Our faculty are committed to mentoring and engaging students in the scientific process and the study of life on Earth.
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.
Peaks this program fulfills
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Courses and Requirements
View this degree in the course catalog
45-48 credits (Total does not include prerequisite courses)
Major Requirements
Complete the following (19 credits):
| Course ID | Course Name | Number of Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-201 | Biology I: Molecules to Cells | 3 credits |
| BIO-201L | Molecules to Cells Lab | 1 credits |
| or | ||
| BIO-210L | Molecules to Cells Research-Based Lab | 1 credits |
| BIO-202 | Organismal Biology | 3 credits |
| BIO-202L | Organismal Biology | 1 credits |
| BIO-203 | Ecology, Evolution and Diversity | 3 credits |
| BIO-203L | Ecology Evolution and Diversity Lab | 1 credits |
| BIO-316 | Genetics | 3 credits |
| BIO-330 | Cell Biology | 3 credits |
| BIO-330L | Cell Biology Lab | 1 credits |
Complete courses in Chemistry, Math and Physics (11-12 credits):
| Course ID | Course Name | Number of Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHE-141 | General Chemistry I | 4 credits |
| MAT-125 | Data Analysis and Statistics | 3 credits |
| or | ||
| MAT-212 | Multiple Regression Analysis | 3 credits |
| PHY-231 | General Physics I | 3 credits |
| PHY-231L | General Physics I Lab | 1 credits |
| or | ||
| PHY-271 | Analytical Physics I | 4 credits |
| PHY-271L | Analytical Physics I Lab | 1 credits |
Complete one Physiology course (4 credits) from the following:
| Course ID | Course Name | Number of Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-374 | Animal Physiology | 3 credits |
| BIO-374L | Animal Physiology Lab | 1 credits |
| BIO-375 | Plant Physiology | 3 credits |
| BIO-375L | Plant Physiology Lab | 1 credits |
| BIO-376 | Neurophysiology | 3 credits |
| BIO-376L | Neurophysiology Lab | 1 credits |
| BIO-377 | Physiology of Extremes | 3 credits |
| BIO-377L | Physiology Extremes Lab | 1 credits |
Complete 4-6 credits (to include lab or prep) in Ecology, Evolution, or Systematics from the following:
| Course ID | Course Name | Number of Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-317 | Stream Ecology | 3 credits |
| BIO-317L | Stream Ecology Lab | 1 credits |
| BIO-319 | Ichthyology | 3 credits |
| BIO-319L | Ichthyology Lab | 1 credits |
| BIO-322.1 | Field Botany | 3 credits |
| BIO-322L | Field Botany Lab | 1 credits |
| BIO-326 | Coastal Marine Ecology | 4 credits |
| BIO-326L | Coastal Marine Ecology Lab | 1 credits |
| BIO-331 | Evolution | 3 credits |
| BIO-331L | Evolution Lab | 1 credits |
| BIO-339 | Mammalogy | 3 credits |
| BIO-339L | Mammalogy Lab | 1 credits |
| BIO-345 | Ecology | 3 credits |
| BIO-345L | Ecology Lab | 1 credits |
| BIO-346 | Field Biology | 4 credits |
| and | ||
| BIO-346.1 | Field Biology Preparation | 2 credits |
| BIO-349 | Vertebrate Natural History | 3 credits |
| BIO-349L | Vertebrate Natural History Lab | 1 credits |
Complete the Biology Capstone Seminar and Senior Comprehensive Exam (3 credits):
| Course ID | Course Name | Number of Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-450 | Biology Capstone Seminar | 3 credits |
| BIO-499 | Senior Comprehensive Examination |
Complete Upper Division Biology Electives (4 or more credits):
| 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-142 | General Chemistry II | 4 credits |
| CHE-301 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHE-301L | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 credits |
| CHE-302 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHE-302L | Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 credits |
| PHY-232 | General Physics II | 3 credits |
| PHY-232L | General Physics II Lab | 1 credits |
| or | ||
| PHY-272 | Analytical Physics II | 4 credits |
| PHY-272L | Analytical Physics II Lab | 1 credits |
| MAT-150 | Applied Calculus: a Modeling Approach | 4 credits |
| MAT-175 | Single Variable Calculus | 4 credits |
| MAT-212 | Multiple Regression Analysis | 3 credits |
| BIO-396 | Biology Research | 1-3 credits |
| and | ||
| BIO-496 | Biology Research | 1-3 credits |
Peaks this program fulfills
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Courses and Requirements
View this degree in the course catalog
21-24 credits (Total does not include prerequisite courses)
Minor Requirements
Math Courses
Complete 3-4 credits from the following:
| Course ID | Course Name | Number of Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MAT-125 | Data Analysis and Statistics | 3 credits |
| MAT-212 | Multiple Regression Analysis | 3 credits |
| MAT-150 | Applied Calculus: a Modeling Approach | 4 credits |
Biology Required Courses
| Course ID | Course Name | Number of Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-201 | Biology I: Molecules to Cells | 3 credits |
| BIO-201L | Molecules to Cells Lab | 1 credits |
| or | ||
| BIO-210L | Molecules to Cells Research-Based Lab | 1 credits |
| BIO-202 | Organismal Biology | 3 credits |
| BIO-202L | Organismal Biology | 1 credits |
| BIO-203 | Ecology, Evolution and Diversity | 3 credits |
| BIO-203L | Ecology Evolution and Diversity Lab | 1 credits |
| or | ||
| BIO-330 | Cell Biology | 3 credits |
