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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Biology, Environmental Track, B.S.
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With a well-rounded education in biology, all tracks prepare undergraduates for entry into graduate schools, health related fields (medical, nursing, dentistry, veterinary) and the job market, including careers in scientific research, conservation, environmental law and policy, biotechnology, forensics, agriculture, education, science policy, non-profits, and local, state and federal agencies. The availability of various tracks allows students to tailor a degree program towards their specific interests.
The Environmental Track is the broad study of organisms and their ecological environments. Through these courses, students investigate organisms in their aquatic, terrestrial, and geological habitats. Environmental systems courses cover populations, communities, ecosystems, and landscape scale questions. See Biology .
Please review the Wisdom Core section included at the bottom of this program, which outlines the requirements to fulfill the Rockhurst Wisdom Core for all undergraduate students.
When registering for classes, to find which courses will fulfill core requirements, search the Course Schedule by “Attribute Type”. The Course Schedule is located on the Rockhurst Registrar’s webpage at www.rockhurst/registrar.
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Major Field of Concentration
Biology Major Requirements
Note: a minimum of 33 upper division credit hours are required for this major.
Required:
Select three electives from Environmental Systems Group:
Select two electives from Organismal Group:
Select one elective from Molecular Group:
Note:
Students are urged to consult with the department regarding their program of study as early in their academic careers as they can (during freshman year if possible).
A grade of C or better is required in each upper-division course of the major as well as the 12 related hours of upper-division coursework. (A grade of C- will not satisfy the requirement.)
Below is the list of strongly recommended courses for students to take as related hours (Please note that Related major hours must be upper-division):
Wisdom Core Requirements
With few exceptions, Rockhurst undergraduate students are required to fulfill the following requirements of the Rockhurst Wisdom Core. To locate courses that fulfill specific wisdom core requirements, search the Course Schedule by “Attribute Type”. The Course Schedule is located on the Rockhurst Registrar’s webpage at www.rockhurst/registrar.
Cornerstone Requirement:
Cornerstones courses introduce students to the Jesuit tradition and to the University through study, discussion, and reflection. Topics will vary. Students are encouraged to take the Cornerstone course during their first year at Rockhurst.
This 2 credit hour course may be offered through the College of Arts and Sciences (WCCA), the College of Business Intelligence and Information Analysis (WCCB), or Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences (WCCN), with a variety of content to be covered in each individual course.
The attribute code attached to any Cornerstone class is WCC.
Foundation Course Requirements: 37-40 hours
Foundations courses are lower-division courses representing the traditional liberal arts and sciences disciplines that are highly valued within the Jesuit tradition. Transfer courses may be accepted to fulfill Foundation core requirements.
| NW - Natural World |
Complete one science class with a lab from biology, chemistry, physics, or natural sciences (4 hours)
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| HC - History and Culture: HCA |
Complete one class from art, music, or theatre arts (3 hours)
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| HC - History and Culture: HCH |
Complete one class from history (3 hours)
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| HC - History and Culture: HCL |
Complete one class from literature in English or literature in Modern Languages (3 hours)
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IS - Individuals and Society
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Complete two classes from 2 different disciplines of: criminal justice, economics, psychology, sociology, or political science (6 hours) |
| UQ - Universal Questions: UQP |
Complete one course from philosophy (3 hours)
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| UQ - Universal Questions: UQT |
Complete one course from theology (3 hours)
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| UQ - Universal Questions |
Complete one additional upper-level course from either theology or philosophy - this swing course may be a Rockhurst or transfer course. (3 hours)
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| EP - Eloquentia Perfecta: WC |
Complete 1-2 WC - Written Composition courses. A student with an English ACT score over 24 may fulfill this requirement with EN 1140. (3 hours)
A student who does not have an English ACT score of 24 must complete EN 1110 and EN 1120. (6 hours)
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| EP - Eloquentia Perfecta: OC |
Complete one OC - Oral Communication course (3 hours)
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| QR - Quantitative Reasoning |
Complete one math course (3 hours)
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Keystone Core Designations:
The Keystone designations are specific learning outcomes which students fulfill through Rockhurst upper-division courses, found primarily in the students’ major or minor program of study. No specific number of credits are required, but students are required to fulfill one of each of the seven Keystone designations. These courses emphasize skills listed in the “Core Rationale and Learning Goals,” such as Inquiry, Analysis, Critical Thinking, and Global Citizenship. Keystones can only be fulfilled through Rockhurst courses. Note: if a Keystone designation contains sub-core designations, the Keystone requirement may be fulfilled through either one of its subcore designations.
The seven Keystone designations are as follows:
| KEYSTONE DESIGNATION CODE |
KEYSTONE DESCRIPTION |
SUB-CORE KEYSTONE DESIGNATIONS |
| IAC |
Inquiry, Analysis, and Critical Thinking |
Complete one course with either CT (Critical Thinking) or IA (Inquiry & Analysis) designation. Either designation will satisfy IAC. |
| IQL |
Information and Quantitative Literacy |
Complete one course with either IF (Information Fluency) or QL (Quantitative Literacy) designation. Either designation will satisfy IQL. |
| ACI |
Artistic/Creative & Innovative Expression |
Complete one course with either AE (Artistic Expression) or IV (Innovation) designation. Either designation will satisfy ACI. |
| CC |
Communication and Collaboration Skills |
Complete one course with either CM (Communication Skills) or CO (Collaboration Skills) designation. Either designation will satisfy CC. |
| IAS |
Intercultural Awareness and Sensitivity |
Complete one course with the IAS designation. |
| GC |
Global Citizenship |
Complete one course with the GC designation. |
| ESE |
Ethical Reasoning & Social Engagement |
Complete one course with either ER (Ethical Reasoning & Action) or SK (Social Knowledge & Engagement) designation. Either designation will satisfy ESE. |
Threshold Experiences
Before graduation, students are required to engage in at least one course or experience certified as using a high impact practice. Students must complete one of the following Threshold Experiences at Rockhurst:
| WI |
Writing-Intensive |
| ID |
Interdisciplinary |
| UR |
Undergraduate Research |
| IN |
Internship |
| TSL |
Threshold Service Learning Experience |
| RP |
Reflective Portfolios |
| SA |
Study Abroad |
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