Biology, B.S.

Juneau

The Bachelor of Science degree in Biology provides students with the opportunity to learn biological principles and skills in lecture, laboratory and field courses. Student research is also emphasized throughout the program. Program faculty are actively involved in a wide range of disciplines, including marine ecology, evolution, marine mammalogy, invertebrate physiology, cryobiology, biological oceanography, aquatic contaminant studies, and marine fisheries. Students have the option to choose a Fisheries Science Emphasis or to pursue General Electives. The location of the University provides students with a “natural laboratory” that includes extensive marine habitat, rainforest, wetlands, and ice fields all within walking distance of the classrooms. A small student-to-professor ratio ensures a more personal approach to learning than is possible at larger universities. The Bachelor of Science program in biology compromises a core curriculum generally found nationwide in bachelor of science biology programs. Additional information about the biology program can be found at https://uas.alaska.edu/arts_sciences/naturalsciences/biology/index.html. Program assessment plans and student learning outcomes are posted on the Program Assessment website.

Admission Requirements

Applicants will be considered for full admission to the B.S. in Biology, and be assigned a faculty advisor, after completion of the following:

BIOL S115
BIOL S116
*Fundamentals of Biology I
and *Fundamentals of Biology II
8
MATH S151*College Algebra for Calculus 14
WRTG S111*Writing Across Contexts3
High school chemistry or CHEM S103 with a C (2.00) or higher.
1

 May be met by placement examination.

Candidates must complete the General Education Requirements (GERs), the Alaska Native Knowledge Graduation Requirement, as well as the specific program requirements listed below for a minimum of 120 credit hours. Courses in a degree program may be counted only once. Courses used to fulfill the major requirements cannot be used to fulfill the GERs. Specific recommendations for the GERs in Biology are listed below. Degree must include 44 credit hours of upper-division (300 or above) courses, 24 of which must be completed at UAS.

Minimum Credit Hours 120
General Education Requirements 36
Alaska Native Knowledge Graduation Requirement 3
Major Requirements 43
Biology Electives 20
General Electives 21
General Education Requirements
Complete all General Education Requirements which must include the following:36
*Fundamentals of Biology I
*Fundamentals of Biology II
*Calculus I 1
Major Requirements
BIOL S271Ecology4
BIOL S310Animal Physiology4
BIOL S362Genetics4
BIOL S482Evolution4
CHEM S105*General Chemistry I 3
CHEM S105LGeneral Chemistry I Laboratory1
CHEM S106*General Chemistry II3
CHEM S106LGeneral Chemistry II Laboratory1
CHEM S321Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM S342Biochemistry4
STAT S200*Elementary Statistics3
Select one of the following Physics sequences:8
*College Physics I
and *College Physics II
*General Physics I
and *General Physics II
Biology Electives
Select from the following for a minimum of 20 credits:20
Introduction to Marine Biology
Introduction to Plant Biology
Communicating Science
Biological Oceanography
Experimental Design and Data Analysis
Conservation Biology
Current Topics in Biology: 2
Marine Ornithology and Herpetology
Marine Mammalogy
Field Studies in Behavior and Ecology 3
Individual Research 3
Invertebrate Zoology
Physiology of Marine Animals
Introduction to Ichthyology
Animal Behavior
Field Studies in Biology: 2
Aquatic Pollution
Marine Ecology
Biology Seminar 2
Biogeochemistry
Biogeography and Landscape Ecology
All Biology students have the option of pursuing a Fisheries Emphasis, which will satisfy up to 21 of the 21 General Elective requirements.
Fisheries Science Emphasis Requirements19-21
Must include (13 credits):13
Introduction to Marine Fisheries Science 4
Introduction to Ichthyology
FISH F288
(Fish and Fisheries of Alaska) 4
FISH F487
(Fisheries Management) 4
Select two additional electives in BIOL (UAS) or FISH (UAF) with advisor permission (6-8 credits).
General Electives
Include upper-division courses as needed to meet 44 upper division credits required for degree.up to 21
1

Prerequisites include MATH S151 and MATH S152

2

Only 4 credits from BIOL S375, 4 credits from BIOL S475, and 2 credits from BIOL S492 may be applied toward the biology electives. Additional credits may be applied toward electives.

3

Up to 6 credits total from BIOL S396BIOL S398BIOL S498 may be applied.

4

May be applied toward the Biology Electives and General Electives for students not pursuing the emphasis.

FISH courses available from UAF distance or face-to-face at the Lena Point CFOS facility.

  1. Students will gain a broad background in biological sciences.
  2. Students will develop critical thinking skills.
  3. Students will improve oral and written scientific communication skills.
  4. Students will gain practical experiences in basic biological research.