F, W, S 3.0 BIOL 112/L
BIOL 490R Current Topics in Biology F, W, S 1.0 Senior status with 90+ credits
BIOL 340 or Biostatistics or S 3.0 BIOL 113, MATH 107 or 110
MATH 121 Principles of Statistics F, W, S 3.0 MATH 107 or MATH 110 or ACCT 186 or Score 24 on Math Section of the ACT or 590 on Math Section of the SAT


General Chemistry Core — 4 or 7 Credits

The CHEM 105/106/107L sequence is recommended for students wishing to go on to advanced degrees in marine science, biochemistry, or medical fields. The CHEM 101/101L sequence is recommended for students intending to go into environmental science fields. However, graduate programs vary. Students should get advice from their academic advisors and faculty members if they have questions about which sequence to take.

Course Number Title Semester Offered Credit Hours Prerequisites
CHEM 101 Introduction to General Chemistry F, W 3.0
CHEM 101L Introduction to Chemistry Lab F, W 1.0 Pre- or corequisite: CHEM 101

OR

Course Number Title Semester Offered Credit Hours Prerequisites
CHEM 105 General Chemistry I F, W 3.0 MATH 110 with a C- or better (MATH 110 can be a corequisite if MATH 101 was completed-see Advisor), or ACT Math score 24+, or SAT Math score 590+. High school chemistry or CHEM 101 highly recommended.
CHEM 106 General Chemistry II W, S 3.0 CHEM 105 w/C- or better
CHEM 107L General Chemistry Laboratory F, W, S 1.0 Pre- or corequisite: CHEM 106


Biology Electives

The combined credit total of the biology core, chemistry core, and electives should equal a minimum of 56 credits.

Courses in Marine Biology

Course Number Title Semesters Offered Credit Hours Prerequisites
BIOL 204 Pacific Natural History S 2.0 BIOL 113
BIOL 204L Pacific Natural History Lab S 2.0 BIOL 113. Co-requisite: BIOL 204
BIOL 312 Marine Biology F, S 3.0 BIOL 113. Co-requisite: BIOL 312L (BIOL 304/L recommended)
BIOL 312L Marine Biology Lab F, S 1.0 BIOL 113. Co-requisite: BIOL 312 (BIOL 304/L recommended)
BIOL 304 Marine Biodiversity F 3.0 BIOL 113. Co-requisite: BIOL 304L
BIOL 304L Marine Biodiversity Lab F 1.0 BIOL 113. Co-requisite: BIOL 304
BIOL 412 Coral Reef Ecology W 3.0 BIOL 312/L, CHEM 101/L or CHEM 106 and CHEM 107L. Co-requisite: BIOL 412L
BIOL 412L Coral Reef Ecology Lab W 1.0 BIOL 312/L, CHEM 101/L or CHEM 106 and CHEM 107L. Co-requisite: BIOL 412
OCEN 201 Oceanography and Marine Science F, W, S 3.0 Any college-level natural science course of CHEM, BIOL, PHYS, PHSC, or GEOL

Courses in Environmental Conservation

Course Number Title Semesters Offered Credit Hours Prerequisites
BIOL 248 Conservation Biology W, S 3.0 BIOL 113
BIOL 348 Natural Resource Management W 3.0 BIOL 113, CHEM 101/L or CHEM 106 and CHEM 107L. Co-requisite: BIOL 348L
BIOL 348L Natural Resource Management Lab W 1.0 BIOL 113, CHEM 101/L or CHEM 106 and CHEM 107L. Co-requisite: BIOL 348
BIOL 350 Ecology F 3.0 BIOL 113, CHEM 101/L or CHEM 106 and CHEM 107L. Corequisite: BIOL 350L
BIOL 350L Ecology Lab F 1.0 BIOL 113, CHEM 101/L or CHEM 106 and CHEM 107L. Corequisite: BIOL 350
BIOL 374 Evolution and Human Prehistory W 3.0 BIOL 113
GEOL 105 Geology of the Pacific F, W 3.0
GEOL 106 Field Geology of Hawaii S 1.0 GEOL 105

Courses in Molecular and Cell Biology

Course Number Title Semesters Offered Credit Hours Prerequisites
BIOL 320 Microbiology W, S 3.0 BIOL 113, CHEM 101/L or CHEM 106 and CHEM 107L. Co-requisite: BIOL 320L
BIOL 320L Microbiology Lab W, S 1.0 BIOL 113, CHEM 101/L or CHEM 106 and CHEM 107L. Co-requisite: BIOL 320
BIOL 376 Genetics W, S 3.0 BIOL 112/L, CHEM 105
BIOL 441 Molecular Biology F 3.0 BIOL 113, CHEM 101/L or CHEM 106 and CHEM 107L, BIOL 320 or BIOL 376 or CHEM 481
BIOL 442 Cellular Biology W 3.0 BIOL 113, CHEM 101/L or CHEM 106 and CHEM 107L, BIOL 320 or BIOL 376 or CHEM 481
BIOL 484L Biomolecular Methods Lab – Nucleic Acids F, W, S 1.0 Co- or prerequisite: BIOL 376 or BIOL 441
BIOL 485L Biomolecular Methods Lab – Mammalian Cells W 1.0 Co- or prerequisite: Any of the following: CHEM 481, BIOL 441 or BIOL 442

