Biology Major Requirements

Download Requirement Worksheet (PDF)

Pre/Corequisites

Chemistry

For B.S. Degree	For B.A. Degree
CHEM 101DL Core Concepts in Chemistry OR CHEM 110DL Honors Chemistry: Core Concepts in context OR CHEM 21 General Chemistry Credit	CHEM 101DL Core Concepts in Chemistry OR CHEM 110DL Honors Chemistry: Core Concepts in context OR CHEM 21 General Chemistry Credit
CHEM201DL Organic Chemistry

NOTE: CHEM 210DL and CHEM 202L are recommended for pre-med, pre-vet, biochem and pharm students.

Math

For B.S. Degree	For B.A. Degree
MATH 111L Laboratory Calculus I OR MATH 121 Introductory Calculus I OR MATH 21 Introductory Calculus I OR BOTH MATH 105L/106L Laboratory Calculus and Functions I and II	BOTH MATH 105L/106L Laboratory Calculus and Functions I and II OR MATH 111L Laboratory Calculus I (OR Math 21 or 112L or 122) OR STA 102 Introductory Biostatistics  OR BIOLOGY 304 (204) Biological Data Analysis (cannot be double counted as an elective) OR STA 101 or above OR EvAnth 585 (cannot be double counted as an approved alt elective)
STA 102 Introductory Biostatistics  OR STA 101 or above  OR BIOLOGY 304  Biological Data Analysis (cannot be double counted as an elective) OR EvAnth 585 (cannot be double counted as an approved alt elective) OR MATH 112L Laboratory Calculus II OR MATH 122 Introductory Calculus II OR MATH 22 Introductory Calculus II

Physics

For B.S. Degree	For B.A. Degree
PHYSICS 141L General Physics I OR PHYSICS 151L Introductory Mechanics OR PHYSICS 161L Introductory Experimental Physics I OR PHYSICS 25 (Physics C Mech. AP credit)	No physics required.

NOTE: PHYSICS 142L is recommended for pre-med, pre-vet, biochem and pharm students.

Biology Major Requirements (minimum 10 Courses)

The following courses are required for students pursuing both the B.S. and B.A. biology credentials.

Gateway Courses (2 or 1 courses)

The gateways are not sequenced and can be taken in either order.

• BIOLOGY 201L Molecular Biology (prerequisite: Chem 101D or equivalent)
• BIOLOGY 202L Genetics & Evolution

OR

• BIOLOGY 203L Molecular Biology, Genetics & Evolution (prerequisite: Biology AP 5 and Chem 101D or equivalent)

Biology Area Requirements (3 courses)

Select 1 course from EACH of the following three areas. Courses listed in more than one area may only be used to meet one area requirement.

• 1 course - Organismal Diversity
• 1 course - Biological Structure & Function
• 1 course - Ecology

General Biology Electives (5 or 6 courses)

At least 3 electives must be courses listed or cross-listed as biology. These may include Biochem 301 and a maximum of 2 approved Independent Study (BIO, BIOCHEM, PHARM, PATHOL, NEUROBIO, CELLBIO, IMMUNOL, and MGM). All biology courses numbered between 204-699 plus BIO 199D are acceptable as elective courses for the major (if not used for area requirement above). In addition, a list of approved alternative elective courses has also been compiled. A maximum of 2 or 3 approved alternate electives in the biological sciences may be counted toward the major (depending on Gateway sequence). A maximum of 2 approved independent studies or tutorials may count toward the major.

• 3 biology elective courses

AND

• 2 biology elective or approved alternate elective courses (if using Bio 201L & 202L) OR 3 biology elective or approved alternate elective courses (if using Bio 203L)

Lab Experience Requirement

Through your area requirement and elective courses, you must take at least 2 full lab courses in addition to the Gateway courses. Courses must be at the 200 level or above. A maximum of 1 independent study may count as a lab course.

Capstone Course Requirement

Through your area requirement and elective courses, you must take at least 1 full 400-level or higher course listed or cross-listed in BIOLOGY. Approved Independent study can count towards this requirement if it is a second semester continuation.