Biology Major

College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) – Department of Biology

 

General Education Requirements

All students must satisfy a general education requirement consisting of ten (10) courses outside of the major department. The General Education Domain II-B (Natural Sciences) and laboratory requirement are satisfied through the completion of the Biology major.

Course Prerequisites

Courses may have specified conditions for enrollment, such as prior completion of less advanced courses, permission of the instructor, or appropriate placement test scores. Students should refer to course descriptions in the department listings for prerequisite requirements.

 

Requirements for the Major in Biology

Biology majors must complete core requirements as well as additional requirements for the particular concentration chosen (see below).

The following twelve (12) Biology core course requirements are required of Biology majors in all concentrations:

Biology Major Core Courses:

  • BIOL 125 The Biology Experience
  • BIOL 135/135L Foundations of Biological Science with Lab
  • BIOL 208/208L Genetics
  • BIOL 230 Professional Communication in Biology
  • BIOL 262/262L Molecular Biology with Lab
  • BIOL 402 Processes of Organic Evolution
  • CHEM 107/107L Principles of Chemistry with Lab
  • CHEM 108/108L Principles of Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis with Lab
  • CHEM 207/207L Organic Chemistry I with Lab
  • MATH 180 Precalculus*
  • STAT 208 Biostatistics or
    • ENVS 202 Data Analysis for Scientists

Required Capstone Course:

  • BIOL 460 Research Experience in Biology **

*Students proficient at the precalculus level should enroll in MATH 219 Calculus I to satisfy the Gen. Ed. Domain Common Core Math requirement.

**An original research project is required of all Biology majors. Students may enroll in this course only after completing both BIOL 230 Professional Communication in Biology. Prior to enrollment in BIOL 460 Research Experience in Biology, the student should meet with her/his advisor and with other Biology faculty to tailor the research project to the student’s interests and career goals.

Additional courses are required of Biology majors in all concentrations. Biology electives are listed below in groups labeled “A-E”. The number and distribution of electives required for completion of a Biology major varies according to the concentration selected by the student.

Group A: Cellular and Molecular Biology Electives

  • BIOL 218/218L Introduction to Bioinformatics with Lab
  • BIOL 228/228L Microbiology with Lab
  • BIOL 260/260L Cellular Biology with Lab
  • BIOL 356 Biology of Cancer
  • BIOL 381 Theories of Infectious Diseases
  • BIOL 400 Trends in Biotechnology
  • BIOL 426 Human Immunity
  • BIOL 432 Vertebrate Development
  • CHEM 300/300L Principles of Biochemistry with Lab or
    • CHEM 301/301L Biochemistry I with Lab

Group B: Organismal Diversity Electives

  • BIOL 203 Plants and Society *
  • BIOL 212/212L Wildlife Specimen Preparation Techniques
  • BIOL 232/232L Invertebrate Zoology with Lab
  • BIOL 236/236L Ornithology with Lab
  • BIOL 251/251L Vascular Plant Taxonomy with Lab
  • BIOL 320/320L Animal Behavior with Lab
  • BIOL 323 Biology and Conservation of Crocodiles

* This course may not be used as a required plant course.

Group C: Physiology Electives

  • BIOL 235/235L Principles of Human Physiology with Lab *
  • BIOL 241/241L Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab *
  • BIOL 242/242L Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
  • BIOL 255/255L Plant Physiology with Lab
  • BIOL 269 Sex, Brains, and Hormones
  • BIOL 344/344L Animal Physiological Ecology with Lab *
  • HLTH 302 Exercise Physiology
  • NEUR 225 Biopsychology
  • NEUR 380 Neuropharmacology

* Only one of these courses may be taken in order to receive biology credit.