Courses in Organismal Biology

Course Number Title Semesters Offered Credit Hours Prerequisites
BIOL 260C Human Anatomy – Cadaver Based W 3.0 BIOL 112/L or BIOL 101, CHEM 101/L or CHEM 105. Co-requisite: BIOL 260LC
BIOL 260LC Human Anatomy Lab – Cadaver Based W 1.0 BIOL 112/L or BIOL 101, CHEM 101/L or CHEM 105. Co-requisite: BIOL 260C
BIOL 261 Human Physiology F, W 3.0 BIOL 112/L or BIOL 101, CHEM 101/L or CHEM 105. Co-requisite: BIOL 261L
BIOL 261L Human Physiology Lab F, W 1.0 BIOL 112/L or BIOL 101, CHEM 101/L or CHEM 105. Co-requisite: BIOL 261
BIOL 300 Animal Behavior F 3.0 BIOL 113, CHEM 101/L or CHEM 106 and CHEM 107L. Co-requisite: BIOL 300L
BIOL 300L Animal Behavior Lab F 1.0 BIOL 113, CHEM 101/L or CHEM 106 and CHEM 107L. Co-requisite: BIOL 300
BIOL 390R Special Topics in Biology Variable 3.0 - 4.0 Co-requisite: BIOL 390RL
BIOL 390RL Special Topics in Biology Laboratory Variable 1.0 Co-requisite: BIOL 390R
BIOL 460 Advanced Human Anatomy F 3.0 BIOL 260C/LC w/C- or better and permission of Instructor

Courses in Chemistry and Physics

Course Number Title Semesters Offered Credit Hours Prerequisites
CHEM 201 Lab safety F, W, S 1.0 CHEM 105
CHEM 351 Organic Chemistry I F, W 3.0 CHEM 106 w/C- or better
CHEM 351L Organic Chemistry I Lab F 1.0 CHEM 107L. Co- or prerequisites: CHEM 351 and CHEM 201
CHEM 352 Organic Chemistry II F, W 3.0 CHEM 351 w/C- or better
CHEM 352L Organic Chemistry II Lab W 1.0 CHEM 351/L and co- or prerequisite: CHEM 352
CHEM 481 Biochemistry I F, S 3.0 BIOL 112/L w/C- or better, CHEM 351 w/C- or better
CHEM 483L Biochemistry Methods Lab – Proteins F, S 1.0 CHEM 351L. Co- or prerequisite: CHEM 481
MATH 212 Calculus I F, W, S 5.0
PHYS 105 or College Physics I F, S 3.0 MATH 110 and 111 and passing a comprehensive mathematics exam during the first week of the semester. Sample math exam available in Canvas.
PHYS 205 Physics I F 4.0 MATH 212 and either High School Trigonometry or MATH 111 and passing a comprehensive mathematics exam during the first week of the semester. Sample math exam available in Canvas.
PHYS 106 or College Physics II W 3.0 PHYS 105 w/C- or better
PHYS 206 Physics II W 4.0 PHYS 205
PHYS 155L Physics I Lab F, S 1.0 Pre- or corequisite: PHYS 105 or PHYS 205
PHYS 156L Physics II Lab W 1.0 Pre- or corequisite: PHYS 106 or PHYS 206

Research

Up to 3 credits can be counted toward the biology degree

Course Number Title Semesters Offered Credit Hours Prerequisites
BIOL 497RStudent Mentored ResearchF, W, S1.0Instructor approval
CHEM 497RStudent Mentored ResearchF, W, S1.0Instructor approval

Policy Courses

Up to 6 credits can be counted towards the biology degree

Course Number Title Semesters Offered Credit Hours Prerequisites
HWST 312 Malama 'Aina - Land Responsibility F, W, S 3.0
HWST 380 Malama Wa'a - Sea Responsibility Variable 3.0 HWST 101, 312, or permission of instructor
IPB 332 Peace Ecology S 3.0 IPB 121
POSC 101 Introduction to Politics F, W, S 3.0
POSC 322 Oceanic Governments and Politics W 3.0
POSC 330 Introduction to Public Administration W 3.0
POSC 340 Asian Governments and International Relations W 3.0


Notes:

  • No class can be repeated more than once.
  • No more than 9 credits of D grade.
  • Students must complete 24 credits of upper level (300 level or above) courses.
  • At least 18 credits of electives must be designated as BIOL.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completing a major in biology, students will:

  1. Possess knowledge of the fundamental physical, chemical and biological principles and laws governing nature and life itself.
  2. Perform essential laboratory techniques, and employ scientific principles and laboratory skills to solve scientific problems.
  3. Convey scientific ideas and knowledge clearly and professionally, in both written and oral forms.
  4. Analyze and evaluate relevant scientific literature.

The Discipline

The biology major provides a rigorous research-based education for students, with a basic foundation in the life sciences. Special emphasis is placed on providing opportunities for students to participate in meaningful research in areas such as anatomy, genetics, physiology, molecular biology, evolution, natural history, and marine biology. This major seeks to prepare students for professional careers in teaching, government service, industry, research, and the medical professions.


Career Opportunities

With further education, career opportunities for biomedical science graduates include medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, chiropractic, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant, and other allied health professions. General biology majors can utilize their degree to obtain careers in areas such as wildlife management, forestry conservation, environmental quality consulting, technical work, and park services. Students interested in aquaria, ocean conservation, marine research, and fisheries can use marine biology to prepare them for entrance into these fields. The study of molecular biology major has particular value for students preparing for jobs in genetics, consulting, research, forensics, and bioinformatics. The biology education program, a cooperative program with the Teacher Education Program, is designed to prepare teachers to teach biology in junior high or high school.

All biology major emphases provide opportunities for a variety of post-baccalaureate studies.