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.
Requirements
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 Principles of Biology I; BIOL 1108 Principles of Biology II or BIOL 1110 Introduction to Botany. Students are required to take a class from each of the five core areas of ecology, evolution, genetics, physiology, cells and molecules.
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| EEB 2244E | General Ecology | 4 |
| or EEB 2244WE | General Ecology |
| EEB 2245 | Evolutionary Biology | 3 |
| or EEB 2245W | Evolutionary Biology |
| MCB 2410 | Genetics | 3 |
| or MCB 2400 | Human Genetics |
| 3-8 |
| Comparative Animal Physiology | |
| Enhanced Human Physiology and Anatomy I
and Enhanced Human Physiology and Anatomy II | |
| 3-4 |
| Introduction to Biochemistry | |
| Cell Biology | |
| Honors Cell Biology | |
| Fundamentals of Microbiology | |
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 Independent Study; MCB 3899 Independent Study, MCB 4896 Undergraduate Research; MCB 4996 Honors Undergraduate Research; and PNB 3299 Independent Study 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.
University General Education Requirements
Every student must meet a set of core requirements to earn a baccalaureate degree, in addition to those required by the student's major course of study and other requirements set by the student's school or college. For more information about these requirements, please see General Education Requirements.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements
Students must meet a set of requirements established by the college in addition to the University's General Education requirements. For more information, see the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of this catalog.
