Alabama's Public Liberal Arts University

2009 - 2010 Undergraduate Bulletin

Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics

 

Professors Bagga, Bharara, Byrd, Peterson (Chair); Associate Professors Hardig, O’Donnell, Sterner, Tidwell, Wicknick; Assistant Professors Brande, Cole, Herron, Hope, Morgan, Morris, Noerager, Styers, Tyler, Wilson; Adjunct Instructors Boots, Payne, Przybyzewski, Smith, Willingham.

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Geology
General Education requirements

Several courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Geology satisfy the Principles of Science requirement in General Education: BIO 100, 105, 106; CHEM 100, 101, 121, 122; GEOL 110, 115; and PHYS 100, 201, 241.

Mathematics General Education requirements

Pre-Calculus Algebra (MATH 144) or any higher-numbered mathematics course is a core requirement. Finite Mathematics (MATH 147) or The Nature of Mathematics (MATH 154) is recommended for the general university student who is not majoring in science or mathematics and is not planning to take any other mathematics courses beyond the core requirement. Those students who do not have adequate preparation in algebra should take Intermediate Algebra (MATH 131) prior to attempting MATH 144, 147, 154, or 157.

Majors

The department offers majors in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics. These programs will prepare students for graduate school, careers in the health professions, or employment in relevant professions. Course selections to advance the student toward these goals are made with the help of the student’s adviser.

Biology

The student majoring in Biology must complete BIO 105, 106, 205, 206, 307, and 16 hours of biology courses numbered 300 or above; CHEM 121, 122, 221, and 222 or 370; PHYS 201 and 202, or 241 and 242; MATH 157 and 150 (MATH 144 and 149 may be substituted for MATH 150).

Chemistry

The student majoring in Chemistry pursuing the ACS certified degree must complete CHEM 121, 122, 221, 222, 230, 321, 322, 420, 450, 490, 491, 380 or 431, and 3 hours from CHEM 370, 380, 431, or 440; MATH 170 and 171; PHYS 201 and 202, or 241 and 242. Students are required to have 500 laboratory hours.

The student majoring in Chemistry must complete CHEM 121, 122, 221, 222, 230, 321, 322, 450, 490, 491, and 6 hours from CHEM 370, 380, 420, 431, or 440; MATH 170 and 171; PHYS 201 and 202, or 241 and 242.

The student majoring in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry must complete BIO 105, 206, and 307; CHEM 121, 122, 221, 222, 230, 370, 410, 450, 490, and 491; MATH 170; PHYS 201 and 202, or 241 and 242.

Mathematics

The student majoring in Mathematics must complete MATH 170, 171, 185, 247, 261, 272, 310, 470, 484, and 485; and 8 credit hours in one of the following at the 200 level or above: Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.

For a B.A. degree in Mathematics, the student must take an additional 12 credit hours of MATH at the 300 level or above and 3 credit hours of MATH at the 400 level, as well as complete the University requirements for a B.A. degree.

For a B.S. degree in Mathematics, a student must complete either Option 1 (Pure Track) or Option 2 (Applied Track), and the University requirements for a B.S. degree in Mathematics. Option 1 (Pure Track) consists of MATH 376, 440, 480, 3 additional credits at the 200 level or above, and 3 additional credits at the 300 level or above. Option 2 (Applied Track) consists of 6 credits from MATH 330, 336, and 350, an additional 6 credits at the 300 level or above, and an additional 3 credits at the 400 level.

As a graduation requirement of the major, a student must have both a GPA of 2.0 for all courses in the major, as well as a GPA of 2.0 in all upper-division (300 level or above) mathematics courses. Only the highest grade a student earns in each course will be used in calculating these GPAs.

Minors

The department offers minors in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

The Biology minor consists of BIO 105 and 106; BIO 205 or 206 or 307; and 8 additional hours in biology courses, with at least 4 hours from courses numbered 300 or above.

The Chemistry minor consists of CHEM 121, 122, 221, 222, 230, and one additional course from the following: CHEM 321, 370, 420, 450.

A Mathematics minor consists of MATH 170, 171, and 272, and at least 6 hours of MATH electives at the 200 level or above.

