Degree Majors and Programs - B.A. Degree
Science and Mathematics Division
In the Science and Mathematics Division, the University offers courses of study in astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, marine biology, and mathematics, with major fields of specialization in biology, chemistry, marine biology and mathematics. The Division also offers pre-engineering and pre-medical technology programs.
Mathematics is the essential tool for all students of natural, physical and applied sciences. In addition, certain areas in mathematics, such as statistics, probability, linear algebra and calculus, are indispensable for certain advanced programs in the social sciences. The students' readiness to begin the study of mathematics at the college level will determine whether they are able to complete their undergraduate degrees majoring in chemistry or mathematics in the normal period of four years. The student who has mastered mathematics through at least high school trigonometry and second-year high school algebra should be able to maintain the pace of a college program in science or mathematics. Four years of high school mathematics are recommended. In addition, familiarity with the language and basic concepts of the sciences can be gained through high school courses in biology and chemistry.
Students planning to attend a graduate school of medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine normally will major in either chemistry or biology as an undergraduate. Students should consult with their advisors concerning courses which may be required for graduate study in their fields of interest. Biomedical research training opportunities are available for interested students to work in the laboratory of faculty mentors.
The University of the Virgin Islands is one of the few institutions in the United States offering an undergraduate major in marine biology. As the program develops, specialized field courses in chemical and physical oceanography, marine geology and marine instrumentation will be added. It is anticipated that the growing recognition for marine technicians will result in expanded career opportunities for those who complete the undergraduate program. Students in this program also will be prepared for graduate work.
Preparation in such fields as architecture, pharmacy, engineering and forestry may often be completed within the four years of a normal baccalaureate program with transfer from the University of the Virgin Islands after the first year or two of undergraduate study. However, many engineering programs now require a minimum of five years of study for a bachelor's degree.
The bachelor's degree, together with appropriate preparation in teacher education, is the basic qualification for those intending to teach science and mathematics at the secondary level.
The following tables list the required and recommended courses in the Science
and Mathematics Division:
Biology Major
A. Required courses in Biology:
Credits
Biology 141-142 General Biology I-II 4-4
Biology 223 Ecology 4
Biology 245 Principles of Genetics 4
Biology 360 Cell and Molecular Biology I 4
Biology 342
or
Animal Physiology 4
Biology 352 Plant Physiology 4
Biology 397, 398 Junior Science Seminar I,II 1/2,1/2
Biology 497, 498 Senior Science Seminar I,II 1,1
*Biology 346 counts as a C course for B.A. Biology majors who matriculated prior to fall 1993.
B. Any two of the following organismal biology courses are required:
Biology 220 Marine Invertebrate Zoology 4
Biology 339 Vertebrate Structure 5
Biology 349 Aquatic Plant Biology 4
Biology 350 Terrestrial Plant Biology 4
C. One course from the following is required:
Biology 224 Population Biology 4
Biology 353 Developmental Biology 4
Biology 355-356 Biology of Microorganisms I-II 4-4
Biology 370 Evolution 3
Marine Biology 424 Marine Ecology 4
Biology 460 Cell and Molecular Biology II 4
D. The following courses in related fields are required:
Mathematics 143-142 Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry 4-4
Chemistry 111-112 Principles of Chemistry for the
or
Life Sciences I-II 4-4
Chemistry 151-152 General Chemistry I-II 5-5
Physics 211-212 Introduction to Physics I-II 4-4
or
Physics 241-242 General Physics I-II 5-5
E. The following courses are strongly recommended:
Biology 295 Responsible Conduct in Research 1
Chemistry 253-254 Organic Chemistry I-II 5-5
Chemistry 348 Biochemistry 4
Mathematics 241-242 Introduction to Calculus
and
Analytical Geometry I-II 4-4
Chemistry Major
A. Required courses in Chemistry:
Credits
Chemistry 151-152 General Chemistry I-II 5-5
Chemistry 251 Quantitative Analysis 4
Chemistry 252 Instrumental Analysis 4
Chemistry 253-254 Organic Chemistry I-II 5-5
Chemistry 341-342 Physical Chemistry I-I 4-4
Chemistry 397, 398 Junior Science Seminar I,II 1/2,1/2
Chemistry 432 Inorganic Chemistry 4
Chemistry 497, 498 Senior Science Seminar I,II 1,1
B. The following courses in related fields are required:
Mathematics 241-242 Introduction to Calculus and Analytical Geometry I-II 4-4
Mathematics 341-342 Intermediate Calculus I-II 3-3
Physics 241-242 General Physics I-II 5-5
C. The following courses are strongly recommended:
Chemistry 348 Biochemistry 4
Chemistry 465, 466 Selected Topics 3 to 4
Chemistry 495 Directed Independent Research in Chemistry 1 to 4
Chemistry 496 Internship/Field Studies 1 to 4
Mathematics 441-442 Advanced Calculus I-II 3-3
Marine Biology Major
The Marine Biology major is designed to prepare students for a wide variety of careers. Students wishing to become marine technicians in either government or private sector should take, as a minimum, courses listed in categories A, B and C below. Marine Biology majors preparing for careers such as secondary teaching or environmental management should take courses in A, B and C along with courses from appropriate disciplines (e.g., teacher education or business administration).
For those planning careers in marine research or college teaching, advanced studies will be necessary. In order to prepare for graduate school, students should select French (or German, if available) for fulfillment of the foreign language requirement and should take mathematics and chemistry courses beyond the minimum required for the Marine Biology major (see category D below).
