Biology Major

Required:

Seven additional courses (28 hrs.) selected from the groups shown below.

The courses above, plus seven courses chosen from groups I-IV below. Five of the seven must be lab courses. Lab courses are noted with the * symbol. Of the seven, take at least one course from each group, plus three more courses distributed over two of the groups. Two course must be at the 3000-level or above.

Group 1:

Cell/Molecular Biology (at least one course)

Group 2:

Organismal Biology (at least one course)

Group 3:

Diversity (at least one course)

Group 4:

Population/Ecosystem Biology (at least one course)

Alternative Lab courses

Alternative lab courses BIO 1172 and 2211 may be included as part of the five labs BUT you still need seven courses from the groups.

Departmental Writing Requirement

The Department of Biology extends writing throughout the major. Students who major in Biology are required to take two writing-intensive courses, plus one Senior Capstone. Writing-intensive courses are noted with the # symbol.

Strongly Recommended Courses:

Suggested First-Year Schedule:

BIO 1111 - Principles of Biology and
BIO 1117 - Topics in Biology
CHE 1101 - Introductory Chemistry I: Structure and Bonding
or CHE 1103 - General Chemistry I: Structure and Bonding
and
CHE 1102 - Introductory Chemistry II: Chemical Reactivity
or CHE 1104 - General Chemistry II: Chemical Reactivity
Introductory English
First Year Seminar
Other courses as appropriate for the individual

Notes:

The course load for each semester is usually four courses. All Biology majors should take Principles of Biology (BIO 1111, 1117). Students who decide to take Introductory Chemistry (CHE 1101, 1102) or General Chemistry (CHE 1103, 1104) in their first year should consult with their advisor or, if their advisor is from another Department, with a faculty member in the Biology Department before making this decision. The third first-year course is usually Introductory English. The other courses should be chosen to fulfill a general college Requirement as well as the First Year Seminar requirement.
All courses should be selected only after consultation with their academic advisor.