Programs

Major Requirements

Thirty-six credits from the Department which must include the following:

1. Twelve credits constituting the Biology core: BIO 121, 122, 249, and 280.
2. Four credits from the Molecular Biology offerings: BIO 204, 301, 308, 330 or 430.
3. Eight credits from the Ecology/Organismal offerings: BIO 205, 207, 212/213, 220, 303, 304, 309, 360, 361, or 402.
4. Twelve additional credits from the Biology Department, including Spring Term courses.
5. All senior biology majors are required to take the ETS/MFAT Subject Test prior to graduation.

Note: Beginning in fall 2009 those freshmen considering a biology major should enroll in BIO 122 for the Fall Term, and BIO 121 for the Winter Term.

Teaching Major

Thirty-six credits from the Department which must include the following:

1. Twelve credits constituting the Biology core: BIO 121, 122, 249, and 280.
2. Four credits of Genetics (BIO 204).
3. Four credits of Ecology (BIO 402).
4. Four credits of Plant Science (either BIO 212/213 or 220).
5. Twelve additional credits from the Biology Department, including Spring Term courses.

Program Considerations

Potential Biology majors should note that many career opportunities for biologists, including graduate and professional programs, require two terms each of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. Therefore, Biology majors are encouraged to complete Chemistry 115, 223, 224 and 230, Physics 112-113 or 121-122, and Mathematics 112-113 or 116 or 121-122.

Students who are considering a teaching career and a Teaching Major in Biology must plan a diversified biology curriculum which should include both botany and ecology coursework.

Completion of an independent research project or senior thesis is encouraged, particularly for those students considering graduate school.

Minor Requirements

Twenty-four credits which must include Biology 121, 122 and 280.

Teaching Minor Requirements

Twenty-four credits which must include BIO 121, 122, 204, 4 credits of botany (either 212 and 213, or 220), 249, 280 and 402. Biology 121, or proficiency, is a prerequisite for all courses in the Department unless stated otherwise.

Biology 121, or proficiency, is a prerequisite for all courses beyond BIO 122 in the Department unless stated otherwise.

Four credits from BIO, with the exception of practicum or independent study courses, count towards the Distributive Requirements in the Natural Sciences — Life Sciences.