Marine Science

The University is a member of the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium, a public, non-profit corporation dedicated to providing marine education, research, and service to Alabama. UM students focusing on marine science will study at the Consortium’s Dauphin Island Sea Laboratory, Dauphin Island, Alabama. Students register and pay tuition for these courses at Montevallo.

A minimum of 16 semester hours of biology is required before any 400-level course in marine science may be taken. Admission into all courses is subject to consent of the instructor.

The following courses do not apply toward a major or minor in Biology: MSC 445, 451, 460, 484, and 486. Students who wish to major in Biology with emphasis in Marine Biology should consult the department chair.

Pre-engineering program

A student entering the pre-engineering program concentrates the first two years on completing basic courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and humanities. At the conclusion of the second year, the student transfers to the engineering school of choice to complete the B.S. degree in engineering. A suggested curriculum follows the curricula for mathematics majors.

Dual-degree engineering programs

UM currently has dual-degree program agreements with the engineering colleges of Auburn University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. In three years at UM, a student in one of these programs completes 102 semester hours, which include all of UM’s general education requirements and all course requirements of the B.S. degree in mathematics. After successful completion of those three years, the student transfers to the engineering college of his or her choice. Those universities offer the following areas of concentration:

  • Auburn: aerospace, agricultural, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, industrial, materials, mechanical, or textile;
  • UAB: civil, electrical, materials, or mechanical; and
  • UAT: aerospace, chemical, civil, electrical (computer engineering option available), industrial, mechanical, metallurgical, or computer science.

Upon successful completion of study of a specific engineering curriculum, the student is awarded two degrees: a B.S. in Engineering and a B.S. in Mathematics from UM.

Students interested in a dual-degree program should contact Assistant Professor Hope for details.

Pre-Professional programs

Students interested in pre-professional programs leading to post-graduate study in nursing, medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy should refer to the section on Pre-Professional Programs.

Courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics

Biology (BIO)

Course number Course name Credit hours
100 Principles of Biology  4
105 Introductory Biology I  4
106 Introductory Biology II  4
205 Ecology  4
206 Genetics  4
300 Microbiology  4
307 Molecular Cell Biology  4
310 Plant Systematics  4
341 Anatomy  4
342 Physiology  4
375 Environmental Sampling  2
380 Invertebrate Zoology  4
390 Animal Behavior  4
410 Histology  4
420 Parasitology  4
425 Molecular Techniques  4
430 Developmental Biology  4
435 Conservation Biology  4
440 Evolution  4
450 Immunology  4
460 Field Botany  4
470 Vertebrate Field Zoology  4
475 Special Topics in Biology  1–4
480 Special Problems in Biology  1–4

Chemistry (CHEM)

Course number Course name Credit hours
100 Fundamentals of Chemistry  4
101 Basic Chemistry I  4
102 Basic Chemistry II  4
121 General Chemistry I  4
122 General Chemistry II  4
221 Organic Chemistry I  4
222 Organic Chemistry II  4
230 Introductory Analytical Chemistry  4
235 Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry  3
255 Chemical Computations  3
270 Introductory Biochemistry  3
310 Principles of Physical Chemistry  3
321 Physical Chemistry I  4
322 Physical Chemistry II  4
331 Techniques in Experimental Chemistry I  3
332 Techniques in Experimental Chemistry II  3
370 Biochemistry I  4
375 Environmental Sampling  2
380 Special Projects in Chemistry  1–6
381 Chemistry in the Community  3
410 Physical Biochemistry  3
420 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry  4
421 Advanced Physical Organic Chemistry  3
431 Research Project  4
440 Special Topics in Chemistry  3
450 Instrumental Analysis  4
490 Chemistry Seminar I  1
491 Chemistry Seminar II  1

Computer Information Systems (CIS)

Course number Course name Credit hours
161 Introduction to Computer Information Systems  3
210 Introduction to FORTRAN Programming  3
222 Algorithm Development  3
264 Introduction to COBOL Programming  3
275 Programming with C++  3
310 Data Structures  3
330 Introduction to Numerical Analysis  3

Geology (GEOL)

Course number Course name Credit hours
110 Physical Geology  4
115 Historical Geology  4
120 Introduction to Planetary Science  4
215 Plate Tectonics  3

Mathematics (MATH)

