Bachelor of Science Degree
These requirement lists are for informational purposes. Students are expected to check with their advisor at least once a year to verify requirements and to discuss program planning and course selection.
How to change your major or concentration.
Information for persons with disabilities.
Degree Requirements
Within the minimum of 120 credits (123 crs. if the student took MTH 1825 at MSU) necessary for a MSU Bachelor's degree, Zoology majors must complete these sets of requirements:
General Degree requirements
University requirements
College of Natural Science requirements
Zoology Dept. requirements: complete one of these seven concentrations.
- BS Zoology concentrations are a minimum of 33 credits in upper (300 +) level Zoology courses. Each concentration focuses on a particular area of Zoology. For some concentrations, all of the 33 credits come from specifically identified courses. For other concentrations, some of the 33 credits are specified and the remaining credits come from Zoology elective courses. Choosing these Zoology elective courses is where students can tailor their coursework to their individual interests, potential careers or possible work environments, so these concentrations work well for students who seek professional employment in animal biology, or who seek admission to graduate programs in animal biology or to health-related professional schools.
General elective courses: Beyond these requirements, general elective courses provide the additional credits to reach 120 (123) credits.
GENERAL DEGREE Requirements:
- 120 Credits minimum to graduate (minimum 123 for students who took MTH 1825 at MSU)
- 33 Credits minimum in concentration
- 2.0 minimum Overall GPA * [all the credits taken at MSU]
- 2.0 minimum GPA* in the major [Zoology Dept. requirements]
* GPA is Grade Point AVERAGE
UNIVERSITY Requirements:
| Complete all of the following courses: |
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| Course | Course Title | Semester Offered | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WRA 110-150 | Writing, Rhetoric & American Cultures | F, S, U | 4 |
| IAH 201-210 | Integrative Studies in the Arts & Humanities | F, S, U | 4 |
| IAH 211 (or higher) | Integrative Studies in the Arts & Humanities | F, S, U | 4 |
| ISS 2XX | Integrative Studies in Social Science | F, S, U | 4 |
| ISS 3XX | Integrative Studies in Social Science | F, S, U | 4 |
| (F = Fall, S = Spring, U = sUmmer, KB = Kellogg Biological Station) | |||
NOTE about IAH and ISS: A minimum of two [of the four required] ISS or IAH courses must emphasize diversity. This Integrated Studies Diversity requirement is fulfilled with the completion of at least one “N” course and one “I” course. A “D” course may substitute for either one “N” or one “I” requirement, but not both.
"I" - emphasizes international and multicultural diversity *.
"N" - emphasizes national diversity *.
"D" - emphasizes both international/multicultural and national diversity *.
Thus, the Diversity requirement is satisfied when , in your four required courses, you have two different designations
[Or, to put it differently:
a. by taking one course designated "I" and one course designated "N" OR
b. by taking one course designated "D" and one course designated either "I" or "N".]
* The course designation of I, N or D is in parentheses at the end of the course title in the MSU Course Descriptions catalog. (Example: IAH 201 is a "D" emphasis course.) If none of these letters is present, the course will not satisfy the Integrated Studies Diversity requirement.
NOTE about ISP / ISP:
MSU requires all undergraduate students to complete ISB, ISP and the applicable labs.
College of Natural Science students [including Zoology majors] must take a substantial amount of preliminary science courses. Some of these courses will be used for "an alternative track" * [in other words, as substitutes for] the ISB / ISP and labs. For example, for Zoology students, the courses BS 111 & 111L and CEM 141 & 161 will be replacing the ISB / ISP / labs.
Degree Navigator, since it is a program which applies to all the majors across the University, lists ISB, ISP and the applicable labs as requirements, even for College of Natural Science students. For Zoology majors, however, once the courses BS 111 & 111L and CEM 141 & 161 have been completed, Degree Navigator will plug these into the College of Natural Science "alternative track." The ISB / ISP category then will be shown as completed for that student.
