Learning Outcomes 

1. 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 areas that will be mastered.
2. 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.
3. Students will identify assumptions, create and evaluate hypotheses,  and design relevant experiments.
4. 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).
5. Students will demonstrate the ability to learn independently and then share that knowledge with others as well as to work collaboratively.

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.

Admissions

Entrance Requirements

New freshmen who meet University admissions standards are eligible for admission to degree programs offered by the college. A student who wishes to enter the College of Arts and Sciences from another college on the Columbia campus must be in good standing and have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher. A student who wishes to enter the College of Arts and Sciences from another USC campus must fulfill one of the following requirements:

1. Be in good standing, meet the admission requirements for a baccalaureate degree on the Columbia campus, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.
2. Be in good standing and have completed 30 semester hours with a GPA of 2.00 or higher on a USC campus.

Some programs in the College of Arts and Sciences have special admission requirements established by the department or committee that supervises the specific degree program, for example, Cardiovascular Technology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Economics, Environmental Science, the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, and the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. These requirements are listed in the sections of this bulletin that describe department and special degree programs.

Degree Requirements (120 hours)

Program of Study

Founding Documents Requirement

All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade in the subject areas of History, Political Science, or African American Studies that covers the founding documents including the United State Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation and one or more documents that are foundational to the African American Freedom struggle, and a minimum of five essays from the Federalist papers.  This course may count as a requirement in any part of the program of study including the Carolina Core, the major, minor or cognate, or as a general elective.  Courses that meet this requirement are listed here.

Requirements (120 hours)

^1.

A minimum grade of C is required.

^2.

MATH 141 & MATH 142 are recommended. However, successful completion of MATH 122 and MATH 170, or MATH 172 may be substituted.​

^3.

Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements — Overlay-approved courses offer students the option of meeting two Carolina Core components in a single course. A maximum of two overlays is allowed. The total Carolina Core credit hours must add up to a minimum of 31 hours. Some programs may have a higher number of minimum Carolina Core hours due to specified requirements.

^4.

BIOL 425 and BIOL 549 may only be used for either the Physiology or Plant credit, not both.

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, 301, or 303 must be completed to advance to 400-600 level courses. At least twelve credits of major courses must be at the 400-699 level.

Major Map

A major map is a layout of required courses in a given program of study, including critical courses and suggested course sequences to ensure a clear path to graduation.

Major maps are only a suggested or recommended sequence of courses required in a program of study. Please contact your academic advisor for assistance in the application of specific coursework to a program of study and course selection and planning for upcoming semesters.

Biological Sciences, B.S.

¹

Regardless of individual course grades, students must maintain a minimum 2.000 cumulative GPA. 

²

Some colleges require a minimum GPA for major courses.  

³

Students who do not place into MATH 122 or MATH 141 will be required to successfully complete the corresponding prerequisites before taking MATH 122 or MATH 141.  It is recommended that students take MATH 141 and MATH 142.  However, successful completion of MATH 122 and MATH 170 or MATH 172 may be substituted. 

⁴

Students in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences are required to demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the 122 course through course credit or the corresponding foreign language placement score. 

⁵

The Carolina Core provides the common core of knowledge, skill and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduate students. 

⁶

No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences.  The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses.  Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. A student may choose an optional minor consisting of at least 18 credit hours of courses concentrated in one area that follow a structured sequence.  All minor courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher. 

⁷

Physiology courses (3 credit hours): BIOL 425*, BIOL 460, BIOL 465, BIOL 543, BIOL 549*, BIOL 635. 

Plant courses (3 credit hours): BIOL 420, BIOL 423, BIOL 425*, BIOL 426, BIOL 523, BIOL 524, BIOL 525, BIOL 526^ (or BIOL 527^ or BIOL 528^), BIOL 549*, BIOL 671.

*BIOL 425 and BIOL 549 may ONLY be used for either the Physiology or Plant credit, NOT both. Only ONE of BIOL 526-528 may apply for major credit. 

⁸

The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences requires one U.S. History and one non-U.S. History course, both of which must be chosen from the approved Carolina Core GHS courses.  Whichever is not fulfilled through the Carolina Core GHS requirement must be fulfilled through this college requirement. 

⁹

In addition to the required 15 hours of major coursework, Biological Science majors must select 13 hours of Biological Sciences courses 300-level or higher for a total of 28 major hours.  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 twelve credits of major courses must be at the 400-699 level. 

Program Notes:

• ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 must be completed in the student’s first 60 semester hours of work in order for these courses to be credited toward graduation.  All biological sciences majors must earn at least a C in BIOL 101 and BIOL 102 to progress in the major.
• 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.
• It is recommended that students who are pursuing a pre-professional track should also complete PHYS 201 and Lab and PHYS 202 and Lab, which may be applied toward the cognate.
• All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade that covers the founding documents. This course may fulfill any requirement in the program of study. Courses that meet this requirement are listed in the academic bulletin.
• The last 30 credit hours toward your degree must be earned in residence at the University of South Carolina-Columbia.