Nov 23, 2024
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25
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OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25

Biological Sciences—Marine, Freshwater, and Environmental Biology Major (B.S.)

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Major code BS2126

College of Arts and Sciences
Biological Sciences Department
Irvine Hall 107
Athens, OH 45701
www.ohio.edu/cas/biology

Karen Mammone, contact person
mammone@ohio.edu

Program Overview

Biological Sciences provides this program for undergraduate majors who are interested in careers with a focus on marine and freshwater organisms and their environments. Students focusing on terrestrial environments should consider the wildlife and conservation biology track. Courses meet the requirements for admission to graduate programs in marine biology, zoology, ecology, and conservation biology. The program also provides the necessary background for jobs with state and federal agencies (i.e., USDA or EPA) charged with environmental protection, research and monitoring, and information collection. Tier II social science electives can be chosen to meet the requirements of the Environmental Studies Certificate.

Admission Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

In the past, Biological Sciences had a very strong admission requirement of a PL1-level math placement. With the implementation of the test-optional admission pathway, this requirement is no longer in place. However, achievement of PL1-level math placement can be a good indicator of strong preparation in math. After admission to Ohio University, students may transfer into a Biological Sciences major if they have earned a grade of “C” or better in both BIOS 1700  and BIOS 1705  and have a minimum accumulative GPA of 2.5 at Ohio University.

Change of Program Policy

Current Ohio University students who would like to declare one of the Biology majors must have a minimum Math ACT subscore of 20; equivalent Math SAT subscore (490 on tests taken prior to March 2016 or 520 on tests taken March 2016 or later); a minimum Ohio University math placement score of PL1; or a grade of “C” or better in equivalent courses to both BIOS 1700  and BIOS 1705  with a minimum accumulative Ohio University GPA of 2.5.

External Transfer Admission

Transfer students who would like to declare one of the Biology majors must have a minimum Math ACT subscore of 20; equivalent Math SAT subscore (490 on tests taken prior to March 2016 or 520 on tests taken March 2016 or later); a minimum Ohio University math placement score of PL1; or a grade of “C” or better in the equivalent courses to both BIOS 1700  and BIOS 1705  with a minimum accumulative GPA of 2.5 from their previous institution.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

Courses meet the requirements for admission to graduate programs in marine biology, zoology, ecology, and conservation biology. The program also provides the necessary background for jobs with state and federal agencies (i.e., USDA or EPA) charged with environmental protection, research and monitoring, and information collection.

Requirements

University-wide Graduation Requirements

Ohio University requires completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours for conferral of a bachelor’s degree. However, the Biological Sciences - Marine, Freshwater, and Environmental Biology major requires completion of a minimum of 123 semester hours. For more information on the minimum hours requirement and other University-wide requirements, please review the University-wide graduation requirements .

Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement

View the College and Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirements .

Biological Sciences Hours Requirement

Complete a total of 37 semester hours of BIOS coursework, including all of the requirements below. Note: 1000- and 2000-level courses not specifically required by the major will not count toward the BIOS hours requirement, but they may be used to fulfill University graduation requirements.  2.0 GPA required.

Biological Sciences Common Curriculum

Complete the following courses:

Aquatic

Complete one of the following courses:

Ecology

Complete one of the following courses:

Molecular, Cellular, Physiology

Complete one course from the following:

Organismal

Complete one of the following courses:

Internship

Complete an internship for a minimum of 2 credit hours:

Biological Sciences Upper Level Laboratory Courses

Complete additional Biological Sciences courses at the 3000 level or above to meet the 37 credit hour requirement. At least three laboratory courses at the 3000 level or above must be included in the 37 hours.

Extradepartmental Requirements

Complete five sub-requirements.

Sub-Requirement 1: Mathematics

Complete the following course:

Sub-Requirement 2: Chemistry

Complete the following courses:

Organic Chemistry

 Complete either the following course or course group option:

Organic Chemistry course group option

Complete the following courses:

Sub-Requirement 3: Physics

Complete one of the following course group options:

Introduction to Physics course group option

Complete the following courses:

General Physics course group option

Complete the following courses/sequences:

Sub-Requirement 4: Statistics

Complete one of the following courses:


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