Undergraduate Programs and Information

If you have a passion for understanding how cells and living organisms function, and enjoy scientific experimentation and field or laboratory studies, then you should consider majoring in biology. Biology is the study of living organisms (bacteria, algae, protozoans, fungi, plants, and animals). It is a large discipline that encompasses molecules and cells, organs and organ systems, organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems. Biologists study cell and molecular biology, genetics and evolution, organismal biology, systematics and ecology, and behavior.

When students complete a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, they are prepared for exciting careers in the sciences and eligible for graduate study in master or doctoral programs or health-related fields (e.g., chiropractors, clinical laboratory scientists, dentists, nurses, optometrists, pharmacists, physical therapists, physicians, and veterinarians).

Options in the Biological Sciences Program
 

Biology Option
Students interested in botany, zoology, ecology and systematics, and cell and molecular biology who want to pursue careers in biology, including wildlife biology, fisheries biology, endangered species biology, work in nurseries, garden centers, and zoo or become natural resources managers should pursue the biology option. Students in the biology option are encouraged to complete an undergraduate research project with a faculty mentor in the department or to apply for a research experience in biology at another university.

Environmental Biology Option
Students interested in careers in environmental sciences, including environmental consulting, environmental engineering, water treatment, wastewater treatment, public health, and environmental protection should pursue the environmental biology option. Students enrolled in the environmental biology option are required to gain valuable practical experience by completing a twelve-week internship.

Teacher Certification Option
Students interested in becoming high school science teachers, specializing in Biological Sciences, and teaching upper division high school biology courses, honors and advanced placement courses, should choose the teacher certification option. Students take courses in biology, chemistry earth sciences, physics, and education and complete a semester-long student teaching experience.
 

Departmental Honors Program

This program provides an opportunity for qualified students to enroll in more rigorous and challenging courses and pursue individual research interests. Students conduct Honors research with a faculty mentor, present a seminar, and complete an Honors thesis.

Pre-Health Professional Programs

The Health Professions Committee at Eastern Illinois University has designed the Health Professions website to answer frequently asked questions by students currently in the programs administered by the Health Professions Committee and by prospective students considering attending Eastern Illinois University.  We also offer links to key sites that provide information about each of the health professions.

Biology Minor

A minor is a part of a student’s curriculum which allows that student to formally participate in a discipline or field of study outside his or her major. Most degree programs do not require a minor. In order to declare a minor or minors, a student should either go to the Registration Office, or declare the minor on their Application for Graduation. Once the Application for Graduation has been made, a student who wishes to drop a minor or minors must reapply for graduation.

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Degree or Pre-Studies Program Requirements

A native student may choose to graduate under the requirements stated in the Eastern Illinois University catalog current at the time of their entrance to the University or under the requirements stated in a subsequent catalog published prior to their graduation.

An undergraduate transfer student may choose to graduate under the requirements stated in the Eastern Illinois University catalog current at the time they initially enrolled at another college or university provided that catalog did not precede their enrollment at Eastern Illinois University by more than three years. Such a student may choose to graduate under subsequent catalogs on the same basis as native students.

The catalog options for a student who was concurrently enrolled at any college while still enrolled in high school begin with the catalog in effect during the first semester of college enrolment subsequent to graduation from high school.

In no case may a student combine or choose various requirements form several catalogs in order to achieve minimal curriculum. During periods of transition, deans, in consultation with department chairpersons, are authorized to make such curriculum adjustments to graduation plans as will insure academically meaningful programs. It is understood that the period of implementation of the revised General Education Requirement constitutes such a period of transition. Copies of all authorizations must be filed with the Records Office.