BS in Biology Curriculum
Students majoring in biology must meet the following requirements for graduation:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Curriculum 1 | 46 | |
| Modern Language Requirement | 3-6 | |
| Biological Science Core Requirements | ||
| BIO 150 & 150L | General Biology for Majors and General Biology for Majors Laboratory | 4 |
| BIO 151 & 151L | Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics and Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics Lab | 4 |
| BIO 152 & 152L | Ecological and Biological Diversity and Ecological and Biological Diversity Laboratory | 4 |
| BIO 298 | Research Methods in Biology | 3 |
| Physical Science Core Requirements | ||
| CHE 110 & 110L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| CHE 111 & 111L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| CHE 210 & 210L | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| CHE 211 & 211L | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| PHY 110 & 110L | General Physics I and General Physics I Lab | 4 |
| PHY 111 & 111L | General Physics II and General Physics II Lab | 4 |
| Biology Electives 2 | ||
| Select a minimum of one course from each of the following categories: | ||
| Molecular and Cellular Electives: | 3 | |
| Cellular Communication | ||
| Genetics and Genetics Lab | ||
| Developmental Biology and Developmental Biology Lab | ||
| Cell Physiology and Cell Physiology Lab | ||
| Cancer Biology | ||
| Human Genetics and Human Genetics Lab | ||
| Molecular Genetics and Molecular Genetics Lab | ||
| Organismal Electives: | 3 | |
| Environmental Biotechnology | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Invertebrate Zoology and Invertebrate Zoology Lab | ||
| Vertebrate Zoology and Vertebrate Zoology Lab | ||
| Human Clinical Parasitology and Human Clinical Parasitology Lab | ||
| Botany and Botany Lab | ||
| Conservation Biology and Conservation Biology Lab | ||
| Physiological Models for Human Disease and Physiological Models for Human Disease Lab | ||
| Evolution | ||
| Physiology Electives: | 3 | |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab I | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | ||
| Physiological Diversity and Physiological Diversity Lab | ||
| Neurobiology | ||
| Cardiovascular Physiology | ||
| Experiential Learning (Biological Component): | ||
| BIO 385 | Explorations in Biology | 1-4 |
| BIO 491 | Independent Research in Biological Science | 1 |
| BIO 492 | Independent Research in Biological Sciences | 2 |
| BIO 493 | Independent Research in Biological Sciences | 3 |
| BIO 494 | Independent Research in Biological Sciences | 4 |
| BIO 498 | Independent Study in Biology | 1-4 |
| BIO 499 | Independent Study in Biology | 1-4 |
| Open Electives | 20-31 | |
| Total Credits | 130-153 | |
Students choose courses and follow a curriculum determined in consultation with their adviser. The minimum number of credits required for graduation is 120. Students take open electives to fulfill the minimum number of credits for graduation. A sample course plan that fulfills the requirements for the Biology major is shown below. Individual planning will vary based on a number of factors (e.g., Advanced Placement and/or transfer credits).
Sample Course Schedule
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BIO 150 & 150L | General Biology for Majors and General Biology for Majors Laboratory | 4 |
| CHE 110 & 110L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| EN 101 | Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing | 3 |
| FYS 101 | First-Year Seminar | 3 |
| MA 140 | Pre-Calculus | 3 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 151 & 151L | Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics and Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics Lab | 4 |
| CHE 111 & 111L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| EN 102 | Academic Writing and Research | 3 |
| MA 141 | Calculus of a Single Variable | 3 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BIO 152 & 152L | Ecological and Biological Diversity and Ecological and Biological Diversity Laboratory 4 | 4 |
| CHE 210 & 210L | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| UC University Curriculum | 3 | |
| UC University Curriculum | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 1-2 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 298 | Research Methods in Biology 4 | 3 |
| BIO Biology Elective 3 | 3-4 | |
| CHE 211 & 211L | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| UC University Curriculum | 3 | |
| UC University Curriculum | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BIO Biology Elective 3 | 3-4 | |
| PHY 110 & 110L | General Physics I and General Physics I Lab | 4 |
| UC University Curriculum | 3 | |
| Foreign Language I | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 1-2 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO Biology Elective 3 | 3-4 | |
| PHY 111 & 111L | General Physics II and General Physics II Lab | 4 |
| UC University Curriculum | 3 | |
| Foreign Language II | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 1-2 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BIO Biology Elective 3 | 3-4 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 2-3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| UC Integrative Capstone | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 5 | |
- 1
All students must complete the 46 credits of the University Curriculum.
- 2
Corequisite courses must be taken simultaneously.
- 3
Some biology courses have no laboratory component and are 3-credit rather than 4-credit courses.
- 4
Initial placement in the English and mathematics courses is determined by placement exam and an evaluation of high school units presented. Students intending to pursue graduate or professional studies (medicine, dentistry, osteopathy or veterinary medicine) are advised to complete at least one semester of calculus. A minimum of MA 141 is required for graduation. BIO 150/BIO 150L, BIO 151/BIO 151L and BIO 152/BIO 152L are required for graduation. Students intending to pursue studies in professional health care fields are advised to complete additional courses chosen in consultation with their adviser.
Modern Language Requirement
All CAS students (both bachelor of science and bachelor of arts) must complete one modern language through the 102 level. Modern language courses may also count toward the UC Personal Inquiry II requirement. Students who have taken a language in high school should take the modern language placement test for that language. Students with placement scores at the 201 level or higher have demonstrated language competency and thus have passed out of the language requirement.