The objective of the biology curriculum in the Department of Biology & Geology is to provide a strong foundation in the scientific principles governing living organisms—from the molecular and cellular level to ecological and environmental interactions. The biology major emphasizes research, critical thinking, and communication in order to build the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a biological career or graduate/professional school. Examples of graduate and professional degrees pursued by recent graduates include medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, genetic counseling, nursing, environmental science, and molecular biology. Employers of recent graduates include pharmaceutical companies, school systems, government agencies, zoos, research labs, environmental education centers, and biotechnology companies.
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Biology Major
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Computer Code: BIOL
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Minimum credits required: 50.5/51.5 (* = Prerequisite Required)
All biology courses for the major have a prerequisite except BIO 121L,122L & 163.
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Required courses
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BIO
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121L,122L
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Principles of Biology I & II
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8 credits
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BIO
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211
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Genetics
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4 credits*
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BIO
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212
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Microbiology
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4 credits*
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BIO
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221
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General Zoology
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3 credits*
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BIO
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222
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General Botany
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3 credits*
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BIO
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163
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Freshman Seminar
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0.5 credits
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BIO
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263
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Sophomore Seminar
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1 credits*
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BIO
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363
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Biology Seminar
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0 credits
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BIO
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463
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Senior Seminar
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1 credits*
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CHM
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111,112
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General Chemistry w/ Labs
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9 credits
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At least one of the following Structure & Function Biology courses:
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BIO
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330
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Gross Anatomy
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4 credits*
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BIO
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332
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Histology
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3 credits*
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BIO
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333
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Human Physiology
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4 credits*
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BIO
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337
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Plant Physiology
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4 credits*
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At least one of the following Cellular and Molecular Biology courses:
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BIO
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314
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Molecular Ecology
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4 credits*
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BIO
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331
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Developmental Biology
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4 credits*
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BIO
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336
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Molecular Biology
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4 credits*
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BIO
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341
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Immunology
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4 credits*
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At least one of the following Environmental Biology courses:
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BIO
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308
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Evolution of Animal Behavior
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4 credits*
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BIO
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309
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Vertebrate Natural History
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4 credits*
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BIO
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310
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Evolution
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4 credits*
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BIO
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311
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Conservation Biology
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4 credits*
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BIO
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313
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Ecology
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4 credits*
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BIO
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334
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Invertebrate Natural History
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4 credits*
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Biology Electives
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6 credits
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Additional biology courses totaling 6 credits are required bringing the minimum to 50.5/51.5 credits.
Courses in organic chemistry, physics, and statistics are recommended for students who expect to continue their education in graduate or professional school. The general biology sequence (BIO 121L and BIO 122L) and Freshman Biology Seminar (BIO 163) should be taken during the freshman year. The Sophomore Biology Seminar (BIO 263), General Zoology (BIO 221), and General Botany (BIO 222) should be taken the sophomore year. The Senior Biology Seminar (BIO 463) should be taken either the Fall or Spring semester of the senior year. Biology majors are expected to take the Biology Seminar (BIO 363) every semester after their freshman year. The BIO 121L, 122L courses are prerequisites for all two, three, and four hundred level biology courses for majors.
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Biology Minor
A minor in biology consists of a minimum of 17 semester credits of biology (BIO) courses including BIO 121L and 122L. We encourage students to consult a biology faculty member to help them develop a minor that best suits their needs.
