Biology
A student majoring in biology receives a broad preparation consisting of a core of biology plus the chemistry, physics and mathematics vital to the field of biology. This preparation will serve as a basis for entering fields such as biological research or other medical and life science-related professions.
Pre-medicine students should seek advice during the first year to help them decide if they should major in chemistry, biology, pre-medicine, or a double major consisting of a combination of two of these majors. More info...
Major
(64 hours)
Required biology courses:
BIO 135 Botany (4) satisfies Scientific Inquiry competency
BIO 205 Invertebrate Zoology (4)
BIO 230 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 (4) satisfies Critical Analysis competency
BIO 231 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (4)
BIO 301 Microbiology (4)
BIO 303 Genetics (4)
BIO 315 Immunology (4)
BIO 330 General Ecology (4)
BIO 335 Cell Biology (4)
Required chemistry courses:
CEM 121 General Inorganic Chemistry 1 (5)
CEM 122 General Inorganic Chemistry 2 (5)
CEM 221 Organic Chemistry 1 (4)
Required physics courses:
PHY 211 Physics for Science and Engineering 1 (5)
PHY 212 Physics for Science and Engineering 2 (5)
Required mathematics course:
MAT 135 Calculus 1 (5)
The above courses include one-half year each of organic chemistry and calculus. Many graduate programs would expect the biology student to have taken the full year of organic chemistry and the full year of calculus. Biochemistry and a course in statistics are often recommended.
Minor
(18-20 hours)
Select five of the following courses:
BIO 135 Botany (4) satisfies Scientific Inquiry competency
BIO 205 Invertebrate Zoology (4)
BIO 230 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 (4) satisfies Critical Analysis competency
BIO 231 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (4)
BIO 301 Microbiology (4)
BIO 303 Genetics (4)
BIO 315 Immunology (3)
BIO 330 General Ecology (4)
BIO 335 Cell Biology (4)
CEM 341 Biochemistry (3)
Students must complete the prerequisite chemistry course or courses required for the particular courses they select from the above list or provide evidence to the professor teaching the course that they have sufficient chemistry background to be successful in the course.
At least two of the courses chosen from the above list must not be requirements for the student’s major or for another minor the student is pursing.
July 2023