Major Requirements

Fall 23 courses satisfying menu area requirements

Pre- and Co-Requisites (or demonstrated proficiency#)

For the B.S. Degree

For the B.A. Degree
  • Core Concepts in Chemistry (CHM 101DL) or Honors Chemistry: Core Concepts in context (CHM 110DL) or General Chemistry Credit (CHM 21)
  • Core Concepts in Chemistry (CHM 101DL) or Honors Chemistry: Core Concepts in context (CHM 110DL) or General Chemistry Credit (CHM 21)
  • Laboratory Calculus I (MTH 111L) or Laboratory Calculus and Functions I and II (MATH 105L AND 106L) or Introductory Calculus (MATH 21 AP credit or 121)
  • STA 101 or STA 102 or above or Laboratory Calculus I (MTH 111L) or Laboratory Calculus and Functions I and II (MATH 105L AND 106L) or Introductory Calculus (MATH 21 AP credit or 121)*
  • STA 101 or STA 102 or above OR Laboratory Calculus II (MATH 112L) or Introductory Calculus II (MATH 22 AP or 122) *
  • Not required
  • Organic Chemistry (CHEM201DL) 
  • Not required
  • General Physics I (PHYSICS 141L) or Introductory Mechanics (PHYSICS 151L) or Fundamentals of Physics I (PHYSICS 161D) or Physics C Mech. AP credit (PHYSICS 25)
  • Not required

*or EvAnth 585 or PSY 204 and 205 - cannot double count as EvAnth 585 an elective if used to fulfill math requirement 

Note: CHM 210DL, CHM 202L & PHY 142L recommended for pre-med, pre-vet, biochem, pharmacology, others 

# Demonstrated proficiency may include equivalent AP credit, transfer credit, or Duke co- and pre-requisite courses taken S/U.

For the B.A. and B.S. Degrees, 10 courses in Biology: 

The ten courses in Biology and approved alternates for the Biology major must be taken for a letter grade. This includes Gateway courses, Ecology, Diversity, and Structure/Function areas, and all electives including approved alternates and Independent Study. Courses taken S/U will not count towards the major, with the exception of co-requisite courses. 
 

Gateway Courses in Biology (1 or 2 courses) 
  • Molecular Biology (Biology 201L) prereq; Chem 101DL or equivalent
  • Genetics & Evolution (Biology 202L)

or 

  • Molecular Biology, Genetics & Evolution (Biology 203L) prereq; BIO AP 5 & Chem 101DL or equivalent 
Biology Area Menus (3 courses): 1 approved course in each area

Note: A course listed in two areas may only be used to meet one area requirement. 

    Biology Electives (5 or 6 courses) 

    - All Biology courses numbered between 205-699 are acceptable as electives (if not used for area menu requirements above).
    - At least 3 electives must be in courses listed or cross-listed as Biology at the 200-level or above. This may include Biochem 301 & maximum of 2 independent studies or tutorials (BIO, BIOCHEM, PHARM, PATH, NEUROBIO, CELLBIO, IMM, MGM, others by approval).
    - A maximum of 2 approved independent studies or tutorials may count toward the major.
    - A maximum of 2 or 3 approved alternate elective in the biological sciences may be counted toward the major (depending on Gateway sequence).

    • 3 biology elective courses

    and

    The Area Menu & Elective Courses Above Must Include:
    1. At least two full lab courses, beyond the Gateways. Only one Independent study may count as a lab course. 
    2. At least one full Biology ‘Capstone’ at the 400-level or above. Independent Study can only count towards this requirement if it is a second semester continuation with the same research supervisor.