Department of Zoology - Bachelor of Science Degree

Bachelor of Science Degree

Completion of a minimum of 120 credits (123 crs. if the student took MTH 1825 at MSU) is required for a MSU Bachelor's degree. For the Bachelor of Science, Zoology majors also have three sets of requirements. Two of those sets are defined by the University and by the College of Natural Science (CNS). The third set of requirements, a minimum of 33 credits in Zoology courses, is met by choosing one of seven concentrations offered by the Zoology Department. Additional credits from general elective courses usually will be needed to reach 120 (123) credits.

Each concentration has required courses which focus on a particular area of Zoology. For some concentrations, the required courses do not add up to the necessary 33 credits: in these cases, 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.

In the following document, the University requirements are listed first, then the CNS requirements.The requirements for each concentration area within Zoology are listed separately.

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.

Information for persons with disabilities.

Degree Requirements

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
2.0 minimum GPA in the major

University Requirements:

Course	Course Title	Semester Offered	Credits
Complete all of the following courses:
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: A minimum of two ISS or IAH courses that emphasize diversity must be completed. This Integrated Studies Diversity requirement may be fulfilled in one of two ways:

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".

"I" - emphasizes international and multicultural diversity

"N" - emphasizes national diversity

"D" - emphasizes both international/multicultural and national diversity.

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.

College Of Natural Science Requirements:

Course	Course Title	Semester Offered	Credits
Complete all of the following courses:
BS 110	Organisms & Populations	F, S, U	4
BS 111	Cells and Molecules	F, S, U	3
BS 111L	Cells and Molecules 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.
Preprofessional students may also wish to complete CEM 142 (3) and 162 (1) or 262 (2) to prepare for the MCAT.
Pre-vet students: Additional courses, including BMB 401 (4) (or BMB 461 (3) and 462 (3)), are required for admission to MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine. See the MSU CVM Admissions web page and consider making an appointment with one of the CVM Admissions advisors.

Complete one of the following courses:
Course	Course Title	Semester Offered	Credits
MTH 124	Survey of Calculus I	F, S, U	3
MTH 132	Calculus I	F, S, U	3

Complete one of the following courses:
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 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)

Department of Zoology Requirements:

To satisfy the requirement of a minimum of 33 credits in Zoology courses, the department offers seven concentration areas. Selection of a concentration should be made in accordance with that individual student's interests.

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 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 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.
complete an additional major, specialization or second degree.

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