| DEPARTMENT
OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES Chair:
John A. Freeman (334-460-6331)
Graduate Coordinator: Elizabeth Yelverton
Professors: Boyles (Emeritus), Brown, Freeman, Miller, Sikes, Tate, Wolfe
Associate Professors: Dean, Nelson, Stout
Assistant Professors: Boettcher, O’Brien, Shardo, Sherman, Yelverton
Instructor: Williams-Howze
UNDERGRADUATE
STUDIES
The program of the Department of Biological Sciences is designed to contribute to a
scientific background as part of a liberal education. The department offers a diversified,
broadly based program, which can be designed to satisfy many areas of study. Our
multitrack major can provide the traditional student with a well-rounded background in
biology, or students may select courses to prepare them for a particular area of study.
The multitrack curriculum can prepare students for graduate study, pre-health professional
fields (such as medicine or dentistry), marine biology, environmental science, or science
education. The department has persons trained to advise in each of these areas. A list of
advisors for a specific track or area of study can be obtained from the departmental
office.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR
IN BIOLOGY
Students desiring to major in biology must meet the general
requirements for a degree of Bachelor of Science in addition to the following
requirements.
- At least thirty-six hours of biology,
including:
- a. Biology 121 and 122, 8 hrsNOTE: BLY 121, 122, or the
equivalents, are prerequisites to all courses numbered 300 or above except by permission
of the Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences. A year of college chemistry, or
advanced high school preparation in biology and chemistry is highly recommended for these
two introductory courses.
- At least 28 hours of biology electives above BLY 121 and
122. And, at least one course from each of the following four categories:
Category A
Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Physiology
BLY 311
BLY 341
BLY 431 |
4 hrs
3 hrs
4 hrs |
BLY 314
BLY 351
BLY 440/441 |
4 hrs
4 hrs
4/4 hrs |
Category B
Botany
BLY 332
BLY 430
BLY 433 |
4 hrs
3 hrs
4 hrs |
BLY 345
BLY 432
BLY 435 |
4 hrs
4 hrs
4 hrs |
Category C
Zoology
BLY 352
BLY 360
BLY 363
BLY 453
BLY 459
BLY 471 |
4 hrs
4 hrs
4 hrs
4 hrs
3 hrs
4 hrs |
BLY 354
BLY 361
BLY 451
BLY 455
BLY 463
|
4 hrs
5 hrs
4 hrs
4 hrs
4 hrs
|
Category D
Interdisciplinary Courses
BLY 311
BLY 367
BLY 475 |
4 hrs
4 hrs
4 hrs |
BLY 325
BLY 450
BLY 478 |
4 hrs
3 hrs
4 hrs |
Upper level courses not listed here will
count towards a biology major but do not satisfy the requirements above.
- Chemistry 131, 132, 201, and 202
- A year of Physics (114, 115) or Geology (111
and 112).
- Mathematics through Calculus (MA 115 and 125)
or Statistics (MA 115 and ST 210)
Students must also complete two (W) courses. Computer and
information science is strongly recommended for those students who plan graduate student
in biology.
AREAS OF
CONCENTRATION
Students who wish to concentrate in a specific area may want to follow one of these
optional tracks:
- Marine Biology
Biology majors desiring a concentration in marine biology should follow the recommended
four-year curriculum for biology majors. At least one term must be spent in residence at
the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium at Dauphin Island or other approved marine
lab, after the sophomore year. The department recommends that students follow one of two
series of courses: Biology 430, 451, 471, and 475; or Biology 367 and three of the
following: Biology 430, 474, 475, and Marine Geology.
- Environmental Science
Biology majors desiring a concentration in environmental science should focus primarily on
biology and chemistry. Biology 325 or 475 is required. The following biology courses are
recommended: BLY 314, 352, 360 and 433. Upon consultation with the student’s faculty
advisor, additional biology electives are to be selected from the following: Cell
Biology/Biochemistry, Non-Vascular Plants, Environmental Toxicology (BLY 515), Limnology
(BLY 526), Computers in Biology, and Biometry. A Chemistry minor is required. Additional
courses augmenting this concentration, while meeting department and college requirements
are: GY 111, 112 and 311; GEO 310; and SY 467.
- Pre-Health Professions
Biology majors planning a career in medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, veterinary
medicine, or other pre-professional fields should follow the recommended curriculum for
biology majors. A year of physics and one or more semesters of genetics are strongly
recommended for pre-health professional students.
- Biological Education
Biology majors desiring a degree in biology from the College of Arts and Sciences and
certification in teaching from the College of Education should follow this track. Students
may major in biology and minor in one of the other teaching fields (such as geology and
geography) to satisfy the science requirements for middle and high school teaching. To
fulfill all requirements for certification, students must plan their program carefully
with their advisor and with the Student Services office in the College of Education.
HONORS PROGRAM IN
BIOLOGY
The Biology Honors Program offers bright, academically motivated undergraduate students
the opportunity to develop research and communication skills in preparation for a graduate
or professional career. To apply for admission into the program, a student must:
- Have completed BLY 121, BLY 122, CH 131, CH 132, plus one
or more upper division biology courses.
