Skip to main content
Menu
Biology Students in Class

Biology

Overview

Our faculty are committed to mentoring and engaging students in the scientific process and the study of life on Earth.

Apply Now Ask Us About This Program

This program will challenge you to:

  • Study in a research-based curriculum.
  • Build a solid foundation for understanding life on earth.
  • Pursue your own areas of interest within the field of biology.
  • Complete fieldwork and laboratory research for hands-on, in-depth learning.
  • Prepare for medical, dental, veterinary and other graduate schools.
Humanities & Fine Arts Social Sciences & History Natural Sciences & Mathematics Professional Studies & Enhancements
Major
Biology Major

Peaks this program fulfills

  • Natural Sciences & Mathematics

Courses and Requirements

View this degree in the course catalog

Major Requirements

42 credits

Complete the following (19 credits):

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
BIO-201Molecules to Cells3 credits
BIO-201LMolecules to Cells Lab1 credits
or
BIO-210LMolecules to Cells Research-Based Lab1 credits
BIO-202Organismal Biology3 credits
BIO-202LOrganismal Biology1 credits
BIO-203Ecology, Evolution and Diversity3 credits
BIO-203LEcology Evolution and Diversity Lab1 credits
BIO-316Genetics3 credits
BIO-330Cell Biology3 credits
BIO-330LCell Biology Lab1 credits

Complete courses in chemistry, math and physics (8 credits):

The credits for the math requirement (MAT-125 or MAT-212) are counted in the Professional Foundations minor.

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
CHE-141General Chemistry I3 credits
CHE-141LGeneral Chemistry Laboratory I
 
MAT-125Data Analysis and Statistics3 credits
or
MAT-212Multiple Regression Analysis3 credits
 
PHY-231General Physics I3 credits
PHY-231LGeneral Physics I Lab1 credits
or
PHY-271Analytical Physics I3 credits
PHY-271LAnalytical Physics I Lab1 credits

Complete one physiology course (4 credits):

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
BIO-374Animal Physiology3 credits
BIO-374LAnimal Physiology Lab1 credits
BIO-375Plant Physiology3 credits
BIO-375LPlant Physiology Lab1 credits
BIO-376Neurophysiology3 credits
BIO-376LNeurophysiology Lab1 credits
BIO-377Physiology of Extremes3 credits
BIO-377LPhysiology Extremes Lab1 credits

Complete 4-6 credits (to include lab or prep) in ecology, evolution, or systematics:

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
BIO-317Stream Ecology3 credits
BIO-317LStream Ecology Lab1 credits
BIO-319Ichthyology3 credits
BIO-319LIchthyology Lab1 credits
BIO-322.1Field Botany3 credits
BIO-322LField Botany Lab1 credits
BIO-326Coastal Marine Ecology4 credits
BIO-326LCoastal Marine Ecology Lab1 credits
BIO-331Evolution3 credits
BIO-331LEvolution Lab1 credits
BIO-339Mammalogy3 credits
BIO-339LMammalogy Lab1 credits
BIO-340Zoology3 credits
BIO-340LZoology Laboratory1 credits
BIO-345Ecology3 credits
BIO-345LEcology Lab1 credits
BIO-346Field Biology4 credits
and
BIO-346.1Field Biology Preparation2 credits
BIO-349Vertebrate Natural History3 credits
BIO-349LVertebrate Natural History Lab1 credits

Complete the Biology Capstone Seminar and Senior Comprehensive Exam (3 credits):

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
BIO-450Biology Capstone Seminar3 credits
BIO-499Senior Comprehensive Examination

Complete upper-division biology electives (4 or more credits):

Complete additional 300- or 400-level courses to total at least 34 credits of biology coursework, including CHE-412/CHE-412L. Individual/Independent coursework and experiences (BIO-490, BIO-396, BIO-496, BIO-397, INT-497) cannot be used to fulfill the 34 credits required for the Biology major.

