For the most up-to-date information about the biology major, please visit the college catalogue website.
Requirements for the Biological Sciences Major
The biological sciences program works to give students:
(1) an understanding of currently accepted concepts in biology and the experimental support for these concepts and
(2) an appreciation of the gaps in our current understanding and the opportunities for new research in this field.
Emphasis is placed on introducing students to the diversity of subject matter and methods of investigation in the biological sciences. The program prepares students for graduate or professional study in the biological sciences and for careers in the biological sciences.
General Education Courses for Biological Sciences Majors
To prepare for more advanced work in the biological sciences, students must take CHEM 10100-10200 or 11100-11200 (or equivalent) to meet the general education requirement for the physical sciences; MATH 13100-13200 or higher to meet the general education requirement in mathematics; and two courses in a Fundamentals Sequence (BIOS 20181-20182 or 20191-20192) to meet the general education requirement for the biological sciences. Students with a score of 5 on the AP biology test may use their AP credit to meet the general education requirement for the biological sciences if the AP 5 sequence is completed.
Courses Required for the Biological Sciences Major
Courses in the Physical Sciences Collegiate Division
Students majoring in biological sciences must complete the third quarter of general chemistry (CHEM 10300/11300 or equivalent); two quarters of organic chemistry (CHEM 22000-22100/23100; two quarters of physics (PHYS 12100-12200 or higher); one additional quarter of calculus (MATH 13300 or higher) or statistics (STAT 22000); and one additional quantitative course from the following list: BIOS 26210, PHYS 12300 or higher, or STAT 22000 or higher.
Courses in the Biological Sciences
Fundamentals Sequence.
Students register for the final three quarters of their Fundamentals Sequence (BIOS 20180s or 20190s) in the major, or for the three-quarter AP 5 Fundamentals Sequence if they have a 5 on the AP biology test.
20200-level and Above Courses in Biological Sciences.
Students also register for Introduction to Biochemistry (BIOS 20200) plus five additional 20200- level and above courses in biological sciences. These five courses are selected by the student unless the student chooses to complete a “specialization.” (See sections that follow.) NOTE: BIOS 00290–00295 cannot be counted toward any of the five upper-level biological sciences courses required for the biological sciences major.
NOTE: BIOS 00199, 00206, and 00299 may not be used to meet requirements for the biological sciences major. In most cases, courses listed under the heading Specialized Courses may not be used to meet requirements for the biological sciences major. Limited exceptions are specifically noted.