Biology Major

Required Courses (24 credits):

Six additional courses (24 credits):

Four of the six courses must be BIO lab courses. Lab courses are denoted with the * symbol. Of the six courses selected, two BIO courses must be at the 3000-level (denoted with the # symbol).

Group A: Molecules and Cells

Choose two courses

Group B: Organisms and Interactions

Choose two courses

BIO 2201 - Vertebrate Diversity *
BIO 2202 - Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates *
BIO 2204 - Botany *
BIO 2205 - Invertebrate Zoology *
BIO 2206 - Epidemiology
BIO 2207 - Evolution
BIO 2234 - Marine Biology *
BIO 2T02 - Avian Biology
BIO 3316 - Animal Physiology * #
BIO 3317 - Ecology * #
BIO 3T01 - Symbiosis * #

Electives from Group A, Group B, or Alternative List

Choose two courses from among Group A, Group B, or the alternative course list. Only one course may be chosen from the alternative course list.

Alternative Courses:
CHE 3321 - Biochemistry I
ENV 2T05 - Wetland Ecology (ENV 3114 beginning Spring 2023)
ENV 3106 - Conservation Biology

Alternative Lab courses

BIO 1172 and BIO 2211 may be included as part of the four required lab count BUT students must still complete six courses from Group A, Group B, or alternative lists.

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 1103 - General Chemistry I: Structure and Bonding (Fall only) and
CHE 1104 - General Chemistry II: Chemical Reactivity (Spring only)
English based upon placement:
ENG 1002 - College Composition or
ENG 1101 - Introduction to College Writing: the Argument
First Year Seminar (Fall only)
Other courses as appropriate for the individual (such as second language or another McDaniel Plan requirement)