Biological Sciences Major

Additional Information:

A maximum of one seminar can count toward the 300-level requirement. The 300-level courses must represent at least two different biological disciplines. If both CHE 341  and CHE 345  are elected, three credits may count toward the 14 300-level credits required for the biological science major. To count toward the major, students must receive a grade of at least a C- in all the biological sciences courses. Students planning to major in biological sciences should elect BIO 104  and BIO 105  and CHE 111 /CHE 112  (or CHE 112H ) and CHE 151 /CHE 152  (or CHE 152H ) in their first year and BIO 210 /BIO 214  and BIO 220 /BIO 224  in their sophomore year. CHE 235  and MA 170  or MA 171  are required and should be completed as soon as possible, preferably by the end of the sophomore year. MA 180  is strongly recommended.

The biological core is completed in the junior year by taking BIO 240  and either plant or principles of physiology. All students, especially those contemplating graduate school, are urged to take both BIO 260  and BIO 333 /BIO 334 . The last three semesters may be devoted to specialization at the 300 level and independent research.

Laboratory proficiency and writing proficiency in the major are required. Laboratory reports and papers in BIO 214 , BIO 224 , BIO 240 , and BIO 260  are used to evaluate writing proficiency in the major. Laboratory proficiency is determined in BIO 224  and upper level labs.