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Nov 22, 2024
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2015-2016 USC Lancaster Bulletin (Archived Copy) [Archived Catalog]
Biological Sciences, B.S.
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Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate a solid base of knowledge in Biology. Subjects such as cell and molecular biology, genetics, ecology and evolution, plant biology, and physiology are all crucial subject areas that will be mastered.
- Students will analyze qualitative and quantitative data, assess validity of work and identify gaps in knowledge, and evaluate the results of analyses and experiments and decide on next steps.
- Students will identify assumptions, create and evaluate hypotheses, and design relevant experiments.
- Students will be trained to locate sources of information and to evaluate the quality of the information needed to make decisions. Students will be trained to critically read and discuss primary literature and evaluate its validity (on an appropriate level).
- Students will demonstrate the ability to learn independently and then share that knowledge with others as well as to work collaboratively.
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Basic Degree Requirements for Bachelor of Science Degrees (120 Hours)
- Carolina Core Plus General Education Requirements
- Major
- Cognate or Minor Requirements
- Electives
1. Carolina Core Plus General Education Requirements
CMW: Carolina Core Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Writing (6 Hours)
- Must be passed with a grade of C or higher.
ARP: Carolina Core Analytical Reasoning and Problem-Solving (A Minimum of 12 Hours)
Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:
Bachelor of Science degrees require a minimum of 12 hours, as specified by the major program, to include:
SCI: Carolina Core Scientific Literacy (8 Hours)
Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:
- Two 4-credit hour laboratory science courses.
GFL: Carolina Core Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Communicate Effectively in More than One Language (0-9 Hours)
Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:
- Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in the 122 course is required for all baccalaureate degrees. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course.
It is strongly recommended that students continuing the study of a foreign language begin college-level study of that language in their first semester and continue in that language until their particular foreign language requirement is completed.
GHS: Carolina Core Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (6 Hours)
Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:
- Two courses in History (HIST), at the 100 level, one U.S. History and one non-U.S. History
GSS: Carolina Core Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (6 Hours)
Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:
AIU: Carolina Core Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 Hours)
Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements:
- Up to two of these requirements may be met in overlay courses. At least one of these requirements must be satisfied by a course not applied elsewhere in general education. (3-9 hours)
CMS: Carolina Core Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Speech (3 Hours)
INF: Carolina Core Information Literacy (0-3 Hours)
VSR: Carolina Core Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility (3 Hours)
Other Required General Education Courses for the College of Arts and Sciences
Fine Arts and Humanities Requirements (3 Hours)
- Bachelor of Science degrees require 3 Hours in the fine arts. (May be taken as Carolina Core Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding.)
- Bachelor of Science degrees require an additional 3 Hours in the fine arts or humanities.
2. Biological Sciences Major
All biological sciences majors must earn at least a C in BIOL 101 and BIOL 102 to progress in the major.
Major Pre-requisites
The following courses fulfill some of the general education requirements and some cognates and must be completed for a major in biology.
A minimum grade of C in all biology courses is required of all biological sciences majors.
Major Requirements (28 hours)
Note:
At least three courses applied toward the major must have an associated laboratory. No more than three credits of 398/399 may be applied toward the major. Two of 301, 302, or 303 must be completed to advance to 400-600 level courses. At least two courses must be at the 500 level or above.
Progression Requirement
Biological sciences majors may enroll in a biological sciences major course a maximum of twice to earn the required grade of C or higher. For the purposes of this standard of progression, withdrawal with a W does not constitute enrollment.
Transfer Requirement
Any student applying for transfer to the biological sciences major from other programs within the University, or from other accredited colleges and universities, is required to have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.
3. Cognate or Minor Requirements (12-18 Hours) for B.S. Degrees
Cognate
The cognate is intended to support the course work in the major. The cognate must consist of twelve (12) hours of courses at the advanced level, outside of but related to the major. The cognate may be taken in one or more departments or programs, depending on the interests of the student and the judgment of the advisor.
Courses offered by departments and programs that are acceptable for cognate credit are outlined in the section titled Courses Acceptable for Cognate Credit in Degree Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences .
For cognate course offerings in other colleges, consult the appropriate sections of this bulletin. Some major programs have specific cognate requirements.
It should be emphasized that the cognate is not a second set of elective courses to be chosen at random by the student. The cognate must be approved by the major advisor as being related to the major field of study. Students are urged to consult their major advisors for specific requirements in their major.
Courses applied toward general education requirements cannot be counted toward the cognate.
For Bachelor of Science degrees, grades of D are acceptable for completion of the cognate requirement, except where restricted by the major program.
Minor
In place of the cognate a student in the College of Arts and Sciences may choose a minor consisting of at least 18 credit hours of prescribed courses. (Some minors in the sciences require a minimum of16 hours.) The subject area of the minor may be related to the major. Students pursuing interdisciplinary minors who wish to use courses in their major department for minor credit must petition the College Committee on Scholastic Standards and Petitions for permission to do so.
The minor is intended to develop a coherent basic preparation in a second area of study. It differs from the cognate inasmuch as the courses must be concentrated in one area and must follow a structured sequence. Interdisciplinary minors can be designed with the approval of the assistant dean for academic affairs and advising.
Courses applied toward general education requirements cannot be counted toward the minor. No course may satisfy both major and minor requirements. All minor courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher. At least half of the courses in the minor must be completed in residence at the University
A list of minor programs of study can be found at Programs A-Z .
4. Electives for B.S. Degrees
No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses. Further clarification of inapplicable courses can be obtained from the College of Arts and Sciences.
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