Biology is the science of living organisms, including their structure, function growth, origin, evolution and distribution. The field includes the study of ecology, genetics, microbiology, cellular, developmental, environmental, and molecular biology.
General coursework includes inorganic and organic chemistry and calculus, as well as courses in the humanities, social sciences, English composition, and foreign language. You may supplement your degree with minors or certificates in areas such as business, environmental science, animal behavior, and psychology.
Biology- Is it right for me?
The Biology B.S. attracts students from a variety of backgrounds and interests. They typically have some of the following qualities:
- Aptitude for quantitative and scientific reasoning
- Curiosity about the basic structure, function, growth, and evolution of living organisms
- Aspire to contribute to scientific research
- Desire to work as a doctor, dentist, or other health professional
- Appreciation of the natural world
- Intellectual curiosity and imagination
- Interest in thinking critically and ethically about biological research and its societal impact
The Biology B.A. attracts students from a variety of backgrounds and interests. They typically have some of the following qualities:
- Curiosity about the basic structure, function, growth, and evolution of living organisms
- Enjoyment of diverse interests and aspiration to explore multiple academic disciplines
- Desire to think critically and ethically about biological research and its societal impact
- Appreciation of the natural world
- Intellectual curiosity and imagination
- Aptitude for quantitative and scientific reasoning
What options are available?
Biology B.S. Major Guide
Biology B.S. Degree Map
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree is designed for students who are interested in ecology, genetics, microbiology, cellular, developmental, environmental, or molecular biology, and want to develop a rigorous background in the sciences to prepare for graduate or professional school for science related jobs.
It features more extensive requirements in chemistry, mathematics, and physics than the Biology B.A. degree, with courses selected to optimize your future opportunities. Outstanding students are encouraged to fulfill the requirements for an honors degree.
The Biology B.S. includes significant coursework in inorganic and organic chemistry, physics and math, preparing you for graduate and professional programs. Many Biology B.S. majors participate in independent research with faculty members.
You may choose to do a general Biology B.S. degree or you can select one of three areas of concentration, through which you gain a deep and coherent education in a particular field.
Biology of Disease Concentration- Degree map
Everyday we hear about disease through personal interactions and media outlets. Whether it is cancer, Ebola virus, or the issues surrounding vaccination, we hear the term “disease.” But, what is a disease and how does it occur? In simple terms a disease can be defined as a disorder of structure or function of an organism that is not a direct result of physical injury. The manifestation of disease is a direct consequence of a disruption of function of a biological system at a molecular and cellular level.
In this area of concentration, students will have the opportunity to:
- explore the causes of diseases of animals (including humans) and plants,
- investigate the molecular mechanisms that lead to disease,
- study the immune responses that facilitate recovery and protection,
- examine the mechanism of action of disease therapies, and
- investigate the physiological and ecological factors that influence the frequency of disease occurrence.
In order to achieve proficiency in the concentration, students must integrate an understanding of molecular and cellular biology with microbiology and immunology as well as recognize the importance of interactions within populations and ecosystems.
Graduates of the Biology of Disease concentration will be well situated to pursue a wide range of careers in health-related professions, biological and medical research, lab-based quality control and diagnostics, public and global health, science policy, law and intellectual property, business, education, and science writing.
Integrative and Organismal Biology- Degree map
Dealing with complex biological systems requires an understanding of interactions at multiple levels of organization. The Integrative and Organismal Biology area of concentration provides a course of study in whole-organism and physiological systems within evolutionary and ecological contexts. With a combination of lecture and lab courses, students can build a degree around plant or animal model systems or focus on biological diversity and interactions among organisms. Through all of these pathways, students gain an understanding of biological processes at the levels of specific physiological systems, organisms, and ecosystems across evolutionary time. Common themes in scientific method and measurement are also emphasized throughout the concentration to build a skill set that can be applied to multiple types of biological endeavor.
Students who graduate with a concentration in Integrative and Organismal Systems are equipped to enter into careers in health-related fields (e.g., human or veterinary medicine), wildlife biology, management, conservation, biological research or education, and other exciting fields focusing on the biology of whole organisms.
Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics- Degree map
The biological world is filled with a spectacular array of morphological forms. From towering redwoods down to the microscopic single cell, from the vast diversity of neurons in the human brain to the shape of phagocytes engulfing harmful foreign particles, form facilitates function. How do these different cellular forms arise? How is the responsible information encoded within animal and plant genomes? How can billions of cells with the same genetic information become specialized to fulfill functions in different tissues of the same organism? And, how does disruption of these processes result in disease states?
In this area of concentration, students have the opportunity to explore the biochemical and molecular pathways that underlie cellular function. They study the genetic controls that can change cellular function in reversible and irreversible ways leading normally to not only tissue and organismal development but also to disease. This course of study requires students to integrate an understanding of biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and cell biology resulting in a holistic view of cellular and tissue function and organismal development.
Graduates of the Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics concentration are well situated to pursue a wide range of careers in health related professions, biological and medical research, laboratory quality control and diagnostics, public and global health, science policy, law and intellectual property, business, education, and science writing.
Biology B.A. Major Guide
Biology B.A. Degree Map
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Biology trains students in the major subject areas of biology while remaining the most flexible of all biology degrees offered. Minimal chemistry and mathematics requirements allow you to substitute a second major, such as computer science, chemistry, psychology, environmental studies, or business. Outstanding students are encouraged to fulfill the requirements for an honors degree.
Because of its flexibility, this degree is ideal for students who wish to pursue a second major, combining the study of biology with another subject area. If you want the flexibility to explore other academic disciplines, wish to teach middle school or high school biology, or desire to work in business, the Biology B.A. degree may be a good option for you.
Be aware that this degree will not automatically fulfill requirements for entrance to medical, dental, or optometry schools, or to most graduate programs in biology.
Biology Minor
The Department of Biology offers two 18-credit hour biology minors: a minor suggested for non-science majors and a minor suggested for science majors. Both courses of study provide a strong foundation in Biology. The minor for science majors allows a student the opportunity to explore mechanistic aspects of biological science, whereas the minor for non-science majors relates biological science to broader societal issues. It is the student’s choice which biology minor to complete, regardless of major.
Both majors require the introductory 3-course sequence BIOL-L 111, BIOL-L 112, and BIOL-L 113. The non-science option also requires BIOL-L 350 and BIOL-L 369, as well as a 300-level statistics course or one of BIOL-L 330 or BIOL-L 340. The science major option also requires a 300-level statistics course or a 3-credit upper-level Biology major lecture or lab, plus additional biology major upper-level courses to reach at least 18 credit hours.
Our Biology minors provide students with an understanding of the processes through which evolution leads to organismal diversity and adaptation; the biology of individual organisms, populations, and ecosystems; biological mechanisms at the cellular level; and other areas of interest depending on the courses selected.