Fort Lewis College

Faculty
Professors David W. Jamieson, J. Page Lindsey, William H. Romme, Thomas P. Sluss, and L. Preston Somers;
Associate Professors John W. Byrd, Sherell Kuss Byrd, John M. Condie, Deborah M. Kendall, and Joseph C. Ortega;
Assistant Professors Clare A. Beelman and Catherine P. Ortega.

The various biology curricula are designed to meet the different needs of students considering the broad field of biology. Although all of these curricula lead to a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, there are four options available: General Biology, Environmental Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Biology for Secondary Education.

The General Biology option provides exposure to all the major conceptual areas of biology. It is intended for students wishing to pursue professional careers in health care or graduate school. It is also recommended for those students who are undecided about specific career goals in biology.

The Environmental Biology option provides a broad exposure to the principles and practices of ecology, environmental conservation, and management of natural resources. Thus, this option is particularly valuable for those students who plan to work for the many private firms and state and federal agencies involved in natural resource management and environmental impact assessment. This curriculum also provides appropriate preparation for students interested in graduate study in ecology and environmental science.

The Cellular and Molecular Biology option is designed to prepare students for graduate study in cell and molecular biology or to find employment in the biotechnology and health care industries. Students with this major are highly sought after in forensics technology, pharmaceutical development, and industries involving bioinformatics and gene discovery. Many students find that this option fulfills the requirements for postgraduate work leading to careers in health care, from medicine to naturopathy.

The Biology for Secondary Education option is designed to prepare students to teach in secondary schools. To obtain requirements for teacher certification, please contact the Department of Teacher Education.

Both government and industry have considerable demand for people trained in the biological sciences and for which a bachelor’s degree is sufficient. Administrative and professional careers may be found in government service and with a variety of conservation and recreation agencies at both state and federal levels. Laboratory and technical work is available with industry and with several government agencies. Some sales positions, especially with pharmaceutical houses, require a biology background. There is a considerable demand for secondary school teachers with certification in biology. Many positions for biologists require a graduate degree for which a liberal arts biology major is an excellent background.

A minor in biology is available for students majoring in other disciplines. Requirements for a minor in biology are listed at the end of this section. All minors must be arranged in consultation with the student’s biology advisor.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE WITH A MAJOR IN BIOLOGY:

General Education Credits
Comp 150 or Comp 125/126 ..........4-8
Library 150 ..........1
PE/Wellness (ES 100 plus 1 skills, 1 fitness) ..........3
Thematic Studies I (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas;
1 must be a science with attached lab) ..........12-16
Thematic Studies II (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas;
prerequisites: Comp 150, Lib 150, all 4 Thematic Studies I courses) ..........12-16
*Tier II writing requirement is part of the Major

Specific Departmental Requirements:
**=May also be counted towards TS I requirements; credits marked ** are counted in General Education total credits
**Bio 112N Introduction to Organismic and Evolutionary
Biology ..........**
Bio 113 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology ..........4
Bio 206 General Botany ..........4
Bio 207 General Zoology ..........4
Bio 220 Fundamentals of Ecology ..........4
Bio 321 General Physiology ..........4
Bio 370 Genetics Laboratory ..........1
Bio 371 General Genetics ..........2
Bio 372 Evolutionary Genetics
OR
Bio 373 Molecular Genetics ..........1
*Bio 380W/Ag 380W Issues in Evolution and Biological
Thought ..........4

Other biology courses, excluding cooperative education ..........11
Bio 496 Senior Seminar ..........2
Bio 497 Senior Thesis ..........2

Writing course within discipline:
Included in Specific Departmental Requirements above.

Auxiliary Requirements:
**=May also be counted towards TS I requirements; credits marked ** are counted in General Education total credits
Chem 150-**151Tx Fundamentals of Chemistry ..........4 -**
Chem 250-251 Organic Chemistry ..........8
Math 221 Calculus I
OR
Math 210 Calculus for Business and Biological Science ..........4
Math 201 Elementary Statistics ..........4

Recommended Courses (suggested for those students anticipating graduate school):
Math 222 Calculus II
Phys 201,202 College Physics I & II
Chem 311 General Biochemistry I

General Education Credits
Comp 150 or Comp 125/126 ..........4-8
Library 150 ..........1
PE/Wellness (ES 100 plus 1 skills, 1 fitness) ..........3
Thematic Studies I (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas;
     1 must be a science with attached lab) ..........12-16
Thematic Studies II (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas;
     prerequisites: Comp 150, Lib 150, all 4 Thematic Studies I
     courses) ..........12-16
*Tier II writing requirement is part of the Major

Specific Departmental Requirements:
**=May also be counted towards TS I requirements; credits marked ** are counted in General Education total credits
**Bio 112N Introductions to Organismic and Evolutionary
Biology ..........**
Bio 113 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology ..........4
Bio 206 General Botany ..........4
Bio 207 General Zoology ..........4
Bio 220 Fundamentals of Ecology ..........4
Bio 302 Systematic Botany ..........4
Bio 304 Field Zoology ..........5
Bio 371 General Genetics ..........2
Bio 372 Evolutionary Genetics ..........1
*Bio 380W/Ag 380W Issues in Evolution and Biological
Thought ..........4
Bio 471 Field Ecology ..........5

Other biology courses (in the 300- or 400-series) ..........3
Bio 496 Senior Seminar ..........2
Bio 497 Senior Thesis ..........2

Writing Course Within Discipline:
Included in Specific Departmental Requirements above.

