BIOL 150: Advising Notes - Fall 2023 and beyond

Hi Team,

 After a lively discussion and vote, the Collegewide Curriculum Committee passed the proposal to change the requirements for BIOL 150.  This is a big modification, which impacts a lot of students.  It will alter your fall advising practices and you will see the change in the forthcoming 2023-24 catalog. 

Summary of changes:

• The requirements have changed from an assessment level of MATH 117 to a completed pre-requisite of MATH 117 or higher for those majors requiring basic college level math

OR

pre- or co-requisite of MATH 150 or MATH 165 or higher for those majors requiring a higher level math.  The ENGL 101/ENGL 011, READ 120 level remains the same.

Additional considerations:

• This means that students will not be able to take BIOL 150 at the same time as a basic college level math course and will likely delay the biology sequence for many students, particularly those in the health fields.
  
  
• This will have implications for Middle College sequencing and those pathways will likely need to be updated accordingly. This may affect fall advising.
  
  
• The following majors will be required to have MATH 150, MATH 165 or higher as either a pre or co-requisite: Biology, Chem/Biochem, Math, Environmental Science, and Public Health.
  
  
• The following majors will be required to have a completed MATH 117 or higher as a pre-requisite: Gen Studies STEM (depending on pathway), Pre-nursing, Pre-rad tech, Pre-sonography, Pre-surgical tech, Pre-physical therapy assisting, Exercise Science, Physical Education, Biotechnology, and Community Health.

The biology department hopes that students will build math skills needed to be successful in the BIOL 150 course, which was the underlying reason for the change to a pre-requisite model instead of assessment level. 

Advising Notes:

A student can register for BIOL 150/L under the following conditions:

• They have successfully completed MATH 117 or higher.

OR

• They have not successfully completed MATH 117 or higher but are currently registered for MATH 150 or higher.

 There is no additional MATH classes for the health sciences.

Clarification of Course Note - Coding in Banner:   see BIOL150 FA23 Banner Coding.xlsx

Students should consult with a program advisor about the MATH options: MATH 117 or higher is the pre-requisite for Nursing and Health Sciences students, and MATH 150 or MATH 165 or higher is the pre- or co-requisite for Business or Biological Science majors.

CBIOL150MA is the correct Area. See the attached Excel. All of the rows are OR conditions. Prerequisites are MATH 117 or higher completed or MATH 150 or 165 or higher which can be completed or concurrent.