The Biological Sciences Department offers three majors and a one minor. The three majors available are Biological Sciences (BioSci), for students seeking a broad base in the biological sciences, without specialization. Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB), for students with specific interests in the molecular and cellular aspects of biology, including but not limited to biochemistry, biophysics, cell biology, developmental biology, microbiology, molecular biology, and molecular genetics. Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology (EEOB), for students seeking a foundation for advanced training in ecology, evolutionary biology, conservation/environmental biology, or related subdiscipline. The department offers a minor in Biological Sciences for students majoring in other disciplines.
All three majors require:
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Two semesters of general chemistry and lab (Chemistry 102a,b and 104a,b) and two semesters of organic chemistry and lab (Chemistry 219a,b and 220a,b).
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It is strongly recommended that students in all three majors take one year of calculus or calculus/statistics and one year of physics.
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A total of 30 hours of Biological Sciences courses, including the 8 hours of 110a,b and 111a and either 111b or 111c, are required in all majors. All Biological Sciences courses count toward the major except 100, 105, 115F.
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Students with specialized interests within either of the specialized majors may substitute one of the intermediate courses with an upper level course with the permission of one of the Directors of Undergraduate Studies and the Biological Sciences Curriculum Committee. (Intermediate Biological Sciences courses: 201, 202, 205, 210, 211, 218, 219, 220, 237, 238).
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Students may declare only one of the majors offered by the Department of Biological Sciences; double or triple majors within the department are not permitted.
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Additional requirements listed below
Additional major requirements:
Biological Sciences (BioSci) Major
At least 30 hours satisfying the general requirements above, and including the following:
1.Introductory Courses— 110a/111a and 110b/111b or 111c
2.Intermediate Courses:
a. 205, 210
b. one additional intermediate course: 201, 218, 219, 220 or 238
3.Laboratory: Two laboratory courses (202, 211, 218, 219, or 237), or one lab course and two semesters of directed and/or independent research (BSCI 283, 286, 296).
4.Seminar/Independent Studies: A minimum of 2 credit hours of 275a-275b, 282, 283, 286, or 296 is required. Only one seminar (275) may count toward the major. A total of no more than 6 credit hours of 282, 283, and 286 may be counted toward the major.
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For students intending to perform Honors research, at least two lecture courses must be from the following: 226, 230, 233, 234, 236, 238, 240, 243, 245, 247, 252, 254, 256, 258, 265, 258, 265, 266, 267, 270, 273, 274, or 290.
Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) Major
At least 30 hours satisfying the general requirements above, and including the following:
1. Introductory Courses: 110a/111a,110b/111b or 111c
2. Intermediate Courses: 201, 210, 220, and either 202 or 211
3. Laboratory—One additional laboratory course (202, 211, 218, 219, or 237), or two semesters of directed and/or independent research (BSCI 283, 286, 296).
4. Seminar/Independent Studies: A minimum of 2 credit hours of 275, 282, 283, 286, or 296 is required. Only one seminar (275a-275b) may count toward the major. A total of no more than 6 credit hours of 282, 283, and 286 may be counted toward the major.
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Of the remaining courses, at least two must be from the following: 205, 226, 230, 234, 236, 243, 245, 247, 252, 256, 258, 265, 266, 267, 272,
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For students intending to perform Honors research in the MCB major, 265 or 266 must be taken.
Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEOB) Major
At least 30 hours satisfying the general requirements above, and including the following:
1. Introductory Courses: 110a/111a and 110b/111b or 111c
2. Intermediate Courses : 205, 210, and 218 or 219 or 238. IF a student takes 238 and neither 218 nor 219, then an additional lab course should be added, either 211 or 237.
3. Laboratory-One additional laboratory course (202, 211, 218, 219, or 237), or two semesters of directed and/or independent research (BSCI 283, 286, 296).
4. Seminar/Independent Studies: A minimum of 2 credit hours of 275a-b, 282, 283, 286, or 296 is required. Only one seminar (275) may count toward the major. A total of no more than 6 credit hours of 282, 283, and 286 may be counted toward the major.
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Of the remaining courses, at least two must be from the following: 230, 233, 234, 236, 239, 247, 266, 270, 272 ; or 218,219, or 238 if not used for the intermediate course requirement.
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For students intending to perform Honors research in the EEOB major, one of the following courses must be taken: 230, 234, 239, 247, 270, or 272.
Additional requirements for Honors:
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A minimum GPA of 3.25 in courses that count toward the major
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At least 10 of the 30 hours of Biological Sciences course work must be directed and/or independent research, with a minimum of 8 hours being Honors research (BSCI 296)
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An Honors thesis and oral defense.
Specific track requirements for Honors:
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BioSci Major: at least two lecture courses must be at a course from the following: 226, 230, 234, 236, 239, 243, 245, 247, 252, 254, 256, 258, 265, 266, 267, 270, or 290.
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MCB Major: BSCI 265 or 266 must be taken; an alternate advanced course may be substituted with the permission of one of the director of undergraduate studies
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EEOB Major: one of the following courses must be taken: 230, 234, 238, 239, 247, 270, 272
Declaring a Minor
Requirements:
A minor in biological scences requires a minimum of 18 hours that include BSCI 110a,b; 111a and either 111b or 111c; 210; and one other intermediate course. No more than two credit hours of 280, 282, 283 or 286 may be counted toward the minor.
Double majors and minors in other departments
With planning, it is possible to combine a major in Biological Sciences with another major. While it is more common for double majors to consider related fields such as chemistry and mathematics, students have combined Biological Sciences majors with such diverse areas as foreign languages, music, and fine arts. Consult the appropriate DUS as early as possible. Double or triple majors entirely within the Biological Sciences department are not permitted.
Minors are usually taken either to extend the student's interest in biological sciences, or to provide contrast. It should be noted that most minors can be easily accomodated if they are started in good time. Please contact a Director of Undergraduate studies for more information.
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