Group D: Ecological and Evolutionary Biology Electives

  • BIOL 233/233L Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy with Lab
  • BIOL 248/248L Principles of Ecology with Lab
  • BIOL 291 Principles of Tropical Ecology and Conservation: Field Study
  • BIOL 321/321L Limnology with Lab
  • BIOL 335/355L Principles of Wildlife Biology with Lab
  • BIOL 393 Wildlife Management and Conservation Topics

Group E: Advanced Biology Electives

  • BIOL 490 Independent Study in Biology
  • BIOL 495 Internship in Biology

 

For students who plan to pursue an advanced degree in Biology, the following courses are strongly recommended:

  • CHEM 301 Biochemistry I with Lab
  • MATH 219 Calculus I
  • PHYS 201 Physics for Earth and Life Scientists with Lab or both
    • PHYS 211 Principles of Physics I with Lab and
    • PHYS 212 Principles of Physics II with Lab

(Note: MATH 219 Calculus I is a prerequisite for Principles of Physics I.)

 

CONCENTRATIONS

Concentration in General Biology (UBIG):

Biology majors may elect to take a broad spectrum of courses covering the major areas of biology: cellular and molecular biology, organismal biology, physiology, and ecology and evolutionary biology, possibly combined with a minor according to the student’s interests. This curriculum prepares students for the advanced Graduate Record Examination in Biology, a prerequisite for admission to many graduate programs in biology. In addition to entering graduate school, students graduating with a bachelor’s of science in biology are employed as laboratory technologists in academic and industrial settings, sales representatives for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, scientific illustrators, and technical writers.

Students must take an additional six (6) biology electives (one of these courses must focus on plants and one on animals):

One (1) course from Group A

One (1) course from Group B

One (1) from the following Group C courses:

  • BIOL 235/235L Principles of Human Physiology with Lab *
  • BIOL 242/242L Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab *
  • BIOL 255/255L Plant Physiology with Lab
  • BIOL 344/344L Animal Physiological Ecology with Lab *

*Only one of these courses may be taken in order to receive Biology credit.

One (1) course from Group D

Two (2) additional courses from Group A-E

 

Concentration in Biotechnology (UBIO):

Students may elect a curriculum that emphasizes cellular and molecular biology. Courses covering microbiology, immunology, genetics, Recombinant DNA technology, and cell culture are appropriate for those interested in research positions in the biotechnology industry, medical centers, and government agencies. Graduates of the program are also prepared for careers in diverse areas of the pharmaceutical industry such as product development, sales and marketing, quality control, and technical training.

Students must take six (6) or seven (7) additional courses:

  • BIOL 260/260L Cell Biology with Lab
  • CHEM 301/301L Biochemistry I with Lab or
    • CHEM 300/300L Principles of Biochemistry with Lab
  • PHYS 201/201L Physics for Earth and Life Scientists with Lab or 
    • PHYS 211/211L Principles of Physics I and
    • PHYS 212/212L Principles of Physics II

One (1) additional course from Group A

Two (2) courses from the following:

  • BIOL courses 200-level or above
  • CHEM 208/208L Organic Chemistry II with Lab
  • CHEM 332/332L Biochemistry II with Lab
  • MATH 219 Calculus I

Note: A students who selects CHEM 208 Organic Chemistry II with Lab, CHEM 301 Biochemistry I with Lab and CHEM 332 Biochemistry II with Lab may complete a Biochemistry minor in addition to the Biotechnology Concentration.

Note: if the student is accepted/enrolled in the PSM 4+1 program, up to two (2) of the science graduate courses may be used toward this concentration in place of the additional courses.

 

Concentration in Wildlife and Environmental Biology (UBIW):

Requirements for the concentration in wildlife and environmental biology include courses in wildlife biology or environmental science, both animal and plant systems, ecology, and policy/communication. Upon graduation, students will have completed the majority of curriculum requirements for certification as a Wildlife Biologist by the Wildlife Society. Graduates of this program are prepared for graduate studies or careers as wildlife biologists, wildlife managers, conservation biologists, environmental consultants, park rangers, and zookeepers.