Auxiliary Requirements from Other Departments:
**=May also be counted towards TS I requirements; credits marked ** are counted in General Education total credits
Chem 150-**151Tx Fundamentals of Chemistry ..........4 -**
Chem 250 Organic Chemistry ..........4
Chem 365 Analytical Chemistry ..........4

Math 221 Calculus I
OR
Math 210 Calculus for Business and Biological Science ..........4
Math 201 Elementary Statistics ..........4
Ag 301 Range Management ..........4
Ag 235 Soils and Soil Fertility ..........4

Recommended Electives (to be selected in consultation with student’s advisor):
Bio 331 Microbiology
Bio 305 Entomology
Bio 324 Mammology
Bio 334 Ornithology
Bio 350 Mycology
Bio 360 Bryophytes and Lichens
Engr 205 Surveying I
Geog 300 Intro to Geographic Information Systems
**Geol 113Tx Physical Geology
**Econ 266S Principles of Economics
Phys 201, 202 College Phys I & II

Specific Departmental Requirements:
**=May also be counted towards TS I requirements; credits marked ** are counted in General Education total credits
**Bio 112N Introduction to Organismic and Evolutionary
Biology ..........**
Bio 113 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology ..........4
Bio 206 General Botany ..........4
Bio 207 General Zoology ..........4
Bio 321 General Physiology ..........4
Bio 331 Microbiology ..........4
Bio 342 Embryology & Developmental Biology of Vertebrates
OR
Bio 456 Cell Physiology ..........4
Bio 370 Genetics Laboratory ..........1
Bio 371 General Genetics ..........2
Bio 373 Molecular Genetics ..........1
*Bio 380W/Ag 380W Issues in Evolution and
Biological Thought .. ..........4
Bio 455 Cell & Molecular Biology ..........4
Bio 496 Senior Seminar ..........2
Bio 497 Senior Thesis ..........2

Writing Course Within Discipline:
Included in Specific Departmental Requirements above.

General Education Credits
Comp 150 or Comp 125/126 .........4-8
Library 150 ..........1
PE/Wellness (ES 100 plus 1 skills, 1 fitness) ..........3
Thematic Studies I (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas;
1 must be a science with attached lab) ..........12-16
Thematic Studies II (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas;
prerequisites: Comp 150, Lib 150, all 4 Thematic Studies I courses) ..........12-16
*Tier II writing requirement is part of the Major

Specific Departmental Requirements:
**=May also be counted towards TS I requirements; credits marked ** are counted in General Education total credits
**Bio 112N Introduction to Organismic and Evolutionary
Biology ..........**
Bio 113 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology ..........4
Bio 206 General Botany .......... 4
Bio 207 General Zoology ..........4
Bio 220 Fundamentals of Ecology ..........4
Bio 321 General Physiology ..........4
Bio 370 Genetics Laboratory ..........1
Bio 371 General Genetics ..........2
Bio 372 Evolutionary Genetics
OR
Bio 373 Molecular Genetics ..........1
*Bio 380W/Ag 380W Issues in Evolution and Biological
Thought ..........4
Bio 496 Senior Seminar ..........2
Bio 497 Senior Thesis .......... 2

Auxiliary Requirements from Other Departments:
**=May also be counted towards TS I requirements; credits marked ** are counted in General Education total credits
Chem 150-**151Tx Fundamentals of Chemistry ..........4 -**
Chem 250 Organic Chemistry ..........4
Math 201 Elementary Statistics ..........4
Geol 110 Earth Science ..........4
Phys 201 College Physics ..........5
ED 200 Intro to Education in America ..........4
**ED 210S Culture of Childhood and Youth ..........**
ED 421 Individualized Instruction in a Pluralistic Society ..........6
ED 424 Language and Math Literacy in Secondary ..........4
ED 495 Student Teaching ..........15

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN BIOLOGY:
** =May also be counted for TS I requirements
**Bio 112N Introduction to Organismic and Evolutionary
Biology ..........4
Bio 113 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology ..........4
Bio 206 General Botany
OR
Bio 207 General Zoology ..........4
Two upper division biology courses ..........6-8
Total ..........18-20