Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics
Professors Bharara, Byrd (Chair), Hardig; Associate Professors Herron, Hope, Sterner, Tidwell, Tyler, Wicknick; Assistant Professors Brande, Martin, Mathews, Morgan, Morris, Noerager, Sestero, Tinsley.
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 (at least 4 credit hours of which must be either BIO 310, 380, 390, 460, or 470); 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, 320, 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, 320, 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, 320, 321, 370, 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, 271, 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, Game Studies and Design, and Mathematics.
The Biology minor consists of BIO 105 and 106; BIO 205 or 206; 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, 320, and one additional course from the following: CHEM 321, 370, 420, 450.
A Game Studies and Design minor consists of GSD 210, 225, 301, 302, and four additional courses from the following: ENG 301, 361, MATH 202, MK 351, PHIL 300, SOC 303.
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: MSCI 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 |
| 235 |
Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry |
3 |
| 255 |
Chemical Computations |
3 |
| 270 |
Introductory Biochemistry |
3 |
| 310 |
Principles of Physical Chemistry |
3 |
| 320 |
Analytical Chemistry |
4 |
| 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 |
3–4 |
| 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 |
Game Studies and Design (GSD)
| Course number |
Course name |
Credit hours |
| 210 |
History of Games |
3 |
| 225 |
Survey of Modern Games |
3 |
| 295 |
Special Topics |
1–3 |
| 301 |
Game Design Workshop I |
3 |
| 302 |
Game Design Workshop II |
3 |
| 395 |
Special Topics |
1–3 |
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 |
| 202 |
Mathematics of Games |
3 |
| 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 |
| 271 |
Sequences, Series, and Indeterminate Forms |
2 |
| 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 |
Biology and Chemistry: Pre-Professional Programs
Chair of the Health Professions Advisory Committee: Professor Byrd
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. Byrd, 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. Byrd 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. Byrd, 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 socioeconomic 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 contact the Chair of the Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
