Mission of the Biology Baccalaureate
The biology program at Gordon State College provides a dynamic environment where students are engaged intellectually in their classes. The biology faculty are committed to providing students with a high quality education that will prepare them for professional and graduate degree work. Students are strongly encouraged to develop the critical thinking and investigative skills that will enable them to both obtain and succeed in their future career choices. There are ample opportunities for students to perform undergraduate research with faculty mentors. Students obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Gordon State College will be employable in fields of pharmaceutical and biotechnology, medical sciences (medical school, dental school, physical therapy, etc.), environmental biology, and zoology.
Gordon State College offers courses in support of a BS in Biology and a BS in Biology - Teacher Certification track. The program is designed for students following many different career/educational paths after graduation..
| Graduate programs in Biology | Doctor of Pharmacy Program | Ecology |
| High School Biology Teaching | Doctor of Physical Therapy Program | Forestry |
| Environmental Sciences | Occupational Therapy Program | Industry |
| Physician Assistant Program | Respiratory Therapy Program | Dental School |
| Wildlife Biology | Veterinary School | Medical School |
Biology Advising Notes with Sample Schedule
Students wishing to take upper division courses (3000 and 4000 level courses) should make sure they have completed BIOL 1107K, BIOL 1108K, and CHEM 1211K. All upper-level courses require these courses as prerequisites at a minimum. Ideally, a student will also complete CHEM 2401K (Organic Chemistry I) before beginning the program, although this course may be completed early in the program.
Sample Schedule
Sample math and science schedule for a new freshman entering Gordon State College as a biology major. Schedules should also include a selection of courses from core Areas A - E.
| Year | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman | CHEM 1211K BIOL 1107K MATH 1113 (or 1111, if needed) |
CHEM 1212K BIOL 1108K |
| Sophomore | CHEM 2401K MATH 1401 or 1501 |
CHEM 2402K Upper division Biology course |
Course Rotation
This schedule shows a list of planned courses and as such is subject to change. At its sole discretion, the college may revise this schedule and any information contained herein, without advance notice. No contract, either expressly or implied, is created by this schedule.
| Fall | Spring |
|---|---|
| BIOL 3200K - Genetics | BIOL 3100 - Biochemistry |
| BIOL 3300K - Cell and Molecular | BIOL 3200K - Genetics |
| BIOL 3340K - Microbiology | BIOL 3300K - Cell and Molecular |
| BIOL 3500K - Ecology | BIOL 3500K - Ecology |
| BIOL 4000 - Senior Seminar | BIOL 4000 - Senior Seminar |
| BIOL 4200 - Evolution | BIOL 4200 - Evolution |
| BIOL Elective | BIOL Elective |
Electives include the following courses:
- BIOL 3100 - Biochemistry
- BIOL 3340K - General Microbiology
- BIOL 3520K - Invertebrate Zoology
- BIOL 3550K - Vertebrate Zoology
- BIOL 3600K - Plant Biology
- BIOL 4100 - Philosophy and Ethics of Biology
- BIOL 4200 - Evolution
- BIOL 4350 - Comparative Physiology
- BIOL 4450K - Molecular Biology
- BIOL 4460 - Immunology
- BIOL 4500K - Biotechnology
- BIOL 4600K - Mammalogy
- BIOL 4700K - Developmental Biology
- BIOL 4900 - Special Topics in Biology
Program Advisement Sheet for Bachelor Of Science Biology Degree (Download PDF)