- Have earned a 3.5 GPA or better in biology courses
attempted.
- Have earned a 3.0 GPA or better overall.
- Obtain a recommendation from a faculty member.
In addition to fulfilling the requirements of the standard
biology program, honors students must complete:
- A minimum of two semesters (six cr) of Honors Research in
Biology (BLY 499).
- A formal research prospectus including an introduction,
proposed methods, and relevant literature citation. The prospectus must be submitted and
approved before the final semester of honors research is undertaken.
- A formal written report in the form of a scientific paper.
- A poster presentation at the USA Annual Research Forum.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR
IN BIOLOGY
Twenty-four hours of biology are required, including:
- Biology 121, 122 (General Biology).
- Sixteen hours of biology electives, at least eight of which
must be taken at the University of South Alabama.
GRADUATE STUDIES
The Master of Science degree in Biology is designed to provide qualified students the
opportunity to further their knowledge in generalized and specialized areas of biology, as
indicated by course offerings and research interests of the faculty. In addition, the
Department incorporates into its offerings some areas of study leading to concentrations
in Basic Medical Sciences (through cooperative agreement with the College of Medicine -
see below) and in Marine Biology (through cooperative agreement with the Department of
Marine Sciences and/or the Dauphin Island Sea Laboratory - see below). A student may also
concurrently pursue a Class A Professional teaching Certificate (through cooperative
agreement with the College of Education - see below). Admission to the M.S. Program does
not automatically qualify a student for entry into one of the special areas of
concentration; students desiring such entry should familiarize themselves with the special
conditions noted below and contact the Department for special rules and conditions.
REQUIREMENTS FOR
ADMISSION
Students are admitted each semester.
The following criteria supplement the Graduate School
criteria (see Categories of Admission):
REGULAR ADMISSION
- Undergraduate major in biology, botany, or zoology with a
minimum GPA of 2.8 (on a 4-point scale) in all biological courses taken.
- Undergraduate organic chemistry sequence.
- One year of physics or geology.
- Mathematics at least through calculus or statistics.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of at least 1100 on
the Verbal and Quantitative portions, with at least a score of 500 on Verbal. (An MCAT
score of 24 may be substituted for the GRE by persons intending to enter a
cellular/molecular area.)
- A GRE score in the Advanced section in either Biology
(minimum score 500) or Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology (minimum score 400).
- Students who do not speak English as their native language
must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 600.
PROVISIONAL ADMISSION
- Undergraduate major or minor (or equivalent) in biology,
botany, or zoology.
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (on a 4-point scale),
with a minimum of 2.8 on all biological courses taken.
- Submission of GRE (or MCAT) score as outlined above, but
without minimum score requirements and a minimum TOEFL score of 600.
NON-DEGREE ADMISSION
The Department of Biological Sciences accepts Non-Degree
Graduate Students within the general admission and credit regulations of the University of
South Alabama with certain reservations and limitations. Students should consult the
Department concerning these limitations before applying for such status. Included, but not
limited to, are the following:
- Students are restricted to enrollment in courses prefixed
BLY that the Chair determines will advance their career development in biological
sciences. Only in exceptional cases wherein it is determined to the satisfaction of the
Chair that the aforementioned career goals are enhanced will a non-degree student be
permitted to enroll in courses in other departments.
- ALL class enrollments require prior approval of the Chair
of the Department of Biological Sciences.
- Students must confer with the Chair or the Graduate
Coordinator of the Department of Biological Sciences before attempting to enroll in any
class.
- Students seeking to change from non- degree status to a
degree-granting program must reapply and be evaluated as any other student who has not
previously applied to such program.
DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA
LABORATORY
The Dauphin Island Sea Laboratory is supported by nineteen colleges and universities in
Alabama to form one marine campus. Students in the M.S. program Biological Sciences at the
University of South Alabama may take courses through the sea laboratory and apply credits
earned toward fulfilling requirements for the M.S. degree. Students frequently choose to
spend part of their time, particularly in the summers, at Dauphin Island and the rest of
their time on the main campus in Mobile. Other arrangements are also possible.
Dauphin Island Sea Laboratory publishes an Information
Bulletin each year. Students may request a copy of the Information Bulletin by writing or
calling: Registrar, Dauphin Island Sea Laboratory, Post Office Box 369-370, Dauphin
Island, AL 36528, (334)861-2141.
CONCENTRATION IN BASIC
MEDICAL SCIENCES (BMS)
The purpose of this track is to provide qualified beginning
graduate students with an opportunity to become research scientists in biology with an
emphasis in basic medical science. Course work and research opportunities are offered in
the Departments of Biochemistry, Microbiology/Immunology, Pharmacology, Physiology, and
Structural and Cellular Biology in the College of Medicine, as well as in the Department
of Biological Sciences. Students fulfill the normal criteria for the M.S. degree in
biology, but with up to one third of the formal course work being taken in the Basic
Medical Sciences Program of the College of Medicine. Students must complete thesis
research in basic medical sciences. This track prepares the student for additional
graduate study in the basic medical sciences leading to the Ph.D. degree. A non-thesis
option is not available.
