Biology

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Biology  
Academic Bulletin

Area of Study: Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Major/Minor Exclusions: A student minoring in Biology may not major in Biochemistry

When advising a student interested in the Biology Major, please note: 

The MAJOR in Biology has six components:

• Three introductory biology courses (BIO 219 [Marine Biology] OR BIO 220 [Organismal Physiology and Ecology]; BIO 221 [Genetics, Development and Evolution]; and FSBIO 201).
• Three 300-level biology courses, one in each of the three main areas of biology (Cellular/Molecular Biology, Organismal Biology/Physiology, and Population Biology/Ecology/Evolution).
• A Junior Seminar (BIO 580).
• A two-semester, six credit Senior Project and Seminar (BIO 600 and 610).
• Required foundation courses in Mathematics and Chemistry: MATH 151 (or 140 and141), CHEM 120 &122, and one semester of Organic Chemistry (CHEM 231).
• Two additional 4-credit courses chosen from Biostatistics (BIO 385), Chemistry (CHEM 200 or higher, except 231), Computer Science (100-level or higher), Geology (100-level or higher, excluding GEO 331), Mathematics (MATH 152 or higher), and/or Physics (PHYS 101 or higher). These courses should be chosen to complement career goals or specific curricular interests. Courses numbered 190 do not qualify. Any course cross-listed as Biology does not qualify.

The MINOR in Biology has three components:

• Three introductory biology courses (BIO 219/220, 221, and FSBIO 201)
• Two 300-level biology courses, at least one of which must be a laboratory course
• Required foundation courses in Chemistry: CHEM 120 & 122

CHANGES FOR FALL 2022 ADVISING
As of Fall 2022, the introductory Biology sequence no longer requires CHEM 120 as a prerequisite. However, completion of the major and minor do still require successful completion of some chemistry and math courses. The most significant aspect of this change is that students may start Biology coursework prior to or concurrent with the chemistry or math courses.

In addition, starting in Fall 2022, students may complete BIO 220 and BIO 221 in any order. BIO 219 (Marine Biology) also may substitute for BIO 220 for interested students. However, BIO 219 is only offered in spring semester AND is not appropriate for students interested in post-graduate health professions. 

As a result of these changes, introductory students interest in majoring in Biology now have (at least) four potential paths in the first semester.

1. Chemistry and Math
2. Biology and Math
3. Biology and Chemistry
4. Biology, Chemistry, and Math

 The example pathways shown below have significant flexibility, within these general guidelines:

• FSBIO 201 can be taken either semester in the second year.
• Students who enroll in MATH 140 or CHEM 120 in their first semester and have difficulty in those courses should consider taking an “X” and enrolling in the CHEM 119 (Module B) course in the 2nd half of the semester.
• The Math Department recommends that students are more likely to succeed the closer the student is in time to their high school math experiences.
• CHEM 231 is offered ONLY in the fall semester.
• BIO 3XX upper-level courses can be distributed across semesters in any fashion once the introductory series (BIO 219/220, BIO 221, FSBIO 201) has been completed. Some BIO 3XX courses require completion of Chemistry prerequisites.

Notes for students interested in health professions

• ​These students should complete BIO 220, not BIO 219.
• Although placement in Mathematics 152 or higher satisfies the MATH 151 requirement for the Biology major, health professions students may need to take additional courses in Mathematics. See the Pre-Health Guidelines   for further details.
• The three introductory Biology courses, MATH 151 (or 140 and 141), CHEM 120 and 122, and CHEM 231, should be completed by the end of the sophomore year. if mathematics and chemistry placement permits. Students and their advisors should also be aware that CHEM 231 is only offered in the fall semester.
• Students should complete CHEM 332 and 234 (Organ Chemistry II and lab), CHEM 253 (Biochemistry), and PHYS 101 and 102 (or PHYS 110 and 120).
  • PHYS 101: fall semesters only, starting Fall 2022
  • PHYS 102: Fall 2022, then spring semesters only starting Spring 2023
  • PHYS 110: fall semester only
  • PHYS 120: spring semester only
  • CHEM 332 & 234: spring semester only

Prerequisites for the Biology Major and Minor:

1. Placement into MATH 151, transfer or AP credit for MATH 151, completion of MATH 140 with a C or better, or completion of CHEM 119 with a C or better are required to enroll in CHEM 120.
2. BIO 219/220 OR BIO 221 are prerequisites for FSBIO 201.
3. BIO 219/220, 221, and FSBIO 201 are prerequisites for BIO 300-level courses.
4. BIO 219/220, 221, and a grade of C or higher in FSBIO 201 are prerequisites for BIO 580.
5. BIO 580 is a prerequisite for BIO 600. BIO 600 is a prerequisite for BIO 610.

Pathway 1. Chemistry and Math
This pathway is closest to the recommended steps prior to Fall 2022. It allows completion. It allows completion of CHEM 231 (Organic Chemistry) by the end of sophomore year, and is recommended for students that place into MATH 151. Students that place into MATH 140 probably should opt for pathway 2 (Biology and Math) instead.

Pathway 2. Biology and Math
This pathway is most applicable for students with biology interests but a MATH 140 placement (as they cannot immediately start with CHEM 120 in the first semester, but can begin with biology coursework). Students who place into MATH 151 also can proceed via this pathway, but will not complete CHEM 231 until their junior year.
 

Pathway 3. Biology and Chemistry
This new pathway is realistically only available to students placing into MATH 151 (as students with a MATH 140 placement cannot immediately start CHEM 120 in the first semester), but delays completion of MATH courses. Students placing into MATH 140 could take CHEM 119, but are better served via Pathway 2 (Biology and Math)

Pathway 4. Biology, Chemistry, and Math
This pathway is most appropriate for students with a very strong interest and demonstrated record of achievement in science and math courses (e.g., placement into MATH 151 and/or transfer credit for two or more of the required courses).
 

⁽¹⁾ Placement into MATH 151, transfer or AP credit for MATH 151, completion of MATH 140 with a C or better, or completion of CHEM 119 with a C or better is required to enroll in CHEM 120.
⁽²⁾ Prerequisite for CHEM 231, which is only offered in Fall.
⁽³⁾ Only offered in Fall. Required for Biology major.
⁽⁴⁾ Can be taken either semester of junior year.

Suggested Biology Progression Based on Math Placement