Students must take seven (7) additional courses:

  • BIOL 248/248L Principles of Ecology with Lab
  • BIOL 251/251L Vascular Plant Taxonomy with Lab
  • BIOL 335/355L Principles of Wildlife Biology with Lab
  • BIOL 344/344L Animal Physiological Ecology with Lab

Must choose one course from each of the following biology elective groups:

  • One (1) course from Group A
  • One (1) course from Group B
  • One (1) course from Group D

Other courses that are not required but would be useful for students in this concentration include the following:

  • CHEM 300/300L Principle of Biochemistry with Lab
  • EASC 118 Oceanography
  • GEOG 216 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
  • GEOG 235 Environmental Law and Policy
  • GEOG 240 Municipal Land Use
  • GEOG 375 Resource Management
  • PHYS 201/201L Physics for Earth and Life Scientists with Lab
  • POSC 329 Public Policy Analysis

Note: Students interested in certification by The Wildlife Society should meet with the program advisor when choosing electives.

 

Concentration in Pre-Health Program (UBIP):

This concentration is designed for Biology majors who plan to attend medical school, dental school, veterinary school, or pursue a career in either human or animal health. Though specific programs may have additional or slightly varying requirements, these basic courses are required by the majority of professional schools. Students are strongly advised to meet the pre-professional advisor early in their coursework.

Students must take seven (7) courses, depending upon their interest:

One (1) Physiology Elective:

  • BIOL 235/235L Principles of Human Physiology with Lab
  • BIOL 241/241L Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab

Three (3) Additional Biology or Physiology Electives:

  • BIOL 228/225L Microbiology with Lab
  • BIOL 233/233L Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy with Lab
  • BIOL 242/242L Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab or
    • BIOL 344/344L Animal Physiological Ecology with Lab
  • BIOL 260/260L Cell Biology with Lab
  • BIOL 356 Biology of Cancer
  • BIOL 381 Theories of Infectious Disease
  • BIOL 426 Human Immunology
  • BIOL 432 Vertebrate Development
  • HLTH 302 Exercise Physiology

One (1) Biochemistry Elective:

  • CHEM 300/300L Principles of Biochemistry with Lab
  • CHEM 301/301L Biochemistry I with Lab

Two (2) Additional Electives from:   

  • CHEM 208/208L Organic Chemistry II with Lab
  • CHEM 332/332L Biochemistry II with Lab
  • HLTH 222 Public Health and Epidemiology
  • HLTH 326 Drugs, Alcohol, and Addictive Behavior
  • MATH 219 Calculus I
  • MATH 220 Calculus II
  • NEUR 225 Biopsychology
  • NEUR 380 Neuropharmacology
  • NEUR 450 Seminar in Neuroscience
  • NUTR 110 Fundamentals of Nutrition Science
  • PHIL 222 Bioethics
  • PHYS 211/211L Principles of Physics I with Lab
  • PHYS 212/212L  Principles of Physics II with Lab

Recommended:

  • HEAL 100 Orientation to Health-Related Professions (Non-credit)

Note: A students who selects CHEM 208 Organic Chemistry II with Lab, CHEM 301 Biochemistry I with Lab and CHEM 332 Biochemistry II with Lab may complete a Biochemistry minor in addition to the Biotechnology Concentration.

Concentration in Biology Secondary Education Teaching Program (UBIT):

Students who plan to teach at the high school level will fulfill the Commonwealth’s requirements for secondary education certification in biology by completing a program similar to the general biology concentration. Students must also declare and complete the requirements for a Secondary Education Minor (see Education Department section of the catalog).

Students must take the following additional courses:

  • BIOL 235/235L Principles of Human Biology with Lab or
    • BIOL 241/241L Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab and
    • BIOL 242/242L Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab
  • BIOL 248/248L Principles of Ecology with Lab
  • PHYS 201/201L Physics for Earth and Life Scientists with Lab

One (1) of the following courses relating to plants:

  • BIOL 203 Plants and Society
  • BIOL 251/251L Vascular Plant Taxonomy with Lab
  • BIOL 255/255L Plant Physiology with Lab

Additional Recommended Courses:

  • BIOL 228/228L Microbiology with Lab
  • GEOL 108/108L Physical Geology with Lab

Eight (8) Education courses are also required for a Secondary Education Minor (see Education section of the University catalog).

 

Effective as of the 2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog