Biology Major
Requirements for the Major
Foundation Courses (normally completed in the first and sophomore years)
| BIO 110 | Evolution, Biodiversity, Ecology | 4 |
| BIO 210 | Introduction to Genetics | 4 |
| BMB 210 | Introduction to Biochemistry and Cell Biology | 4 |
| | |
| CHE 135 | Accelerated General Chemistry | 4 |
| Or Both | |
| CHE 131 | General Chemistry-I | 4 |
| AND | |
| CHE 132 | General Chemistry-II | 4 |
| | |
| CHE 241 | Organic Chemistry-I | 4 |
| | |
| MAT 130 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| OR | |
| MAT 205 | Statistical Modeling | 3 |
| | |
| PHY 110 | Introduction to Physics | 4 |
| OR | |
| CSC 160 | Web, Data, and Design | 4 |
| OR | |
| CSC 220 | Programming and Problem Solving | 4 |
NOTE: Students planning to attend graduate school in biology should take at least one calculus course. Biostatistics (BIO 390) and additional math, chemistry, physics and computer science courses are also recommended for graduate school. Many professional schools (e.g., medical, dental, nursing, physical therapy, pharmacy, etc.) may require calculus and additional biology, chemistry and/or physics courses. Students should consult with the appropriate pre-health advisor regarding professional school requirements.
Upper-level Courses (normally completed in the junior and senior year)
A minimum of seven upper-level biology courses are required for the major. The seven courses must be selected according to the following criteria: One course from each of the following groups (A, B, and C):
Group A Cell and Molecular Biology:
Group B Organisms:
Group C Ecology and Evolution:
| BIO 300 | Macroevolution | 3 |
| BIO 305 | Microevolution and Speciation | 3 |
| BIO 308 | Paleontology:The History of Life | 3 |
| BIO 315 | Freshwater Ecology | 4 |
| BIO 365 | Plant-Herbivore Interactions | 3 |
| BIO 370 | Principles of Ecology | 4 |
| BIO 371 | Behavioral Ecology: Avian Reproductive Strategies | 3 |
| BIO 373 | Invasive Species Ecology in New Zealand | 3 |
| BIO 375 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| BIO 395 | Organisms in Extreme Environments | 3 |
Three additional three or four credit hour BIO courses numbered 300 or higher, including BIO courses not listed above (excluding BIO 400-405).
The BMB courses listed above and/or BNS 330 can also be used toward this requirement. No more than two courses applied toward the upper-level requirements can be courses taught in another program (BMB or BNS).
One capstone course:
Completion of a senior biology exam as determined by the program.
At least three of the upper-level requirements must have a lab component (four credit hour courses).