* See Academic Programs. Look under
> College of Natural Science > Undergraduate Programs > Graduation Requirements, number 1
COLLEGE of NATURAL SCIENCE Requirements:
| Complete all of the following courses: | |||
| Course | Course Title | Semester Offered | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS 161 | Cell & Molecular Biology | F, S, U | 3 |
| BS 162 | Organismal & Population Biology | F, S, U | 3 |
| BS 171 | Cell & Molecular Biology Lab | F, S, U | 2 |
| BS 172 | Organismal & Population Biology Lab | F, S, U | 2 |
| CEM 141 | General Chemistry | F, S, U | 4 |
| CEM 161 | Chemistry Laboratory I | F, S, U | 1 |
| CEM 251* | Organic Chemistry I | F, S, U | 3 |
| CEM 252* | Organic Chemistry II | F, S, U | 3 |
| CEM 255 | Organic Chemistry Lab | F, S, U | 2 |
| PHY 231 | Introductory Physics I | F, S, U | 3 |
| PHY 232 | Introductory Physics II | F, S, U | 3 |
| PHY 251 | Introductory Physics Lab I | F, S, U | 1 |
| PHY 252 | Introductory Physics Lab II | F, S, U | 1 |
| * CEM 252 builds on knowledge from 251. The Department recommends taking the organic chemistry classes consecutive semesters [e.g. FS - SS] so there is less of a break between courses. | |||
Pre-professional students may also wish to complete CEM 142 (3) and 162 (1) or 262 (2) to prepare for the MCAT and professional school. Admission requirements vary from school to school. Additional courses may be required. Check with each school and plan accordingly. |
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Complete one of the following courses (level 1): |
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| Course | Course Title | Semester Offered | Credits |
| MTH 124 | Survey of Calculus I | F, S, U | 3 |
| MTH 132 | Calculus I | F, S, U | 3 |
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Complete one of the following courses (level 2): |
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| Course | Course Title | Semester Offered | Credits |
| MTH 126 | Survey of Calculus II | F, S, U | 3 |
| MTH 133 | Calculus II | F, S, U | 4 |
| STT 201 | Statistical Methods | F, S, U | 4 |
| STT 224 | Intro. to Probability & Statistics for Ecologists | S | 3 |
| STT 231 | Statistics for Scientists | F, S, U | 3 |
| STT 421 | Statistics I | F, S, U | 3 |
(F = Fall, S = Spring, U = sUmmer, KB = Kellogg Biological Station) |
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Prerequisite MTH courses: When you enter MSU, you must take a MTH placement test. Your score on this test may not be high enough to place you into one of the groups of calculus classes listed above. In this case, you must enroll in pre-calculus classes.
If you place into MTH 1825, Intermediate Algebra, you must start you MTH sequence with this course. Once you pass this course, you may move on to the next pre-calculus classes, MTH 116 OR (MTH 103 and 114).
A placement score of 9 - 14 means your MTH sequence starts at the pre-calculus level: College Algebra and Trigonometry. This material is covered in either:
- MTH 116 College Algebra and Trigonometry.
- MTH 103 College Algebra AND MTH 114 Trigonometry.
How do you decide which pre-calculus route to follow?
1. Which first-level calculus course (first course grouping above) do you intend to take later? Look at the descriptions (click on the links)
See above: either course will meet the requirement.
2. Do you like math? Are you good at it? If yes, consider MTH 132, Calculus I. Note that the prerequisites are BOTH College Algebra and Trigonometry. To complete your pre-calculus requirement, choose one of these options:
- MTH 116 is a 5 credit course for one semester. This means it meets 5 days a week, with the expectation that you complete homework and readings for each day. For some students, this may be too intense of a schedule.
- MTH 103 and MTH 114 are taken in two consecutive semesters: MTH 103 the first semester and MTH 114 the second. Each class is a 3 credit course, meeting 3 days a week, with the expectation that you complete homework and readings for class meeting.
3. For those who might not like math so much (or who feel they are not good at it), consider MTH 124, Survey of Calculus I.
NOTE: the only prerequisite listed in the MSU Description of Courses for MTH 124 is MTH 103.
4. Still not sure which direction to go? Leave your options open. Plan to take BOTH College Algebra and Trigonometry (see 2 above). You can change your plans later.
DEPARTMENT of ZOOLOGY Requirements:
To receive a BS Zoology, a student must complete a minimum of 33 credits in upper-level (300 +) Zoology courses. This requirement is met by completing one of the seven concentrations that the Department offers. Selection of a concentration should be made in accordance with that individual student's interests.
- If you are just declaring [entering] the BS Zoology, you can declare your concentration when you change to the BS Zoology major.
- If you do not know which concentration you wish to pursue, you will be placed in the General Zoology concentration. You can graduate with the General Zoology concentration, or you can change your concentration later.
- How do you choose a concentration ?
- If you are already a Zoology major and want to change your concentration, first, check your major in STUINFO. Then follow the steps under changing concentrations.
- Can you add add more than one concentration to your BS Zoology degree? Yes.
When you graduate, your concentration will be listed on your transcript. Your diploma will NOT list the concentration: your diploma will read "Bachelor of Science in Zoology."
General ELECTIVES:
Most of the 120 (or 123) credits required for a MSU Bachelor’s degree come from the required University, College and department courses. Additional credits, however, may be needed to reach the total 120 (123) credits. These credits are called general elective credits and may be taken in any discipline or any level. Elective courses can be chosen to:
- develop or expand skills, such as writing and analytical thinking.
- provide vocational skills, such as accounting, GIS experience or computer skills.
- explore topics you have always been interested in learning more about.
- complement your major and interests. For example, for a student interested in environmental issues, courses from Fisheries and Wildlife, Geography or Resource Development might be good choices. Other science-based options might include: Animal Science; Biochemistry: Entomology; Forestry; Microbiology & Molecular Genetics or Physiology. Psychology or Anthropology courses often complement Zoology courses well.
- gain knowledge [e.g. CSS, GLG or PLB] that will be useful for a future career or internship.
- complete an additional major, specialization or second degree.