Dec 01, 2024  
2025-2026 Draft Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Draft Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: Content may no longer be accurate.

Zoology (BS)


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  • Program Prerequisite: Not required.
  • Minor: Not required.
  • Grade Requirements: Zoology majors must have an average GPA of 2.00 or higher. Students are required to earn a grade of “C-” in each prerequisite course before taking the next course. Zoology majors must have a grade of “C-” or better in all courses that satisfy specific requirements for the major.
  • Credit Hour Requirements: A total of 120 credit hours is required for graduation; a minimum of 73 of these is required within the major.  A total of 40 upper division hours is required (courses number 3000 and above); a minimum of 34 is required within the major.
  • Program Code: 6021BS
  • CIPC: 260701

Advisement

All Zoology students should meet with a faculty advisor at least annually for course and program advisement. The department secretary can also assist students. Call 801-626-6165 for more information or to schedule an appointment.  (Also, refer to the Department Advisor Referral List.)

Use Grad MAPs to plan your degree

Admissions Requirements

Declare your program of study (Enrollment Services and Information ). No special admission or application requirements are needed for the Zoology BS.

General Education

Refer to Degree Requirements  for Bachelor of Science requirements. The following courses required for the Zoology BS will satisfy general education requirements:  CHEM 1210 , MATH 1040 , MATH 1050 , MATH 1080 , PHYS 1010 , PHYS 2010 , PHYS 2210 , ZOOL 1610  . The following courses that are electives for the Zoology BS will also satisfy general education requirement: BTNY 1203 , BTNY 2303 , MICR 2054 , ZOOL 2420 . Students are encouraged to take general education courses concurrently with required and elective courses in the major.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • The Process of Science: Students will use observational strategies to test hypotheses and critically evaluate experimental evidence.
  • Quantitative Reasoning: Students will represent diverse experimental data sets graphically and apply statistical methods to them.
  • Communication: Students will explain scientific concepts to different audiences and work collaboratively to explore biological problems.
  • Science and Society: Students will develop biological applications to evaluate and address societal problems.
  • Evolution: The diversity of life is the result of mutation, adaptation, and selection pressure over time.
  • Cellular Organization: All living things consist of one or more cells, the units of structure, function, and reproduction.
  • Genetics: All living things share basic genetic mechanisms, which are responsible for the organization and continuity of life.
  • Ecosystems: All organisms are interconnected, interacting with each other as well as with their dynamic environment.
  • Structure and Function: There is a relationship between molecular and organismal structure and function.
  • System Regulation: Biological systems are governed by chemical transformations and homeostasis.

Major Course Requirements for Zoology BS Degree


Experience in Zoology


Select a minumum of 2 credit hours from the following or select an additional 5th course from Upper Division Zoology electives listed above. Note: The two credit hours can be taken in the same or separate semesters.

Required Math Courses


Select a minimum of 1 course from the following.

Required Statistics Courses


Select a minumum of 1 course from the following. Courses taken with separate labs count as 1 course.

Required Physics Courses


Select a minimum of 1 course from the following.

Elective Support Courses


Select a minimum 4 courses from the following including at least 1 course in BTNY or MICR. Courses taken with separate labs count as 1 course.

Special Emphases


Pre-Medical Professional Training


Students considering application to medical, dental, veterinary, physical therapy, optometry, and pharmacy schools should consult the beginning of the College of Science section of this catalog. Furthermore, they should meet with the  advisors of these programs, each of whom is listed in that section. The Department of Zoology offers lower and upper level courses that provide superb training for examinations such as the Medical College Admissions Test, as well as medical school courses. Students should meet with the appropriate advisor for specific course suggestions.

Ecological/Environmental Training


Students interested in ecologically or environmentally oriented careers should follow the Zoology major and select courses to fill their elective requirements from the following:

Support Course Electives in Botany


Note:


Students desiring employment as a conservation officer should minor in Criminal Justice with a Law Enforcement concentration (see Department of Criminal Justice  section of the catalog). Students desiring a career as a wildlife biologist or wildlife manager, or intending to pursue advanced studies in ecology or conservation biology following graduation (MS or PhD degrees), should minor in Botany. (Consult with the department secretary at 801-626- 6165 for information about the advisor of this program.)

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