Biology Major
Requirements for a Major in Biology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Biology courses | (38 credits) | |
| BI-140 | Introduction to Organismal Biology | 4 |
| BI-141 | Intro to Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BI-200 | Human Biology (OR BI-161 AND BI-162 (Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II) | 4 |
| BI-202 | Principles of Ecology | 4 |
| BI-203 | Genetics | 4 |
| BI-204 | Microbiology | 4 |
| BI-404 | Biology Seminar | 2 |
| 3 Upper Division Electives (300 or 400 level lab courses) | 12 | |
| Ancillary Requirements | (29 credits) | |
| MA-150 | Statistics I | 3 |
| MA-190 | Pre-calculus (or Higher) | 4 |
| CH-120 & CH-121 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II | 8 |
| CH-201 & CH-202 | Organic Chemistry I (lecture) and Organic Chemistry II (lecture) | 6 |
| PY-221 & PY-222 | General Physics I and General Physics II | 8 |
| or PY-241 & PY-242 | Physics I (Mechanics) and Physics II ( Electricity, Magnetism and Optics ) | |
| Total Credits | 67 | |
Students who also complete CH-203 and CH-204, and 3 additional credits in 200-level or higher chemistry courses can earn a chemistry minor.
Biology Upper-Level Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Cellular & Molecular Pathways | ||
| BI-306 | Developmental Biology | 4 |
| BI-324 | Endocrinology | 4 |
| BI-341 | Mycology | 4 |
| BI-371 | Advanced Topics in Cell and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BI-372 | Immunology | 4 |
| BI-375 | Virology | 4 |
| BI-398 | Cancer Biology | 4 |
| BT-375 | Tissue Culture | 4 |
| BT-376 | Biotechnology | 4 |
| BT-377 | Fermentation Technology | 4 |
| BT-378 | Bioinformatics | 4 |
| BI/CH-410 | Biochemistry I | 4 |
| Organismal & Ecological Systems | (48 credits) | |
| BI-301 | Topics in Invertebrate Zoology | 4 |
| BI-303 | Parasitology | 4 |
| BI-304 | Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy | 4 |
| BI-315 | Comparative Neurobiology | 4 |
| BI-321 | Comparative Physiology | 4 |
| BI-331 | Marine Biology | 4 |
| BI-333 | Topics in Vertebrate Zoology | 4 |
| BI-334 | Wildlife Biology | 4 |
| BI-340 | Plant Sciences | 4 |
| BI-344 | Soil Biology | 4 |
| BI-360 | Animal Behavior | 4 |
| BI-380 | Biodiversity and Conservation Biology | 4 |
(Note: Pre-med and graduate school candidates should also take CH-203 & CH-204 in addition to CH-201 and CH-202)
A minimum of three upper division laboratory courses (BI 300- or BI 400-level) are to be selected. Students must take at least one course from each category. Additional upper level elective courses or graduate research/internships are strongly encouraged. The courses should be selected with the advice and consent of the faculty advisor. A grade point average of 2.0 must be maintained in biology courses and in the ancillary science and mathematics courses. Students considering graduate and professional work should take, as a recommended minimum, calculus and introduction to computer science.
Sample Timeline for Completion of Degree
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester One | Credits | |
| BI-140 | Introduction to Organismal Biology | 4 |
| CH-120 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| EN-101 | College Writing I 1 | 3 |
| MA-190 | Pre-calculus | 4 |
| LASC | First-Year Seminar | 3 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| BI-141 | Intro to Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| CH-121 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| EN-102 | College Writing II 1 | 3 |
| MA-150 | Statistics I | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Semester Three | ||
| BI-204 | Microbiology | 4 |
| CH-201 | Organic Chemistry I (lecture) 5 | 3 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (ICW) 4 | 3 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (CON) 4 | 3 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (USW) 4 | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| BI-203 | Genetics | 4 |
| CH-202 | Organic Chemistry II (lecture) 5 | 3 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (GP) 4 | 3 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (CA) 4 | 3 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (ICW) | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Semester Five | ||
| BI-202 | Principles of Ecology | 4 |
| PY-221 | General Physics I 6,7 | 4 |
| LASC | Ancillary or LASC Distribution 4 | 3 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (TLC) 4 | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| BI-200 | Human Biology 4 | 4 |
| BI-3XX+ | 300 or 400 Major Elective | |
| PY-222 | General Physics II 6 | 4 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (HBS) 4 | 3 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Semester Seven | ||
| BI-3XX+ | 300 or 400 Major Elective Lab | 4 |
| BI-3XX+ | 300 or 400 Major Elective Lab | 4 |
| LASC | LASC Elective 4 | 3 |
| SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| BI-3XX+ | 300 or 400 Major Elective Lab | 4 |
| BI-404 | Biology Seminar 8 | 2 |
| SELECT | Additional Science | 4 |
| SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 116 | |
- 1
- 2
MA-190 requires an Accuplacer score of 6 or higher.
- 3
MA-150 requires an Accuplacer score of 4 or higher.
- 4
The sequence of LASC courses is a suggestion but serves as a reminder that LASC designated courses must be taken to satisfy the LASC requirements.
- 5
Pre-med and Graduate school candidates should also take CH-203 & CH-204
in addition to CH-201 and CH-202. 200 level Biology courses may be taken in any order.- 6
Physics Requirements: PY-221 & PY-222 OR PY-241 & PY-242 satisfies LASC NSP.
- 7
All biology core courses must be completed before taking BI-404 (BI-140, BI-141,BI-200 or BI-161 & BI-162, BI-202, BI-203, BI-204).
Students are required to meet with their academic advisor to review their courses for the upcoming semester. A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation. First-year and transfer students with 45 or fewer credits at the time of admission shall complete two academic programs (a major/major or major/minor) to qualify for graduation. For more information, please view the MajorPlus section of this catalog.