Course number Course name Credit hours
131 Intermediate Algebra  3
144 Pre-Calculus Algebra  3
147 Finite Mathematics  3
149 Pre-Calculus Trigonometry  3
150 Pre-Calculus Algebra and Trigonometry  4
154 The Nature of Mathematics  3
157 Introduction to Statistics  3
160 Basic Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I  3
162 Basis Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II  3
164 Basic Mathematics  3
170 Calculus I  4
171 Calculus II  4
185 Survey of Mathematics  1
205 Introduction to the History of Mathematics  3
222 Algorithm Development  3
226 Fractal Geometry  2
247 Introduction to Discrete Mathematics  3
261 Introduction to Programming and Computer Algebra Systems  3
272 Calculus III  4
287 Introduction to Graph Theory  3
295 Special Topics  3
299 Independent Study  1–3
310 Foundations of Mathematics  3
320 College Geometry  3
330 Numerical Analysis  3
336 Mathematical Statistics  3
350 Differential Equations  3
376 Complex Analysis  3
385 Mathematics Colloquium  1
387 Graph Theory  3
390 Linear Algebra  3
395 Special Topics  3
399 Independent Study  1–3
440 Abstract Algebra  3
470 Real Analysis  3
480 Topology  3
484 Directed Reading in Mathematics  1
485 Senior Seminar  1
495 Special Topics  3
498 Mathematics Colloquium  1
499 Independent Study  1–3

Physics (PHYS)

Course number Course name Credit hours
100 Introductory Physics  4
201 College Physics I  4
202 College Physics II  4
241 University Physics I  4
242 University Physics II  4
299 Independent Study  1–3
350 Modern Physics  4
399 Independent Study  1–3


Suggested courses of study


B.S. in Biology
Department Faculty, Advisers

Freshman Year Credit hours
UM 101  1
ENG 101, 102  6
BIO 105, 106  8
CHEM 121, 122  8
MATH 150, 157  7
KNES 117  2
Total credit hours  32

Sophomore Year  
UM 201  1
BIO 205, 206  8
CHEM 221  4
CHEM 222 or 370  4
ENG 231, 232  6
HIST 101, 102  6
COMS 101  3
Social and behavioral sciences  3
Total credit hours  35

Junior Year  
UM 301  1
BIO 307  4
PHYS 201 and 202 or 241 and 242  8
Social and behavioral sciences  3
Biology elective  4
Minor or electives  7
Fine arts  3
Computer applications  3
Total credit hours  33

Senior Year  
Biology electives  12
Kinesiology activity  1
Humanities and fine arts  6
Minor or electives  11
Total credit hours  30


B.S. in Chemistry
Department Faculty, Advisers

Freshman Year Credit hours
UM 101  1
ENG 101, 102  6
CHEM 121, 122  8
COMS 101  3
MIS 161  3
MATH 170, 171  8
KNES 117  2
Total credit hours  31

Sophomore Year  
UM 201  1
CHEM 221, 222, 230  12
ENG 231, 232  6
PHYS 201 and 202 or 241 and 242  8
Kinesiology activity  1
Minor or electives  7
Total credit hours  35

Junior Year  
UM 301  1
CHEM 321, 322  8
Chemistry elective  3–4
HIST 101, 102  6
Minor or electives  13
Total credit hours  31–32

Senior Year  
CHEM 450, 490, 491  6
Chemistry elective  3–4
Social and behavioral sciences  6
Humanities and fine arts  6
Fine arts  3
Minor or electives  10
Total credit hours  34–35


B.S. in Chemistry
Concentration in Biochemistry
Department Faculty, Advisers
 

Freshman Year Credit hours
UM 101  1
ENG 101, 102  6
CHEM 121, 122  8
COMS 101  3
MIS 161  3
MATH 170  4
Social and behavioral sciences  3
Fine arts  3
KNES 117  2
Total credit hours  33

Sophomore Year  
UM 201  1
ENG 231, 232  6
BIO 105, 206  8
CHEM 221, 222  8
PHYS 201, 202  8
Kinesiology activity  1
Total credit hours  32

Junior Year  
UM 301  1
BIO 307  4
CHEM 370, 410  7
CHEM 230  4
HIST 101, 102  6
Minor or electives  13
Total credit hours

