Department of Biological Sciences

Janet Donaldson, Chair
118 College Drive, Box 5018
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4748

Alford, Arnold, Bai, Beckett, Bozzolo, Davis, Donaldson, Elasri, Flynt, Guo, Gutierrez, Hendry, Herron, Karim, Kreiser, Kuehn, Littlejohn, Mavrodi, Phillips, Qualls, Regan, Schaefer, Sellers, Shearer, Turnbull, Walker, Wang, Xu, Yee

The Department of Biological Sciences offers a choice of curricula leading to either the Bachelor of Science in biological sciences or the Bachelor of Science in marine biology. Course work taken within the Department of Biological Sciences can be applied to only one major. The Bachelor of Science in biological sciences curriculum includes the emphasis areas of biomedical sciences, environmental biology, and microbiology for students seeking preparation for careers in these specific fields of the biological sciences, as well as a general biological sciences curriculum for students seeking broader preparation. The latter curriculum, when combined with the required education courses and other specified electives, is also well-suited for students seeking licensure as secondary school teachers of biological sciences. Students selecting the microbiology or molecular biology emphases will complete the requirements for a minor in chemistry. Students selecting the environmental biology or general biological sciences emphases or the Bachelor of Science in marine biology are not required to complete a minor, although completion of four additional hours in chemistry beyond those required for these programs will satisfy the requirements for a minor in chemistry. The teacher licensure program in biological sciences includes a major in biological sciences and a minor in secondary education. It is an CAEP-approved teacher education program (Teacher Education Admission Requirements). Detailed degree plans for the various biological sciences emphasis areas and degrees are provided later in this Bulletin (see below for pages for specific emphasis areas). Information concerning the Master of Science and the doctorate degrees appears in the Graduate Bulletin. A student’s choice of degree program and of curriculum should be determined in consultation with an adviser.

Requirements for a Second Baccalaureate in Biological Sciences

Students seeking a second baccalaureate in the Department of Biological Sciences (BSC) typically complete the same course requirements as do students seeking the first baccalaureate. These courses include the major area of study requirements, the additional requirements, the upper-level writing-intensive course, and the calculus competency. Students must meet with the chair to finalize specific degree requirements during the first semester of seeking the second baccalaureate.

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

The Department of Biological Sciences is allied with the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs. Faculty at both institutions actively participate in teaching and research activities at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. Summer course work at Ocean Springs is strongly recommended for both undergraduate and graduate students and is required for students earning a B.S. in marine biology.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Non-degree

Biological Sciences Minor