Biology (BS in Biology)

Required Credit Hours: 37

A minimum of 37 hours of biology as outlined below. In addition Biology majors are required to take CHEM 103 and CHEM 206 (both with their associated labs); MATH 131 (or MATH 111 or MATH 108 ); and one of the following: MATH 132 , MATH 112 , BIOL 327 , or BIOL 325 . Except for BIOL 325 and BIOL 327, these chemistry and math courses are required but do not count towards the minimum 37 credits in biology. Biology majors, especially those planning on pursuing advanced degrees, are strongly recommended to take two semesters of physics and two additional semesters of chemistry. Students who received a score of 5 on the Advanced Placement Examination should consult the catalog section on Requirements for Degrees in regards to credit and exemption options.

Major Computing Requirement:

BIOL 203L - Introduction to Molecules, Cells, Development Laboratory Credits: (1) or
BIOL 204L - Introduction to Organisms, Ecology, Evolution Laboratory Credits: (1)

Major Writing Requirement:

The Major Writing Requirement in biology is fulfilled in the required upper-level seminar, BIOL 460 or a course that is specifically designated as fulfilling the seminar requirement.

Core Requirements:

Principles of Biology:

BIOL 203 - Introduction to Molecules, Cells, Development Credits: (3)
BIOL 203L - Introduction to Molecules, Cells, Development Laboratory Credits: (1) or
BIOL 298 - Freshman Honors Biology Laboratory I Credits: (1)
BIOL 204 - Introduction to Organisms, Ecology, Evolution Credits: (3)
BIOL 204L - Introduction to Organisms, Ecology, Evolution Laboratory Credits: (1) or
BIOL 299 - Freshman Honors Biology Laboratory II Credits: (1)

Integrative and Comparative Biology Requirement

One of the following courses, with their integrated labs:

BIOL 302 - Integrative Biology: Animals Credits: (4)
BIOL 304 - Integrative Biology: Plants Credits: (4)
BIOL 306 - Microbiology Credits: (4)

Molecular/Cellular Biology Requirement:

One of the following courses:

BIOL 310 - Molecular Cell Biology Credits: (3)
BIOL 420 - Genetic Analysis Credits: (3)
BIOL 433 - Developmental Biology Credits: (3)
BIOL 442 - Molecular Genetics Credits: (3)

Population Processes Biology Requirement:

One of the following courses:

BIOL 311 - Ecology Credits: (3)
BIOL 312 - Evolution of Organisms Credits: (3)
BIOL 318 - Conservation Biology Credits: (3)
BIOL 410 - Animal Behavior Credits: (3)
BIOL 412 - Vascular Plant Systematics Credits: (4)
BIOL 417 - Population and Community Ecology Credits: (4)
BIOL 426 - Aquatic Ecology Credits: (4)
BIOL 427 - Wetland Ecosystems Credits: (4)

Advanced Laboratory Experience:

Laboratory work in at least one 400 level course. BIOL 403 and/or BIOL 495 -BIOL 496 cannot substitute for the laboratory requirement.

Advanced Seminar Requirement:

BIOL 460 - Advanced Seminar in Biology Credits: (3) or
Course specifically designated as a seminar course.

Additional Requirement:

The remainder of the 37 credits can be completed by any additional 300 or 400 level BIOL courses unless taken pass/fail or specifically noted as not counting toward minimum requirements in the course description. BIOL 303 (always taken pass/fail) cannot be applied to the minimum requirements. Up to 3 credits of BIOL 403 can be counted toward the minimum requirements.

Additional Information:

100 level biology courses and BIOL 201 are not applicable towards the minimum requirements.