Mar 29, 2024  
Undergraduate Bulletin 2022-2023 
    
Undergraduate Bulletin 2022-2023 Archived Bulletin

Biology, B.S.


Kate Cooper, Ph.D., Chair

General Education 36-39 credits
Major 54-57 credits
General Elective 24-30 credits

The biology program exists within the framework of a liberal arts college, in the fulfillment of its mission, and as such is dedicated to (1) providing access to fundamental concepts of biology for all students and (2) providing access to specialized biological knowledge for majors who rely on this knowledge for their particular career goals. The program also serves as a source of expertise, both research and instructional, for the local community, State of Iowa and beyond, and provides students the opportunity to learn through participation in this service experience. In both instances, this access and service is afforded in a Catholic atmosphere where moral and ethical implications of biological knowledge and earth’s stewardship are raised to the students and various public entities.

The biology program offers majors in biology and biological research. The biology major is designed for those students wishing a broad background in biology, but who do not wish to pursue a research orientation; the biological research major is designed for those students wishing research experience. Successful completion of a comprehensive examination given during the senior year is required of all majors.

Student Learning Outcomes - Biology

  1. Articulate scientific results and interpretation effectively in an oral presentation.
  2. Write effectively to communicate scientific information.
  3. Design valid and appropriate experiments to answer biological questions.
  4. Accurately interpret and analyze biological data and statistics.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the botany of plants.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of rules of genetic inheritance.
  7. Describe important molecules and pathways that allow cells to function in tissues.
  8. Apply ecological and evolutionary theory to current ecological problems.
  9. Compare normal physiological body functions with diseased body functions.

General Education Requirements


   

Requirements for the major in Biology (B.S.):


The required and supporting courses for the biology major must be completed with a cumulative 2.000 GPA. At least 12 credits of required biology courses, numbered 240 or above, must be completed at Loras College, including L.BIO 389 L.BIO 488 , and L.BIO 489 . It is highly recommended that students minor in chemistry and take L.MAT 150 .

Please Note:


L.MAT 117 Pre-Calculus  or equivalent is required for all biological research major and biology major courses numbered 300 or above. The mathematics courses can be completed before or concurrently with the biology courses.

L.BIO 115 Principles of Biology I-ES  cannot be fulfilled with transfer credit once a student matriculates at Loras College.