Biology Major Requirements
17 courses (plus labs), distributed as follows:
Introductory Biology
Complete the following introductory sequence with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
| BIOL 191 | Introduction to Molecular & Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 192 | Introduction to Organismal Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 293 | Introduction to Ecology & Evolution | 4 |
Chemistry foundation courses
Other foundation courses
Upper-level Core Courses*
A minimum of seven credits from each core area. At least one lab course in each core area. At least one seminar course (BIOL 370).
Courses listed in more than one core area fill a requirement from one or the other core area, but not both.
OR
A minimum of 10 credits from one core area, a minimum of 7 credits from a different core area and a minimum of 4 credits from the third core area. At least one lab course in each core area. At least one seminar course (BIOL 370).
*Core Courses:
Cellular Biology:
Organismal Biology:
Ecology and Evolution:
Senior Research Project**
BIOL 490: Fall or January and Spring
**Biology majors are urged to begin a research experience as early as is practical and should discuss such opportunities with faculty members in the department. For most students, the Senior Project in Biology typically begins no later than spring semester of the junior year when students identify a project mentor and topic in BIOL 392 Research Methods in Biology (2 credits). Most students conduct the bulk of their research experience during the following fall and spring terms (4 credits: typically taken as 2 credits in BIOL 490 Senior Project I and 2 credits in BIOL 490 Senior Project II). The project must be completed and written up (in the format of a scientific journal article) by the end of spring term of the senior year, and presented at the annual Biology Symposium.
Senior Comprehensive Examination
The Senior Comprehensive Exam (SCE) is a graduation requirement used to assess student learning in the biology program. The exam is given annually to graduating biology majors in the spring semester
Biology Degree Pathway
First Year
Fall
Spring
Second Year
Fall
Spring
| Upper-level Biology Courses | |
Third Year
Fall
| Upper-level Biology Courses | |
| Physics Foundation Course | |
Spring
| BIOL 392 | Research Methods in Biology | 2 |
| Physics Foundation Course | |
| Upper-level Biology Courses | |
Fourth Year
Fall
| BIOL 490 | Senior Project in Biology | 4 |
| Upper-level Biology Courses | |
Spring
| BIOL 490 | Senior Project in Biology | 4 |
| Upper-level Biology Courses | |