Laboratory courses will expose students to the breadth of biological concepts by including evolution, ecology, cell and molecular biology, animal structure and function, and animal genetics and heredity. Evolution is a foundational concept that should be included in every biological sciences course. General Education courses will emphasize the value and contributions of life science to society. Inclusion of integrated scientific process skills development and the importance of science to society must each be evident in at least 25% of the course. This course does not primarily focus on the survey of animal taxonomic groupings because such courses do not exhibit the breadth of topics necessary to meet the descriptor; no more than 50% of course content should be related to the survey of animal taxonomic groupings. Courses will engage students in science as a structured process that generates and refines knowledge through evidence-based decisions. A minimum of 50% of lab activities must show evidence of the development of science process skills.
REVISED: 11/7/2025 - Panel added a clarification on the amount of animal taxonomic groupings. Effective Spring 2026
Previously Revised: Spring 2021 - April 26, 2021 - small clarification on evolution. Previous Revision: 4/5/2019 – Minor tweaks to emphasize content. – Current Tweaks Effective Fall 2019Previous Complete Revision - 11/3/17 for Spring 2018