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
BIO-Complete additional 300- or 400-level courses to total at least 34 credits of Biology coursework, including CHE-412/CHE-412L

Recommended Electives

For a career in biology, the following electives are recommended:

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
CHE-142General Chemistry II3 credits
CHE-142LGeneral Chemistry Laboratory II
CHE-301Organic Chemistry I3 credits
CHE-301LOrganic Chemistry I Lab1 credits
CHE-302Organic Chemistry II3 credits
CHE-302LOrganic Chemistry II Lab1 credits
 
PHY-232General Physics II3 credits
PHY-232LGeneral Physics II Lab1 credits
or
PHY-272Analytical Physics II3 credits
PHY-272LAnalytical Physics II Lab1 credits
 
MAT-150Applied Calculus: a Modeling Approach4 credits
MAT-175Single Variable Calculus4 credits
MAT-212Multiple Regression Analysis3 credits
 
BIO-396Biology Research1-3 credits
and
BIO-496Biology Research1-3 credits

Humanities & Fine Arts Social Sciences & History Natural Sciences & Mathematics Professional Studies & Enhancements
Major
Biomedical Science Major

Peaks this program fulfills

  • Natural Sciences & Mathematics

Courses and Requirements

View this degree in the course catalog

Major Requirements

42 credits

The credits for the math requirement (MAT-125 or MAT-212) are counted in the Professional Foundations minor.

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
BIO-201Molecules to Cells3 credits
BIO-201LMolecules to Cells Lab1 credits
or
BIO-210LMolecules to Cells Research-Based Lab1 credits
BIO-202Organismal Biology3 credits
BIO-202LOrganismal Biology1 credits
BIO-203Ecology, Evolution and Diversity3 credits
BIO-203LEcology Evolution and Diversity Lab1 credits
BIO-316Genetics3 credits
BIO-330Cell Biology3 credits
BIO-330LCell Biology Lab1 credits
CHE-141General Chemistry I3 credits
CHE-141LGeneral Chemistry Laboratory I
CHE-142General Chemistry II3 credits
CHE-142LGeneral Chemistry Laboratory II
MAT-125Data Analysis and Statistics3 credits
or
MAT-212Multiple Regression Analysis3 credits

Physiology Requirement

Take BIO 224 and 225 (8 credits), OR BIO 374 (4 credits), OR BIO 376 (4 credits)

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
BIO-224Human Anatomy and Physiology I3 credits
BIO-224LHuman Anatomy and Physiology I Lab1 credits
and
BIO-225Human Anatomy and Physiology II3 credits
BIO-225LHuman Anatomy and Physiology II Lab1 credits
or
BIO-374Animal Physiology3 credits
BIO-374LAnimal Physiology Lab1 credits
or
BIO-376Neurophysiology3 credits
BIO-376LNeurophysiology Lab1 credits

Upper-division Electives

Take 7-8 credits from the following:

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
BIO-331Evolution3 credits
BIO-331LEvolution Lab1 credits
BIO-340Zoology3 credits
BIO-340LZoology Laboratory1 credits
BIO-357Molecular Biology3 credits
BIO-360Microbiology3 credits
BIO-360LMicrobiology Lab1 credits
BIO-361Pathobiology3 credits
BIO-365Immunology3 credits
BIO-371Endocrinology3 credits
BIO-372Developmental Biology3 credits
BIO-372LDevelopmental Biology Lab1 credits
CHE-412Biochemistry3 credits
CHE-412LBiochemistry Laboratory1 credits

Senior Capstone Experience

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
BIO-450Biology Capstone Seminar3 credits
BIO-499Senior Comprehensive Examination

Humanities & Fine Arts Social Sciences & History Natural Sciences & Mathematics Professional Studies & Enhancements
Minor
Biology Minor

Peaks this program fulfills

  • Natural Sciences & Mathematics

Courses and Requirements

View this degree in the course catalog

Major Requirements

15-16 credits

Math Courses

Complete 3-4 credits from the following:

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
MAT-125Data Analysis and Statistics3 credits
MAT-212Multiple Regression Analysis3 credits
MAT-150Applied Calculus: a Modeling Approach4 credits

Math credits are counted in Professional Foundations and Enhancements.

Required Biology Courses (12 credits)

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
BIO-201Molecules to Cells3 credits
BIO-201LMolecules to Cells Lab1 credits
or
BIO-210LMolecules to Cells Research-Based Lab1 credits
 
BIO-202Organismal Biology3 credits
BIO-202LOrganismal Biology1 credits
 
BIO-203Ecology, Evolution and Diversity3 credits
BIO-203LEcology Evolution and Diversity Lab1 credits
or
BIO-330Cell Biology3 credits
BIO-330LCell Biology Lab1 credits

Additional Biology Courses (3–4 credits)

Complete an additional biology course 300-level or above.

