Biology B.S. Degree

A major in Biology offers a student both the theory and experience to prepare for either postgraduate work or bachelor-level entry jobs in industry or teaching. The requirements for the Biology major are designed to provide a solid foundation in multiple sub disciplines of the biological sciences while allowing flexibility according to student interests and career goals. By carefully selecting biology electives, undergraduates may prepare with an appropriate concentration for the particular field in which to continue their studies in graduate and professional programs or allied health licensure programs.

Major Requirements

The curriculum of the Biology major includes this major course sequence:

Total Credit Hours:

And the following required allied courses:

Total Credit Hours:

And 15 credit hours of additional upper division BIOL courses, one of which must be writing intensive (see notes for complete WI requirements). Of the 15 credit hours, one course must be selected from the Unity course menu and one course must be selected from the Diversity course menu:

Total Credit Hours:

BIOL xxx: *Cannot include independent study or internship

BIOL xxx: May include independent study or internship

Unity Course Menu

Diversity Course Menu

BIOL 301WR. Microbiology (4)

BIOL 308. Principles of Immunology (4)

BIOL 309. Animal Physiology (4)

BIOL 337. Genetics (3)

BIOL 402WR. Cell Biology (4)

BIOL 409WI/CHEM 409WI. Pharmacology and Toxicology (3)

BIOL 435WI/CHEM 435WI. Biochemistry I (4; F)

BIOL 436/CHEM 436. Biochemistry II (4; S)

BIOL 454. Histology (4)

BIOL 302/MSC 302. Invertebrate Zoology (4)

BIOL 303. Vertebrate Biology (4)

BIOL 304WI/MSC 304WI. Ichthyology (4; F)

BIOL 305. Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (4)

BIOL 307. Primates (3)

BIOL 312. Plant Taxonomy (4)

BIOL 314. Evolution (3)

BIOL 320WI. Human Ecology, Infectious, and Zoonotic Disease (4)

BIOL 330/MSC 330. Marine Mammal Biology (4)

BIOL 380. Herpetology (4)

BIOL 382. Entomology (4)

BIOL 404. Ecology (4)

BIOL 406. Advanced Ornithology (4; S)

BIOL 412WI/MSC 412WI. Physiological Ecology (4)

BIOL 417WI. Conservation Ecology (4)

BIOL 434WI. Animal Behavior (3)

MSC 310WR. Marine Ecology (4; S)

MSC 406WI. Biological Oceanography (3)

MSC 408. Biology of Marine Plants (3)

MSC 422. Coral Reef Ecology (4)

Total Credit Hours: 66

Biology Major Important Notes:

For students that double major in Biology and Chemistry [Biochemistry track], only courses that are specifically required for both majors may be counted towards both majors. Upper division electives may not be counted toward both majors simultaneously.
Students double majoring in Biology and Marine Science must take all of the required courses for each major.
Students may not double major in Biology and Life Science.
Two writing intensive (WI or WR) courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “C-“. One must be a 300- or 400-level BIOL course; the other WI course may be from any discipline.
A minimum grade of “C” is required of Biology majors in the following courses: BIOL 180, BIOL 190, BIOL 223SI, BIOL 280, BIOL 290, and BIOL 470.
A minimum grade of “C” is required of Biology majors in allied courses: PHYS 111, PHYS 112, PHYS 151, PHYS 152, MATH 140, MATH 206, CHEM 103, CHEM 104, CHEM 301/CHEM 301L, and CHEM 302/CHEM 302L.
Biology majors must take an exit exam designated by the department during their senior year or as part of BIOL 470.