BIOLOGY PROGRAM 

Faculty
David W. Buckalew, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology
Lynn M. Ferguson, Ph.D., Professor of Biology
Camilla M. Hodgson, M.S., Lecturer in Biology
Dana P. Johnson, M.S., Lecturer in Biology
Mary E. Lehman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology
Donald A. Merkle, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology and Director of Health Pre-Professional Programs
Gary D. Oxford, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology
Anthony Palombella, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology and Biology Area Coordinator
Timothy W. Stewart, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology
William A. Velhagen, Jr., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology 

The biology major at Longwood provides fundamental training in many areas of the biological sciences so that graduates may pursue graduate study or careers in research, industry, teaching, medicine, dentistry, or allied health fields. To provide a broad background in the biological program, each student must take the unity of life, the diversity of life,  evolution, genetics, ecology, ethics of biology and unifying biological principles. In addition, students must choose to specialize in one of the following tracks: Molecular, Ecology, Organismic or Health. The Health Track is restricted to those students who plan to pursue a career in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or other health-related areas. A student who is in another major may obtain a biology minor. The minor program requires 8 semester hours at the introductory level, 8 hours at the 200 level or above, 4 hours at the 300 level or above, and 4 hours of electives for a total of 24 semester hours. Students are encouraged to enroll in a program of honors study or in a research project in biology.
       A student may seek a secondary teaching endorsement in biology. This program consists of all courses required of a biology major and EDUC 245, 260, 265, 370, 430, 455, 480, 484, 487, 489, SCED 352, and the professional semester consisting of 12 hours in the senior year. If an additional endorsement in chemistry, earth science, or physics is desired, the student must minor in that discipline and meet all state- mandated core requirements for that endorsement.  No grade below C- on biology courses is accepted for the graduation requirements for the major or minor in biology. 

BIOLOGY MAJOR, B.A., B.S. DEGREE 

A.  General Education Core Requirement. 32 credits.
See General Education Requirements  

B.   Additional Degree Requirements for B. S. Degree (beyond science courses).
Mathematics/Computer Science/3 credits
Social Science/3 credits.
Additional Degree Requirements for B. A. Degree.
Foreign Language/3 credits
Humanities/6 credits.

D.  General Electives B.A. Degree (non-teaching majors)/15-18 credits
      General Electives B.S. Degree (non-teaching majors)/18-21 credits  

E.   Secondary Teaching Endorsement, Grades 6-12. 41 credits
Must take SCED 352/3 credits and EASC 300/3 credits in addition to Professional educational requirements:
Secondary Education Program
 Add-On Endorsements

    *For additional endorsement to teach Chemistry
Minor in Chemistry/24 hours. See Minor in Chemistry

     *For additional endorsement to teach Earth Science
 Minor in Earth Science/24 hours. See Minor in Earth Science  

     *For additional endorsement to teach Physics
  Minor in Physics/24 hours. See Minor in Physics  

    *Students seeking endorsement in these areas must meet criteria established by the State Department of Education.  

F.   Total Credits Required for B.A. or B.S. in Biology   - 120
Total Credits Required for B.A. in Biology with Secondary Teaching Endorsement   - 143/145
Total Credits Required for B.S. in Biology with Secondary Teaching Endorsement   - 140/143
Total Credits Required for B.A. or B.S.  in Biology with Secondary Teaching Endorsement and an endorsement in either Chemistry, Earth Science or Physics  -  164/169  

BIOLOGY MINOR  

Students who are interested in pursuing a biology minor should contact the area coordinator. The minor must include:

        No grade below C- is accepted in fulfilling the Biology minor requirement.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES MINOR  

This interdisciplinary minor serves those students majoring in any subject who are interested in beginning an understanding of environmental issues. Grades below C- will not apply toward the fulfillment of minor requirements. Students choosing this minor must make appropriate selections from each of the following groups:  

Total required hours: 24-25  

*Biology majors seeking this minor must take Chemistry 121, 351 and 381; Chemistry majors seeking this minor must take Biology 101/341.  All other majors may choose one of the two options indicated in Group A.