Biology

Biology Major

A major in biology consists of a minimum of 34 credits distributed as follows:

• The Lower Division Core (17 credits)
  • BIO-131 Frontiers in Genetics
  • BIO-220 Organismal Biology
  • BIO-221 Population and Ecosystems Biology
  • BIO-230 Cell and Molecular Biology
  • BIO-260 Diversity of Life
• The Upper Division Core Areas
  One course from each of the following three groups:
  • A laboratory course emphasizing molecular/cellular biology chosen from:
• BIO-356 Molecular Biology
• BIO-360 Microbiology
• BIO-365.1 Immunology
• BIO-372 Developmental Biology
• A laboratory course emphasizing organismal biology/physiology chosen from:
• BIO-304 Human Physiology
• BIO-374 Animal Physiology
• BIO-375 Plant Physiology
• A laboratory/field course emphasizing ecological concepts chosen from:
• BIO-318 Aquatic Ecology
• BIO-341 Tropical and Subtropical Ecology
  and/or
  BIO-344 Coral Reef Ecology
• BIO-345 Ecology
• Elective upper-division courses
• Three or more course credits to total at least 34 credits of biology.
  NOTE: Credits taken as independent work (eg. internships, research, and independent studies) do not count toward the 34 credits for the major.
• Senior Capstone
• BIO-400 Biology Seminar
• BIO-499 Senior Comprehensive Examination
• Additional Sciences
  (needed as prerequisites for courses in the major)
• CHE-141 General Chemistry I
• PHY-231/231L General Physics and Lab
  or
  PHY-271/271L Analytical Physics and Lab
• MAT-112 Introduction to Statistics
• Recommended:
• CHE-142 General Chemistry II
• MAT-212 Advanced Statistical Methods
• GOL-101 Physical Geology

For a career in biology, or for graduate study, students should include:

• CHE-301 Organic Chemistry I
• CHE-302 Organic Chemistry II
• PHY-232/232L General Physics and Lab
  or
  PHY-272/272L Analytical Physics and Lab
• MAT-151-152 Analytic Geometry & Calculus
• Independent research in biology.

Students desiring teacher certification must consult with a member of the Education department.

Biology Minor

The minor consists of 20 credits including BIO-131, at least two courses chosen from:

• BIO-220 Organismal Biology
• BIO-221 Population and Ecosystems Biology
• BIO-230 Cell and Molecular Biology

plus BIO-260 and at least one upper-division biology course. This minor is not open to students electing the biology major or human biology minor.

Human Biology Minor

A minor that emphasizes the biology of the human body. This minor is not open to students electing the biology major or the biology minor. However, it is recommended for students interested in health professions, psychology, or exercise science.

The minor consists of 20 credits including:

• BIO-102 Biology of Human Disease
  or
  BIO-131 Frontiers in Genetics
• BIO-220 Organismal Biology
• BIO-230 Cell and Molecular Biology
• Three or more courses chosen from two or more of the following groups:
  • Cellular & Molecular Biology
    • BIO-360 Microbiology
    • BIO-365.1 Immunology
    • BIO-371 Endocrinology
    • BIO-372 Developmental Biology
  • Biochemistry/Neurochemistry
  • PSY-331 Introduction to Psychopharmacology
    or
    CHE-412 Biochemistry
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • BIO-304 Human Physiology
  • BIO-355 Selected Topics: Human Anatomy
  • BIO-361 Pathobiology
  • BIO-374 Animal Physiology
  • PHE-319 Kinesiology
    or
    PHE-443 Physiology of Exercise