Majors & Minors

Guidelines for a Major in Biology

The major is organized around the hierarchical structure of living organisms within an evolutionary context. Students are required to take four introductory courses: cell form and function; the form and function or organisms; the ways in which populations of organisms interact with each other and the environment; and a research methods class. Together, these courses will prepare students for more advanced work in the biological sciences, which is completed by selecting courses from those focused on cell and molecular, organismal, and population biology. In addition, a senior seminar (in which a public presentation and a substantial paper are required) is required of all students.

Satisfaction of major requirements is the completion of a minimum of 36 credits in biology, with the following provisions:

1. Completion of four foundation courses:

  • Cell and Molecular Biology, BIOL 151 (4 credits)
  • The Biology of Organisms, BIOL 152 (4 credits)
  • Ecology and Evolution of Organisms, BIOL 251 (4 credits)
  • Research Methods in Biology, BIOL 252 (4 credits)

2. Completion of at least 20 credits in Biology at the 300-level or above.
3. Completion of Senior Seminar, BIOL 493 (1 credit)
4. Completion of at least one course from each of the following organizational levels:

A. Cellular and Molecular: study of cell structure and functions controlled at the molecular level.

  • Immunology, BIOL 331 (4 credits)
  • Microbiology, BIOL 343 (4 credits)
  • Molecular Genetics, BIOL 381 (4 credits)
  • Developmental Biology, BIOL 404 (4 credits)
  • Animal Histology, BIOL 407 (4 credits)

B. Organismal: study of the organism, the congruence of form and function, and the maintenance of its internal environment.

  • Human Physiology and Anatomy, BIOL 300A,B (4 credits each)
  • Invertebrate Zoology, BIOL 340 (3 credits)
  • Herpetology, BIOL 360 (4 credits)
  • Entomology, BIOL 386 (4 credits)
  • Animal Physiology, BIOL 428 (4 credits)
  • Plant Systematics, BIOL 473 (4 credits)

C. Populations: study of the interaction of organisms with each other, with the external environment, and the changes that occur over time.

  • Conservation Biology, BIOL 379 (4 credits)
  • Marine Biology, BIOL 384 (4 credits)
  • Evolutionary Biology, BIOL 445 (4 credits)
  • Advanced Field Studies, BIOL 485 (4 credits)

5. Completion of CHEM 110A,B and one year of college methematics. For majors seriously considering graduate or professional schools, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, and Calculus are imperative (these courses are required by many graduate and professional schools).

GUIDELINES FOR A MINOR IN BIOLOGY

Sixteen (16) credits of core courses, BIOL 151, BIOL 152, BIOL 251, BIOL 252, and at least one additional course at the 300-level or above.