Academic Catalog 2025-2026 Edition

Biology (B.A.)

College of Arts and SciencesDepartment of Biological Sciences

Website: https://www.fgcu.edu/cas/departments/biosciences/bioba/

(239) 590-7196

Students majoring in Biology (B.A.) may not pursue the Biology (B.S.) or Biotechnology (B.S.) as Dual Major / Dual Degree, Second Baccalaureate degree.

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Biology offers students the opportunity to study and engage in academic research on living systems across several levels from molecular to ecological systems. Students will gain an understanding of interactions between organisms and their environments (including biomedical and evolutionary perspectives). Ethical complexities of biological research are integrated throughout the curriculum. Pedagogically, emphasis is on lab-centered, hands-on learning. This degree program integrates a biological science disciplinary course of study with an issues-based interdisciplinary approach. Graduates will be prepared for entry-level positions and for graduate study in biological sciences, including the various biomedical fields (medical, dental, veterinary, optometry, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, anatomy, etc.).

Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements

For timely degree completion, students must complete all program milestones. The following actions occur when milestones are missed: first occurrence—advising hold and counseling regarding progression requirements; second occurrence—counseling and change to a major outside of the Department of Biology or Department of Chemistry and Physics that is more appropriate to student goals and academic performance. Appeals are handled through the relevant department. The decision of the appeal committee is final. Program milestones include the following:

  • BSC 1010C General Biology with Lab I or BSC 1011 General Biology II/BSC 1011L General Biology II Laboratory minimum grade of C completed one calendar year from admission as first time in college (FTIC) or 30 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
  • BSC 1010C General Biology with Lab I and BSC 1011 General Biology II/BSC 1011L General Biology II Laboratory minimum grade of C completed by end of fourth semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 45 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
  • PCB 3023C Cell Biology, PCB 3043C General Ecology or PCB 3063C Genetics minimum grade of C completed by end of sixth semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 60 credits earned, whichever is earlier.

Transfer students may declare the major after they have completed BSC 1010C General Biology with Lab I, BSC 1011 General Biology II, and BSC 1011L General Biology II Laboratory with grades of C or better in each course. Transfer students must complete PCB 3023C Cell Biology, PCB 3043C General Ecology or PCB 3063C Genetics with a grade of C or better within three semesters (including summer) of declaring the major.
In addition to the program requirements, students must:

  • Complete a minimum of 120 credits.
  • Complete a minimum of 48 of the 120 credits at the upper division (3000 - 4999 level).
  • Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
  • Satisfy the College-Level Skills and foreign language entrance requirements.
  • Satisfy the Service-Learning requirement.
  • Satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement.
  • Satisfy the residency requirement: 30 of the last 60 credits must be completed at FGCU.
  • Complete the summer course enrollment requirement.
  • Submit an Application for Graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.