THESIS DEVELOPMENT
PROCESS: CONCENTRATION IN BMS
Students are expected to choose a major professor and to
define a thesis topic by the end of the first in residence. The student and the major
professor select an advisory committee consisting of the major professor, who may be from
either Basic Medical Sciences (with a co-major professor from Biological Sciences) or the
Department of Biological Sciences, and at least one other member from Biological Sciences.
Students are expected to finish all course work and thesis research within two years of
beginning their studies for the M.S. degree with a concentration in Basic Medical
Sciences.
M.S. IN BIOLOGY WITH
ALABAMA CLASS A PROFESSIONAL TEACHING CERTIFICATION
- Students holding Class B Professional Certification in
Education may choose a program involving at least twenty-four hours of Biology and twelve
hours of Education beyond the bachelor’s degree. No more than ten hours may be
selected from 400-level courses in Biology. Upon completion of the program, the M.S.
degree in Biology and Class A Professional Certification are awarded by the University and
by the State Department of Education respectively.
- The twelve hours of Education include three required
courses (SED 551, 552 and IDE 510) and one course chosen from either SED 554 or 564.
Students with no previous course work in Special Education are also required to take SPE
500; this course may not be counted toward the required twelve hours of Education.
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS
FOR ALL STUDENTS
The Department offers several types of assistantships to
qualified students. Application forms for assistantships with primary responsibilities in
teaching and preparing laboratories are available from the departmental office. In
addition, some assistantships with primary responsibility in research are usually
available each year. These assistantships are associated with grants and contracts that
support the research of individual faculty members. In all cases, assistantships are
approved by the Dean of the Graduate School upon recommendation of the appropriate sponsor
within the University. To be eligible for an assistantship, MCAT or GRE scores must be
submitted to the Biology Department.
REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREE
FOR ALL STUDENTS
Students will find detailed explanation of special
departmental requirements in a document, "Special Policies and Procedures Regarding
the Master’s Degree Program in the Department of Biological Sciences." This
document is available from the departmental office and describes initial orientation for
new students, administration of the comprehensive examination, departmental seminars, and
the like.
The curriculum for each student will be developed by the
student’s advisory committee in view of the student’s professional goals.
Students must take the advanced portion of the GRE as specified above and it will be used
as a diagnostic tool. If, in the opinion of a student’s committee, the student lacks
adequate undergraduate preparation as revealed by this examination or other evidence, the
student will be required to make up such deficiencies.
In addition to satisfying the general requirements of the
Graduate School, the candidates for the Master of Science degree in Biology must satisfy
the following requirements:
Thesis Program
- Complete, with a minimum grade of "B", thirty-six
hours, of which at least twenty-five hours must be in courses at the 500 level. No course
at the 300 level or below may be taken for graduate credit. All courses must be accepted
by the student’s graduate advisory committee. The student’s graduate committee
may, at its option, after consultation with the student, require demonstration of
additional proficiency in a foreign language, mathematics, computer skills, and/or
statistics.
- Complete a thesis representing original research. A maximum
of six hours credit will be granted for the thesis. Enrollment in Biology 599 (Thesis) is
not permitted until the student’s research prospectus has been approved by the
advisory committee and the Directory of Graduate Studies, College of Arts and Sciences.
- Enroll in Biology Seminar during at least two semesters of
residency.
- Complete successfully a comprehensive written examination
on the following four major aspects of Biology: cellular and molecular biology, organismic
biology, population biology, and general biology. This examination may be taken only after
the student has completed 18 hours of graduate work excluding thesis credits. The student,
with the endorsement of the major professor, should submit to the department a letter of
intent to take the examination one month prior to its administration. The comprehensive
examination is a requirement for graduation, not for admission to regular graduate
standing. The examination should be taken at least one semester before graduation.
Candidates failing the comprehensive examination may be examined over the parts of the
test which they failed after a minimum three-month delay. No portion of the comprehensive
examination may be taken more than twice.
- Make an oral defense of the thesis during the last semester
of residency.
Non-Thesis Program
Students planning to pursue the Ph.D. degree are encouraged to follow the thesis option.
However, a non-thesis curriculum is available for those students who so elect. The student
will be required to complete the same degree requirements as those for a student who
chooses the thesis option, with the following exceptions.
- A thesis will not be required. Consequently BLY 599
(Thesis) may not be taken, and the six semester hours normally associated with it must be
earned through formal course work.
- The student must complete BLY 594 (Directed Studies) under
the direction of a major professor. The student must also have a faculty committee whose
members will decide if the student’s report relating to the directed study is
satisfactory. The committee normally will consist of the major professor and two others.
The student is required to present an open seminar about the directed study during the
last semester of residency.
Descriptions
of all Biology (BLY) courses
College
of Arts and Sciences
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