| BIO-330L | Cell Biology Lab | 1 credits |
Additional Biology Courses
| Course ID | Course Name | Number of Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO- | BIO Complete 2 additional Biology Courses, 1 course must be 300-level or above |
Students who wish to receive certification in biology as a second teaching field must complete 20 credits of biology including this minor. In such a case, this minor should include the following:
| Course ID | Course Name | Number of Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-203 | Ecology, Evolution and Diversity | 3 credits |
| BIO-300-level | Any Systematics course |
Peaks this program fulfills
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Courses and Requirements
View this degree in the course catalog
Biochemistry major coursework and laboratories
Chemistry Department required courses and laboratories
| Course ID | Course Name | Number of Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHE-141 | General Chemistry I | 4 credits |
| CHE-142 | General Chemistry II | 4 credits |
| CHE-301 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHE-301L | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 credits |
| CHE-302 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHE-302L | Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 credits |
| CHE-412 | Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| CHE-412L | Biochemistry Laboratory | 1 credits |
| CHE-465 | Physical Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHE-465L | Physical Chemistry II Lab & Recitation | 1 credits |
| CHE-471 | Biochemistry Capstone | 2 credits |
internship/research
Biochemistry Majors are required to complete one of the following for a minimum of 1 credit:
| Course ID | Course Name | Number of Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHE-395 | Chemistry Research | 1-3 credits |
| or | ||
| CHE-397 | Internship | 1-3 credits |
| or | ||
| CHE-495 | Chemistry Research | 1-3 credits |
| or | ||
| CHE-497 | Internship | 1-6 credits |
Biology Department required courses and laboratories
| Course ID | Course Name | Number of Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-201 | Biology I: Molecules to Cells | 3 credits |
| BIO-201L | Molecules to Cells Lab | 1 credits |
| BIO-316 | Genetics | 3 credits |
| BIO-330 | Cell Biology | 3 credits |
| BIO-330L | Cell Biology Lab | 1 credits |
Biochemistry majors will not be required to take BIO 202 Organismal Biology. Because this course is normally a prerequisite for BIO 330 Cell Biology and other upper division Biology courses, Biochemistry majors must have junior standing and receive permission from the Biochemistry Major Supervisor or Biology Department Chair to register for BIO 330 without this prerequisite.
Biology Department course options for molecular biology
Biochemistry majors must take one of the following courses (with associated lab) which address current techniques and theory in the area of molecular biology
| Course ID | Course Name | Number of Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-331 | Evolution | 3 credits |
| BIO-331L | Evolution Lab | 1 credits |
| or | ||
| BIO-357 | Molecular Biology | 3 credits |
| or | ||
| BIO-372 | Developmental Biology | 3 credits |
| BIO-372L | Developmental Biology Lab | 1 credits |
| or | ||
| BIO-376 | Neurophysiology | 3 credits |
| BIO-376L | Neurophysiology Lab | 1 credits |
Mathematics and Physical Science Department required courses and laboratories
| Course ID | Course Name | Number of Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MAT-175 | Single Variable Calculus | 4 credits |
| PHY-271 | Analytical Physics I | 4 credits |
| PHY-271L | Analytical Physics I Lab | 1 credits |
| PHY-272 | Analytical Physics II | 4 credits |
| PHY-272L | Analytical Physics II Lab | 1 credits |
Mat 175 requires prerequisite of MAT 150 or placement by Mathematics and Physical Sciences Department
Peaks this program fulfills
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Courses and Requirements
View this degree in the course catalog
Minor Requirements
15-16 credits (Total does not include prerequisite courses)
Math Requirement (3-4 credits)
Complete one Math course numbered 111 or above (3-4 credits). May not include MAT-221 or MAT-222.
Science Requirement (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-102 | Biology of Human Disease | 3 credits |
| BIO-102L | Biology of Human Disease Lab | 1 credits |
| BIO-108 | Human Genetics | 3 credits |
| BIO-109 | Biology of Reproduction | 3 credits |
| BIO-129 | Murder, Medicine and Magic | 3 credits |
| BIO-145 | Drugs, Brains and Behavior | 3 credits |
| BIO-145L | Drugs, Brain and Behavior Lab | 1 credits |
| BIO-159 | Cellular Basis of Human Physiology | 3 credits |
| BIO-159L | Cellular Basis of Human Physiology Lab | 1 credits |
| BIO-201 | Biology I: Molecules to Cells | 3 credits |
| BIO-201L | Molecules to Cells Lab | 1 credits |
| or | ||
| BIO-210L | Molecules to Cells Research-Based Lab | 1 credits |
| CHE-125 | Elementary Chemistry | 3 credits |
| HHP-106 | Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3 credits |
| HHP-318 | Applied Nutrition | 3 credits |
| HHP-319 | Mechanical Analysis of Sport | 3 credits |
| PSY-202 | Biological Psychology | 3 credits |
| PSY-330 | Neuropsychology | 3 credits |