To partially fulfill the social sciences requirements, it is recommended that Marine Biology majors take Economics 221 and Economics 222, Introduction to Macro-and Micro-Economics.
A. Required courses in Biology and Marine Biology
Credits
Biology 141-142 General Biology I-II 4-4
Biology 223 Ecology 4
Marine Science 239 Oceanography 3
Biology 342 Animal Physiology
or
Biology 352 Plant Physiology 4
Biology 245 Principles of Genetics
or
Biology 355 Biology of Microorganisms
or
Biology 360 Cell and Molecular Biology I 4
Biology 460 Cell and Molecular Biology II 4
Marine Biology 397, 398 Junior Science Seminar I,II
1/2,1/2
Marine Biology 424 Marine Ecology 4
Marine Biology 465/466 Selected Topics in Marine Biology 4
Marine Biology 497, 498 Senior Science Seminar I,II 1,1
B. One of the following three courses is required:
Marine Biology 220 Invertebrate Zoology 5
Marine Biology 222 Ichthyology 4
Biology 349 Aquatic Plant Biology 4
C. Required courses in related fields:
Mathematics 143-142 Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry 4-4
Chemistry 151-152 General Chemistry I-II 5-5
Physics 211-212 Introduction to Physics I-II 4-4
or
Physics 241-242 General Physics I-II 5-5
D. In addition to the courses not chosen to fulfill the requirement in Section B, the following are strongly recommended for students intending to pursue graduate studies:
Biology 295 Responsible Conduct in Research 1
Mathematics 241-242 Introduction to Calculus
and
Analytical Geometry I-II 4-4
Chemistry 253-254 Organic Chemistry I-II 5-5
Marine Science 111 Open Water Scientific Diving 1
Mathematics Major
In addition to fulfilling the general education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts the following courses are required:
A. Required courses in Mathematics
Credits
Mathematics 215 Introduction to Number Theory 3
Mathematics 241-242 Introductory Calculus and 4-4
Analytic Geometry I, II
Mathematics 261 Linear Algebra 4
Mathematics 341-342 Intermediate Calculus I, II 3-3
Mathematics 362 Abstract Algebra I 3
Mathematics 441 Introductory Analysis I 3
Mathematics 397-398 Junior Mathematics Seminar I, II
1/2-1/2
Mathematics 497-498 Senior Mathematics Seminar I, II 1-1
B. Six elective courses from the following are required; a cluster of four courses must be approved by the advisor (see D, Suggested tracks):
Mathematics 233 Discrete Mathematics 3
Mathematics 301 Modern Geometry 3
Mathematics 332 Mathematical Statistics 3
Mathematics 344 Probability 3
Mathematics 346 Differential Equations 4
Mathematics 386 History and Philosophy of Mathematics 3
Mathematics 352 Mathematical Modeling 3
Mathematics 442 Introductory Analysis II 3
Mathematics 458 Topology 3
Mathematics 461 Abstract Algebra II 3
Mathematics 465, 466 Special Topics 3,3
Mathematics 325 Numerical Analysis 3
Mathematics 348 Complex Variables 3
Mathematics 499 Approved Independent Study 3
One approved upper level course in another discipline
C. Strongly Suggested Courses in Related Fields:
Computer Science 117 Introduction to Programming 4
Physics 241-242 General Physics I, II* 5,5
* Partially satisfies the general education requirement in science
D. Suggested Tracks:
Applied: for majors interested in applied mathematics in the physical and engineering sciences, actuarial sciences, or business
Mathematics 332 Mathematical Statistics
Mathematics 344 Probability
Mathematics 346 Differential Equations
Mathematics 352 Mathematical Modeling
Mathematics 325 Numerical Analysis
Mathematics 348 Complex Variables
One approved upper level course in another discipline. (See E)
Teaching: for majors considering a career in secondary education
Mathematics 233 Discrete Mathematics
Mathematics 301 Modern Geometry
Mathematics 332 Mathematical Statistics
Mathematics 344 Probability
Mathematics 386 History and Philosophy of Mathematics
Mathematics 352 Mathematical Modeling
Graduate: for majors considering graduate study in mathematics
Mathematics 442 Introductory Analysis II
Mathematics 458 Topology
Mathematics 461 Abstract Algebra II
Mathematics 348 Complex Variables
PRE-MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
The courses outlined below are the general preparation recommended for the student who will later seek admission to a professional phase program at another academic institution or hospital school. The specific requirements should be obtained from the particular institution to which application will be made for professional training. Students should share this information with their advisors to facilitate developing a program tailored to specific future needs. Academic institutions offering the professional phase of training generally award a bachelor of science in medical technology upon completion of the program. Afterward, the student will be eligible to take an examination to become a certified medical technologist.
A. The following courses are likely to be required:
Credits
Mathematics 143-142 Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry 4-4
or
Mathematics 140 College Algebra with Applications 4
and
Mathematics 235 Introductory Statistics with Applications 4
Chemistry 151-152 General Chemistry I-II 5-5
Chemistry 253-254 Organic Chemistry I-II 5-5
Biology 261-262 Human Structure and Function I-II 4-4
Biology 301 Microbiology for the Health Sciences 4
COM 101-102 Introduction to Oral and
Written Communications I-II 3-3
COM 201 Research & Applied Writing 3
English 261, 262 World of Literature I,II 3,3
Psychology 120 General Psychology 3
B. The following courses are strongly recommended and may be required by certain institutions:
Biology 245 Principles of Genetics 4
Chemistry 251 Quantitative Analysis 4
Chemistry 252 Instrumental Analysis 4
Physics 211-212 Introduction to Physics I-II 4-4