Biology – General Biology Concentration mission: The General Biology concentration encompasses an overall knowledge of biological concepts with an emphasis on preparation for graduate studies and gaining a broad biological knowledge base. Students should leave with knowledge of biology, ecology, and chemistry, combined with critical thinking and writing skills, to assist them in any further education they might choose.
Biology - Conservation Concentration mission: The Biology conservation concentration encompasses an overall comprehension of biological concepts with an added emphasis on ecology and conservation. Students should leave Missouri Valley College with a broad knowledge of biology, ecology, and chemistry. In addition, graduates will gain competence in a variety of field and laboratory techniques, and will be able to use information gathered from concentration courses and current literature to make informed wildlife management decisions. Upon graduation, students should be prepared to enter graduate school or professional service.
Biology – Pre-Medical / Pre-Veterinary Concentration mission: The Biology Pre-Medical / Pre-Veterinary concentration encompasses an overall knowledge of biological concepts with an added emphasis in organismal health. Students should leave with a broad knowledge of biology, ecology, and chemistry, combined with critical thinking skills, to be applied to whichever organismal health field they choose.
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate scientific reasoning skills through experimentation, collecting and interpreting data, and analyzing scientific literature.
- Students will describe the molecular biology and biochemistry of metabolic processes and relate them to the organization and function of tissues.
- Students will compare and contrast the morphology and phylogeny of plants and animals, and summarize their characteristics to identify their taxonomy.
- Students will explain and evaluate interactions between organisms and their environment and be able to predict the outcomes of these interactions.
- Students will investigate the history, significance and mechanisms of evolutionary processes to describe the diversity of life.
Biology students wishing to attend graduate school should check requirements of the schools they are applying to, in order to meet any other requirements.
Major assessment:
All Biology majors must complete the Major Field Test in Biology prior to graduation.
Major Requirements
Completion of the Biology core plus a concentration in one of the following areas: General Biology; Conservation; Pre-Medical/Pre-Veterinary.
Biology Core
Required for all areas of concentration
BIOL 104, BIOL 210, BIOL 212 OR BIOL 215, BIOL 250, BIOL 320, BIOL 323, BIOL 332, BIOL 315, CHEM 111, CHEM 112, MATH 200
General Biology Concentration requirements:
Biology Core +
+ 6 courses from PHSC 105, BIOL 275, BIOL 285, BIOL 300, BIOL 305, BIOL 306, BIOL 310, BIOL 316, BIOL 335, BIOL 376/476, BIOL 401 (1-3 hours), BIOL 403, BIOL 404, BIOL 413, BIOL 420, BIOL 425, BIOL 430 (MUST TOTAL 19 HOURS MINIMUM)
+ 1 course from CHEM 300, CHEM 331, PHSC 315
6 courses from
1 course from
Conservation Concentration requirements
Biology Core +
BIOL 335, BIOL 404, BIOL 413 (must be taken twice or students may sub one with an approved internship - BIOL 401 or BIOL 376/476), BIOL 420, BIOL 430, CHEM 331 OR CHEM 300
+ 3 courses from BIOL 300, BIOL 305, BIOL 306, BIOL 310 OR BIOL 403
PHSC 315 and MATH 190 are recommended, but not required.
3 courses from
The following courses are recommended, but not required:
Pre-Medical / Pre-Veterinary Concentration requirements:
Biology Core +
BIOL 275, BIOL 285, PHSC 315, CHEM 331, CHEM 332, CHEM 451, BIOL 401 (must be taken twice for a total of 4 credit hours or students may sub 2 credit hours of internship with BI413 OR BI376/476 for a minimum total of 4 credits)
NURS 270, PSYC 100, SOCL 100, HUMN 125 OR HUMN 126, PHSC 365, MATH 190 are recommended but not required.
Entry into Pre-Medical / Pre-Veterinary Concentration requires Sophomore status and to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher. Those that fall below this minimum GPA will revert to the General Biology concentration. To apply, visit: https://www.moval.edu/academics/academic-divisions/division-math-science/biology/