Biology-General Biology, B.S. (no specialization)

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This general degree offers students the flexibility to choose a broad range of courses within biology or to tailor course requirements to specific interests. A biology advisor must approve electives.

Required Courses

Biology Core

The B.S. major offers undergraduate students a degree program with depth of training in the biological sciences and supporting fields. This program prepares students for immediate entrance into careers in biological sciences or for graduate work (for preparation for teaching high school biology, see biology teaching major). Students may choose a general B.S. degree (no specialization), or a specialization in one of three areas: cell and molecular biology, ecology, or organismal biology (these will be indicated on the student’s transcripts). Students consult with the appropriate biology advisor for approval of their B.S. program and electives, which must be submitted for approval to the biological sciences department at least one academic year preceding graduation. All students in the B.S. biology major must complete all B.S. core requirements, plus additional specific requirements if they choose a specialization. A maximum of 15 credits in BIOL 490 and BIOL 496 may be included in the major. CHEM 181 has a prerequisite of high school chemistry and qualification for MATH 153. BIOL 360 has a prerequisite of MATH 153.

BIOL 181 - General Biology I Credits: (5)
BIOL 182 - General Biology II Credits: (5)
BIOL 183 - General Biology III Credits: (5)
BIOL 213 - Quantitative Methods in Biology Credits: (4)
BIOL 321 - Genetics Credits: (5)
BIOL 360 - General Ecology Credits: (5)
OR
BIOL 420 - Environmental Microbiology Credits: (5)
BIOL 441 - Plant Physiology Credits: (5)
OR
BIOL 455 - Zoophysiology Credits: (5)
BIOL 470 - Mechanisms of Evolution Credits: (3)
BIOL 497 - Honors Thesis Credits: (1-5)
OR
BIOL 499S. - Senior Seminar Credits: (1)

General Chemistry and Laboratory Credits: 15

CHEM 181 - General Chemistry I Credits: (4)
CHEM 181LAB - General Chemistry Laboratory I Credits: (1)
CHEM 182 - General Chemistry II Credits: (4)
CHEM 182LAB - General Chemistry Laboratory II Credits: (1)
CHEM 183 - General Chemistry III Credits: (4)
CHEM 183LAB - General Chemistry Laboratory III Credits: (1)

Organic Chemistry and Laboratory Credits: 8

CHEM 361 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: (3)
CHEM 361LAB - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I Credits: (2)
CHEM 362 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: (3)

Core Total Credits: 61

Organismal diversity requirement:

All students in the Biology B.S. program must take at least one advanced (300- or 400-level) animal course, one advanced plant course, and one advanced course covering other organisms (fungi, protists, bacteria, viruses). These courses may be contained within the Core or taken as electives. See department for list of approved courses in each category. These need not be additional courses; they may be courses already included to satisfy other major requirements.