Biology

Biology  
Academic Bulletin

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

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

• Establishing an advisor: Students may ask any faculty member in the department. The department maintains a list with the number of advisees for each faculty member (*updated each semester), so if a faculty member does not have space for additional advisees, they can consult the list to suggest other faculty who may have capacity.
• Junior Seminar: Biology offers junior seminars both semesters, so students may take it in either fall or spring of their junior year. Students submit a preference form in the spring of their sophomore year and are then assigned to a junior seminar section based on information in the preference form.
• Senior Comp: Biology requires a two semester comp, fall and spring.

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 BIO 250 [Investigative Approaches in Biology]).
• 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). Students submit a preference form in the spring of their sophomore year and are then assigned to a junior seminar section based on information in the preference form.
• 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), 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 BIO 250)
• Two 300-level biology courses, at least one of which must be a laboratory course
• Required foundation courses in Chemistry: CHEM 120 & 122

The introductory Biology sequence does not require CHEM 120 as a prerequisite. However, completion of the major and minor do require successful completion of chemistry and math courses. Students may start Biology coursework prior to or concurrent with chemistry or math courses.

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. 

 Introductory students interested in majoring in Biology 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:

• 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.
• CHEM 231 is offered ONLY in the fall semester. CHEM 120 is the only prerequisite for CHEM 231. CHEM 122 is offered only in spring semester but is not required for CHEM 231.
• BIO 3XX upper-level courses can be distributed across semesters in any fashion once the introductory series (BIO 219/220, BIO 221, BIO 250) 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), and CHEM 120 and 122 ideally should be completed by the end of the sophomore year. CHEM 231 should be completed sophomore or junior year. Students and their advisors should be aware that CHEM 231 is only offered in the fall semester.
• Students should complete CHEM 332 and 234 (Organic Chemistry II and lab), CHEM 253 (Biochemistry), and PHYS 101 and 102 (or PHYS 110 and 120).
  • PHYS 101: fall semesters only
  • PHYS 102: spring semester
  • 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. Completion of CHEM 120 with a C or better is required to enroll in CHEM 231.
3. BIO 219/220 OR BIO 221 are prerequisites for BIO 250.
4. BIO 219/220, 221, AND BIO 250 are prerequisites for BIO 300-level courses.
5. BIO 219/220, 221, AND a grade of C or higher in BIO 250 are prerequisites for BIO 580.
6. BIO 580 is a prerequisite for BIO 600. BIO 600 is a prerequisite for BIO 610.

Pathway 1. Chemistry and Math
This pathway is recommended for students who place into MATH 151.  

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.
 

Pathway 3. Biology and Chemistry
This pathway is 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.  

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.
⁽³⁾ Only offered in Fall. Required for Biology major.
⁽⁴⁾ Can be taken either semester of junior year.

Timing of Courses

Most courses are taught each year and some are taught each semester as indicated in the following table. Staffing may necessitte changes to this schedule so Self-Service should be consulted for specific courses taught each semester

Important Considerations:

• Placement into MATH 151 is a prerequisite for starting in Chemistry 120 in the first semester.
• Any student considering a Biochemistry Major is strongly encouraged to meet with a member of the Biochemistry faculty prior to scheduling classes for their sophomore or junior year.