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Biology Major

NSM PEAK

42 credits

Major Requirements

Complete the following (19 credits):

BIO-201Molecules to Cells

3 credits
BIO-201LMolecules to Cells Lab

1 credit
-or
BIO-210LMolecules to Cells Research-Based Lab

1 credit
BIO-202Organismal Biology

3 credits
BIO-202LOrganismal Biology

1 credit
BIO-203Ecology, Evolution and Diversity

3 credits
BIO-203LEcology Evolution and Diversity Lab

1 credit
BIO-316Genetics

3 credits
BIO-330Cell Biology

3 credits
BIO-330LCell Biology Lab

1 credit

Complete courses in Chemistry, Math and Physics (8-9 credits):

The credits for the math requirement (MAT-125 or MAT-212) are counted in the Professional Foundations minor.

CHE-141General Chemistry I

3 credits
CHE-141LGeneral Chemistry Laboratory I

1 credit
MAT-125Data Analysis and Statistics

3 credits
-or
MAT-212Multiple Regression Analysis

3 credits
PHY-231General Physics I

3 credits
PHY-231LGeneral Physics I Lab

1 credit
-or
PHY-271Analytical Physics I

4 credits
PHY-271LAnalytical Physics I Lab

1 credit

Complete one Physiology course (4 credits) from the following:

BIO-374Animal Physiology

3 credits
BIO-374LAnimal Physiology Lab

1 credit
BIO-375Plant Physiology

3 credits
BIO-375LPlant Physiology Lab

1 credit
BIO-376Neurophysiology

3 credits
BIO-376LNeurophysiology Lab

1 credit
BIO-377Physiology of Extremes

3 credits
BIO-377LPhysiology Extremes Lab

1 credit

Complete 4-6 credits (to include lab or prep) in Ecology, Evolution, or Systematics from the following:

BIO-317Stream Ecology

3 credits
BIO-317LStream Ecology Lab

1 credit
BIO-319Ichthyology

3 credits
BIO-319LIchthyology Lab

1 credit
BIO-322.1Field Botany

3 credits
BIO-322LField Botany Lab

1 credit
BIO-326Coastal Marine Ecology

4 credits
BIO-326LCoastal Marine Ecology Lab

1 credit
BIO-331Evolution

3 credits
BIO-331LEvolution Lab

1 credit
BIO-339Mammalogy

3 credits
BIO-339LMammalogy Lab

1 credit
BIO-345Ecology

3 credits
BIO-345LEcology Lab

1 credit
BIO-346Field Biology

4 credits
-and
BIO-346.1Field Biology Preparation

2 credits
BIO-349Vertebrate Natural History

3 credits
BIO-349LVertebrate Natural History Lab

1 credit

Complete the Biology Capstone Seminar and Senior Comprehensive Exam (3 credits):

BIO-450Biology Capstone Seminar

3 credits
BIO-499Senior Comprehensive Examination

0 credit

Complete Upper Division Biology Electives (4 or more credits):

BIO-Complete additional 300- or 400-level courses to total at least 34 credits of Biology coursework, including CHE-412/CHE-412L

4 or more

Recommended Electives

For a career in biology, the following electives are recommended:

CHE-142General Chemistry II

3 credits
CHE-142LGeneral Chemistry Laboratory II

1 credit
CHE-301Organic Chemistry I

3 credits
CHE-301LOrganic Chemistry I Lab

1 credit
CHE-302Organic Chemistry II

3 credits
CHE-302LOrganic Chemistry II Lab

1 credit
- 
PHY-232General Physics II

3 credits
PHY-232LGeneral Physics II Lab

1 credit
-or
PHY-272Analytical Physics II

4 credits
PHY-272LAnalytical Physics II Lab

1 credit
- 
MAT-150Applied Calculus: a Modeling Approach

4 credits
MAT-175Single Variable Calculus

4 credits
MAT-212Multiple Regression Analysis

3 credits
- 
BIO-396Biology Research

1-3 credits
-and
BIO-496Biology Research

1-3 credits

Outcomes

Upon successfully completing this major, students will be able to:


1) Demonstrate a broad-based understanding of biological principles grounded in theoretical structure, mathematics, and the physical sciences;
2) Complete a research project to learn the nature and methodologies of biology;
3) Demonstrate and apply knowledge and use of quantitative skills, analytic methods, and techniques used in the field and laboratory applicable to biological sciences;
4) Apply biological knowledge and skills outside of the classroom by participating in independent research, off-campus study in biology, an internship, or teaching;
5) Demonstrate ability to integrate scientific knowledge among the biological sub-disciplines;
6) Demonstrate ability to integrate biological knowledge with other disciplines outside of biology and the natural sciences; and
7) Contribute meaningfully to seminar-type critical discussions of scientific literature.