Undergraduate Degree Requirements

The major in biology is designed for students interested in biology, premedicine, predentistry, and preveterinary medicine. All current biology majors have an assigned advisor. Students interested in biomedical technology should consult the webpage that deals specifically with that program.

Requirements of Biology Major

A useful form for summarizing progress through biology major requirements is here:

Download Senior Review Form

The requirements for the biology major fall into three categories. Basic courses provide the academic foundation of the major. Electives allow in-depth examination of areas of particular individual interest and the associated laboratories provide hands-on experiences. A senior course provides an opportunity to critically analyze the primary research literature of the discipline and to present results publicly in oral and written form.

Basic Courses
The following courses are required of all biology majors.

50:120:101, 107 General Biology I (3) and Laboratory (1)
50:120:102, 108 General Biology II (3) and Laboratory (1)
50:160:115-116, 125-126 Chemical Principles I,II (3,3) and Laboratory (1,1)
50:160:335-336, 339-340 Organic Chemistry I,II (4,4) and Laboratory (1,1)
50:640:130 Calculus for Business, Economics, and Life Sciences (3) or 50:640:121 Unified Calculus I (4)*
50:750:203-204, 205-206 General Physics I,II (3,3) and Laboratory (1,1)

Elective Courses
All biology majors must take at least nine elective courses (and five or more of the attendant laboratories) from the 300-400 level biology or biochemistry course offerings (3-4 credits each).

Some biology graduate courses (500 level) may be taken as electives by advanced undergraduate students provided they have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0, have completed the necessary prerequisites, and have the permission of the instructor.

The following 200-level biology course will also fill this requirement, but only if both semesters are completed:

50:120:253-254, 256-256 Anatomy and Physiology (3,3) and Laboratory (1,1)

Senior Course
All biology majors admitted Fall 2008 and thereafter must complete the following course before graduating:

50:120:399 Current Topics in Biology (3)
Students are encouraged to take this course in either the fall or spring of the final year of study.

* Although either 50:640:130 or 121 will satisfy the mathematics requirement, a year of calculus (50:640:121-122) is recommended for students who plan to pursue graduate studies in the biological sciences.

**These courses can be used as an elective only if you are not already using this course to fulfil the Core Requirement.

Additional courses will occasionally be offered, consult the schedule of classes for details.
Strategies and suggestions for completing the major can be found here.