BIOLOGY
Leadership
- PAUL K LAGO - CHAIR AND PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY
Contact
214 Shoemaker Hall
University, MS 38677
biology@olemiss.edu
https://www.olemiss.edu/depts/biology/
Overview
The Department of Biology offers a minor, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in biology. At the graduate level, the department offers a Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in biology.
Other Information
Nonbiology majors wishing to satisfy the university’s laboratory science requirements may take Bisc 102 and 103 (Inquiry into Life: Human Biology) and Bisc 104 and 105 (Inquiry into Life: The Environment). These courses are designed to be relevant to the nonscience student. The two courses are not independent; Bisc 102 is prerequisite to Bisc 104. Students not needing a laboratory may register for the lecture course (Bisc 102 or 104) alone. Students may also satisfy their science requirements by taking the Bisc 160-161,162- 163 sequence that is designed for biology majors, pre-health students, and teacher education students. Bisc 160, 161, 162, and 163 courses are appropriate for students who have not decided on a major but who think they may later become interested in medicine, teaching, or research in biology. Bisc 206, 207, and 210 can also be used to meet the university's lab science requirement but may not be used toward a major in biology. Students may not receive credit toward a degree for both 102 and 160, or both 104 and 162, or their respective laboratories.
Pre-medical and pre-dental students considering a major in biology are urged to follow the recommended biology class sequence and to declare a major by the end of their sophomore year. Health pre-professional students will find a biology major particularly appropriate for their career goals.
Students must achieve a grade of C or better in all course work counted for the major in biological science, and every biology course requires a grade of C or better in all prerequisite courses, including those prerequisite courses from other departments (except for Bisc 104/105, which require passing grades in Bisc 102/103). For example, Bisc 160 and 161 must be passed with a grade of C or better before Bisc 162 and 163 may be taken. In addition, Bisc 160, 161, 162, and 163 must be passed with a grade of C or better before any additional biology course at the 300 level or above is attempted.
Secondary education students should consult the School of Education for information about secondary education certification of high-school science teachers.