Biology

The biological sciences are organized into three departments: the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB), and the Department of Physiology and Neurobiology (PNB). Introductory level courses are listed under General Biology (BIOL).

The Bachelor of Science degree is generally recommended for students planning a scientific career in biology, but the Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences allows a richer liberal arts program and provides good preparation for many careers, including subsequent graduate study.

Credit restriction: In no case may students receive more than 12 credits for courses in biology at the 1000-level.

Biological Sciences Major

The Biological Sciences major gives students a broad training in all aspects of biological sciences and prepares students interested in graduate programs in science, biotechnology, or health (M.D., D.D.S., P.A.), science education, and other related fields. The major can be tailored for a student’s interest in any area of biology. Students can obtain a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. The Biological Sciences B.A. degree does not require students to also take chemistry, physics and calculus and focuses solely on classes related to biology. All Biology majors are required to take the following introductory classes and are encouraged to do so by the end of their sophomore year: BIOL 1107; BIOL 1108 or 1110. Students are required to take a class from each of the five core areas of ecology; evolution; genetics; physiology; cells and molecules.

Ecology: EEB 2244 or 2244W.

Evolution: EEB 2245 or 2245W.

Genetics: MCB 2410 or 2400.

Physiology: PNB 2250, or 2274 and 2275.

Cells and Molecules: MCB 2000, 2210, 2215 or 2610.

Students must complete a total of 36 credits from any EEB, MCB, or PNB course at the 2000 level or higher. Six credits must be at the 3000 level or higher. Students are also required to take a ‘W’ course from any W course offered by EEB, MCB or PNB. A maximum of three independent study credits from among EEB 3899; MCB 3899, 4896, 4989; and PNB 3299 may count toward the 36-credit requirement. A maximum of eight 2000-level or above transfer credits in EEB, MCB, or PNB may count toward the major with approval of the respective department.

A minor in Biological Sciences is described in the Minors section.

Majors are also offered in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Physiology and Neurobiology, and Structural Biology and Biophysics. These majors are described in separate sections in the Catalog.

CLAS Home | Back to top