Humanities & Fine Arts Social Sciences & History Natural Sciences & Mathematics Professional Studies & Enhancements
Minor
Human Biology Minor

Peaks this program fulfills

  • Natural Sciences & Mathematics

Courses and Requirements

View this degree in the course catalog

Minor Requirements

15-16 credits

Math Courses (3-4 credits)

Complete one math course numbered 120 or above (3-4 credits).

Science Courses (12 credits):

Complete 12 credits (including at least two BIO courses, with at least one laboratory course) from the following:

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
BIO-102Biology of Human Disease3 credits
BIO-102LBiology of Human Disease Lab1 credits
BIO-108Human Genetics3 credits
BIO-109Biology of Reproduction3 credits
BIO-129Murder, Medicine and Magic3 credits
BIO-145Drugs, Brains and Behavior3 credits
BIO-145LDrugs, Brain and Behavior Lab1 credits
 
BIO-201Molecules to Cells3 credits
BIO-201LMolecules to Cells Lab1 credits
or
BIO-210LMolecules to Cells Research-Based Lab1 credits
 
CHE-125Elementary Chemistry3 credits
HHP-110Introduction to Exercise Science3 credits
HHP-110LIntroduction to Exercise Science Lab1 credits
HHP-318Applied Nutrition3 credits
HHP-319Mechanical Analysis of Sport3 credits
PSY-202Biological Psychology3 credits
PSY-330Neuropsychology3 credits
BIO-224Human Anatomy and Physiology I3 credits
BIO-224LHuman Anatomy and Physiology I Lab1 credits
BIO-225Human Anatomy and Physiology II3 credits
BIO-225LHuman Anatomy and Physiology II Lab1 credits

Humanities & Fine Arts Social Sciences & History Natural Sciences & Mathematics Professional Studies & Enhancements
Minor
Natural Sciences Minor

Peaks this program fulfills

  • Natural Sciences & Mathematics

Courses and Requirements

View this degree in the course catalog

Minor Requirements

13 credits

This minor requires a total of at least 13 credits, to include at least one lab course and the following:

Math

Complete one math course numbered MAT-120 or higher (3-4 credits).

Physical Sciences

Complete at least 3 credits from the following:

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
CHE-125Elementary Chemistry3 credits
CHE-125LElementary Chemistry Lab1 credits
CHE-141General Chemistry I3 credits
CHE-141LGeneral Chemistry Laboratory I
ENV-161Environmental Systems Science
ENV-161LEnvironmental Systems Science Lab
GEO-101Physical Geology3 credits
GEO-101LPhysical Geology Lab1 credits
GEO-150Physical Geography3 credits
PHY-100The Universe3 credits
PHY-231General Physics I3 credits
PHY-231LGeneral Physics I Lab1 credits

Life Sciences

Complete at least 3 credits from the following:

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
BIO-102Biology of Human Disease3 credits
BIO-102LBiology of Human Disease Lab1 credits
BIO-109Biology of Reproduction3 credits
BIO-129Murder, Medicine and Magic3 credits
BIO-140Idaho Natural History3 credits
BIO-140LIdaho Natural History Lab1 credits
BIO-145Drugs, Brains and Behavior3 credits
 
BIO-201Molecules to Cells3 credits
BIO-201LMolecules to Cells Lab1 credits
or
BIO-210LMolecules to Cells Research-Based Lab1 credits
 
HHP-110Introduction to Exercise Science3 credits
HHP-110LIntroduction to Exercise Science Lab1 credits

Science and Knowledge Culture or Society Relationships

Complete at least 1 course from the following:

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
ENG-239Visions of Environment3 credits
HIS-351History of Science3 credits
PHI-202Bioethics3 credits
PHI-210Human Nature and the Scientific Worldview3 credits
PHI-340Environmental Philosophy3 credits
REL-348Religion and Science3 credits

Ready for Med SchoolDiscovering a love for learning

Daisy Ambriz describes her first-class educational experience in the C of I Biology Department.