Biology Major
The BS degrees in Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Coastal and 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 |
| | |
| PY 104 | Elements of Physics | 3 |
| PY 104L | Elements of Physics Lab | 1 |
| or above PY 111 General Physics I and PY 113 General Physics Laboratory I | |
| or | |
| PY 151 | Principles of Physics I | 3 |
| and | |
| PY 153 | Principles of Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| | |
| MA 131 | Elementary Statistics | 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 at the 300 level) 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
| CH 222 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 224 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| CH 341 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| CH 343 | Biochemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
Additional Required Courses for the Coastal and Marine Science Major
Three Biology courses at the 200-level or higher are required, with at least two courses from the environmental area of study. Of these three elective courses at least one must be at the 300-level and at least two must include a lab (including the elective at the 300-level). (See above and Biology Department website.
Additional Required Supporting Courses for the Coastal and Marine Science Major
| SO 254 | Society & Economic Change | 3 |
| or | |
| SO 258 | Society & the Environment | 3 |
| EC 203 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| HI 251 | Historical Coastal Communities: 1500 to Present | 3 |
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)