EXPLANATION OF ACADEMIC TRACKS IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE MAJOR

At the Florida State University, the Department of Biological Science offers one undergraduate major, which is Biological Science. All undergraduate students who declare a major in Biological Science, and successfully complete the requirements for the major, receive a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Biological Science.

Currently, a minimum of 38 hours in biological science coursework and a minimum of 32 hours of collateral coursework in mathematics, chemistry, and physics are required for the major. Nineteen of the 38 biology hours are considered core courses required by all biological science majors. This required core emphasizes a broad education in the principles of biology. The remaining 19 hours consist of elective courses in biological science, chosen by each student based on individual interests, capabilities, or anticipated career.

Although not required to do so by the department, biological science majors may choose to concentrate their biology elective hours in a particular sub-discipline of biology (i.e., "academic track"). Academic tracks are defined as groupings of departmental courses within a traditional or contemporary sub-discipline of biology that may be used to tailor the degree requirements to student interests. Currently, the Department of Biological Science offers eight academic tracks in the following sub-disciplines of biology:

- Cell and Molecular Biology 
- Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Science 
- Marine Biology 
- Mathematical and Computational Biology 
- Physiology and Neuroscience 
- Plant Sciences 
- Pre-professional Health Sciences  (including medicine, veterinary medicine, 
  optometry, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy and physician's assistant)
- Zoology 

Academic tracks are not majors; they are intended to serve only as guidance and recommendations for departmental courses offered within a sub-discipline of biology. Selecting an academic track does not prevent a biological science student from taking elective courses in another academic track. Because each track contains numerous courses, students should not expect to take all recommended courses for each academic track. Some courses from other departments may be suggested as good professional development (skills or content) choices for a particular academic track. Unless otherwise noted, courses outside of the Department of Biological Science do not count toward the biological science major. Biological science students may also choose not to select an academic track, in which case the 19 biology elective courses are selected from several sub-disciplines of biology.