Biology Major
The BS degrees in Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Coastal Marine Science, and Neuroscience require completion of 39 to 42 credits in biology and 23 to 38 credits in supporting courses depending on the major students choose. Many of these courses also fulfill the requirements of the University’s Foundational or Thematic Liberal Arts Core.
Program Requirements
Required Courses for All Majors
Required Biology Core Courses
| BI 111 | Concepts in Biology I: Molecules to Cells | 3 |
| BI 112 | Concepts in Biology II: Cells to Organisms | 3 |
| BI 113 | Concepts in Biology I Laboratory | 1 |
| BI 114 | Concepts in Biology II Laboratory | 1 |
| BI 201 | Genetics & Evolution | 3 |
| BI 202 | Ecology & Evolution | 3 |
| BI 203 | Genetics & Evolution Laboratory | 1 |
| BI 204 | Ecology & Evolution Laboratory | 1 |
| BI 399 | Senior Seminar | 2 |
Required Supporting Courses for All Majors
| CH 151 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 152 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 153 | General Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| CH 154 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| CH 221 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 223 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| | |
| MA 131 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| or | |
| MA 132 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| | |
| MA 140 | Precalculus | 4 |
| or above (MA 151 Calculus I is recommended) | |
| | |
Additional Required Courses for the Biology Major
Students must select six additional Biology courses at the 200 level or higher, comprising at least one course from the Environmental, Organismal, and Molecular areas. Two of the six courses must be at the 300 level. Three of the six courses must include labs (one at the 300 level). Three credits of research (BI 390) or internship (BI 360) are encouraged. Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BI 206) does not count toward this requirement, but Human Anatomy & Physiology II (BI 207) can count. For the most up to date listing of courses and special topics, please consult the listing maintained on the Biology Department’s website.
Environmental Area
Organismal Area
Molecular Area
Additional Required Courses for the Molecular and Cellular Biology Major
Three additional electives (1 with lab) must be taken, two of which must be chosen from courses classified in the Molecular Area (see above and Biology Department website).
Additional Required Supporting Courses for the Molecular and Cellular Biology Major
MA 151: strongly suggested—fulfills the MA 140 or above requirement
Additional Required Courses for the Coastal and Marine Science Major
Four additional electives (3 with lab) must be taken, two of which must be chosen from courses classified in the Environmental Area, and one of which must be chosen in the Organismal area. One of the four courses must be at the 300 level. (See above and Biology Department website.)
Additional Required Courses for the Neuroscience Major
Take all of the following
Five additional courses from the following list (at least two must be in Biology and two must be in Psychology)