 35

Senior Year  
CHEM 450, 490, 491  6
Humanities and fine arts  6
Social and behavioral sciences  3
Minor or electives  17
Total credit hours  32


B.S. in Chemistry, ACS Certified
Department Faculty, Advisers

Freshman Year Credit hours
UM 101  1
ENG 101, 102  6
CHEM 121, 122  8
COMS 101  3
MIS 161  3
MATH 170, 171  8
KNES 117  2
Total credit hours  31

Sophomore Year  
UM 201  1
CHEM 221, 222, 230  12
ENG 231, 232  6
PHYS 201 and 202 or 241 and 242  8
Kinesiology activity  1
Minor or electives  7
Total credit hours  35

Junior Year  
UM 301  1
CHEM 321, 322  8
Chemistry elective or CHEM 420  3–4
HIST 101, 102  6
Minor or electives  13
Total credit hours  31–32

Senior Year  
CHEM 450, 490, 491  6
CHEM 380 or 431 and Chemistry elective or CHEM 420  6–8
Social and behavioral sciences  6
Humanities and fine arts  6
Fine arts  3
Minor or electives  13
Total credit hours  40–42


B.A. in Mathematics
Department Faculty, Advisers

Freshman Year Credit hours
UM 101  1
ENG 101, 102  6
HIST 101, 102  6
MATH 170, 171  8
Foreign language  6
MATH 185  1
Natural sciences  4
MATH 261  3
Total credit hours  35

Students who have not had a course in plane trigonometry should take MATH 149, preferably in the summer, before attempting MATH 170.

Sophomore Year  
UM 201  1
ENG 231, 232  6
MATH 247, 272, 310  10
MATH elective  3
Foreign language  6
KNES 117  2
PHYS 201, 202  8
Total credit hours  36

Junior Year  
UM 301  1
MATH 470  3
MATH elective  3
Social and behavioral sciences  6
Fine arts  3
Minor or electives  10
COMS 101  3
Total credit hours  29

Senior Year  
Kinesiology activity  1
MATH 484  1
MATH 485  1
MATH electives  9
Minor or electives  18
Total credit hours  30


B.S. in Mathematics
Option 1 (Pure Track)
Department Faculty, Advisers
 

Freshman Year Credit hours
UM 101  1
ENG 101, 102  6
HIST 101, 102  6
MATH 170, 171  8
CHEM 121 or BIO 105 or 106  4
MATH 185  1
Fine arts  3
COMS 101  3
MATH 261  3
Total credit hours  35

Students who have not had a course in plane trigonometry should take MATH 149, preferably in the summer, before attempting MATH 170.

Sophomore Year  
UM 201  1
ENG 231, 232  6
MATH 272, 310  7
MATH 247, 376  6
PHYS 241, 242  8
KNES 117  2
Minor or elective  3
Total credit hours  33

Junior Year  
UM 301  1
MATH 470, 480  6
MATH elective  6
Humanities and fine arts  6
Social and behavioral sciences  3
Minor or electives  12
Total credit hours  34

Senior Year  
Kinesiology activity  1
Social and behavioral sciences  3
MATH 440, 484, 485  5
Minor or electives  19
Total credit hours  28


B.S. in Mathematics
Option 2 (Applied Track)
Department Faculty, Adviser
s  

Freshman Year Credit hours
UM 101  1
ENG 101, 102  6
HIST 101, 102  6
MATH 170, 171  8
CHEM 121 or BIO 105 or 106  4
MATH 185  1
Fine arts  3
COMS 101  3
MATH 261  3
Total credit hours  35

Students who have not had a course in plane trigonometry should take MATH 149, preferably in the summer, before attempting MATH 170.

Sophomore Year  
UM 201  1
ENG 231, 232  6
Social and behavioral sciences  3
MATH 247, 272  7
MATH elective  3
PHYS 241, 242  8
KNES 117  2
Minor or elective  3
Total credit hours  33

Junior Year  
UM 301  1
MATH 310, 470  6
MATH 330, 336, 350 (choose two)  6
Humanities and fine arts  6
Minor or electives  15
Total credit hours  34

Senior Year  
Kinesiology activity  1
Social and behavioral sciences  3
MATH 484, 485  2
MATH electives  6
Minor or elective  16
Total credit hours  28


Suggested course of study for Pre-Engineering
Assistant Professor Hope, Adviser  

Freshman Year Credit hours
ENG 101, 102  6
HIST 101, 102  6
CHEM 121, 122  8
MATH 170, 171, 185  9
Kinesiology  2
PSYC 201  3
Total credit hours  34

Students who have not had a course in plane trigonometry should take MATH 149, preferably in the summer, before attempting MATH 170.

Sophomore Year  
EC 231, 232  6
ENG 231, 232  6
MATH 272, 350  7
PHYS 241, 242  8
Kinesiology  2
Math elective  3
Total credit hours  32


Suggested courses of study

Biology and Chemistry:
Pre-Professional Programs

Chair of the Health Professions Advisory Committee: Professor Peterson

A wide variety of pre-professional programs may be planned that will fulfill specific requirements for admission to either allopathic or osteopathic medical schools, while allowing students to pursue their individual academic interest. Students should consult the catalogs of particular health-professions schools for specific information on admissions requirements.

Independent of academic advising for their majors, students can be advised regarding their preparation for admission to health-professional school by the Health Professions Advisory Committee in the Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Health-professions advising assignments will be made by Dr. Peterson, based on the professional and educational goals of the student. It is important that all students interested in health-professions careers, regardless of educational majors, contact Dr. Peterson prior to registration for courses, so that programs of study for the health professions can be outlined.

When applying to professional programs, the student may request an evaluation letter from the Health Professions Advisory Committee. This evaluation letter will be based in part on information from two academic recommendation letters, which should be sent to Dr. Peterson, Chair, Health Professions Advisory Committee. The student is responsible for requesting the two recommendation letters and for informing the Advisory Committee to which schools the evaluation letter should be sent.

Pre-Medicine and Pre-Dentistry

Medical and dental schools emphasize the need for applicants to have a broad general education and in-depth experience in a single discipline. Therefore, most require that the undergraduate program include:

  • one academic year of general biology (BIO 105, 106);
  • one academic year each of inorganic or general chemistry (CHEM 121, 122) and organic chemistry (CHEM 221, 222);
  • English composition (ENG 101, 102) and additional English courses;
  • one semester of precalculus (MATH 150);
  • one academic year of physics (PHYS 201 and 202, or 241 and 242); and
  • one academic year in the humanities.

Within that context, applicants are urged to select some courses from appropriate areas in science (e.g. BIO 206, 300, 307, 341, 342, 410, 430, 450; CHEM 370), and those areas of the social sciences and humanities that prepare students for the humanistic, behavioral, and socio-economic aspects of health care.

At Montevallo, these recommendations can be met in several programs of study leading to a variety of majors and minors.

Applications to medical and dental schools should be submitted approximately one year prior to the expected date of enrollment. Most medical schools require the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which is administered several times a year. Dental schools have the same requirement for their test, the Dental Admission Test (DA). Normally these tests should be taken during the summer after the junior year.

Pre-Optometry

Applicants to an optometric program must have completed 90 credit hours prior to matriculation. No more than 60 credit hours earned at a two-year college may be applied toward this requirement, and applicants with a bachelor’s degree are given preferential consideration.

The following courses are general prerequisites: BIO 105, 106, 300; CHEM 121, 122, 221; ENG 101, 102; MATH 147, 170; PHYS 201 and 202, or 241 and 242.

All applicants must take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), submit letters of recommendation, and take part in an interview. Contact the Health Professions Advisory Committee for more information.

Pre-Pharmacy

Admission requirements differ greatly between the two pharmacy schools in Alabama. In either case, the pre-pharmacy curriculum is a two-year program. Students usually submit an application to the professional school of their choice in the Spring Semester of the sophomore year.

Consult the Health Professions Advisory Committee for assistance in planning for the school of your choice.

Pre-Nursing

Students interested in studying nursing should matriculate in General Education courses, plus the following: BIO 105, 300, 341, 342; CHEM 101, 102; FCS 281; MATH 144 or 147; PHIL 220; PSYC 201, 300, 306; SOC 230.

After completing one year of study, the student should plan to enroll at an accredited nursing school offering a B.S. degree.