BS in Biological Sciences

Cell and Developmental Biology (BCD) Track

We require students to maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) in the major, excluding allied field courses. See the advising page for information on how to declare your major, who your program advisor is, double majors, double degrees, petitioning for exceptions and more.

Major Requirements

Introductory Courses (3 Courses)

One of the following:

  • BIOL 110L: Principles of Biology I with Lab
  • BIOL 112L: Perspectives in Biology I with Lab (pre-requires AP biology exam score of 4 or 5)

One of the following:

  • BIOL 111L: Principles of Biology II with Lab
  • BIOL 113L: Perspectives in Biology I with Lab (pre-requires AP biology exam score of 4 or 5)
  • BIOL 115: Introduction to Organismal Evolutionary Biology (not offered after spring 2017; may use if taken)

Plus BIOL 198: Principles of Genetics 

Laboratory Experience (2–3 Courses)

Select one half lab from UPBM laboratories list; BIOL 111P/117P (Not offered after Spring 2018; must use if already taken) and BIOL 198P are highly recommended. May use lab from BIOL 110L or 250L if taken.

Plus one of the following:

  • BIOL 268: Lab in Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology (usually taken junior year)
  • BIOL 228A&B IGEM I&II (International Genetically Engineered Machines Competition Course Series)
  • #### 395: Independent Research Biological Science Courses (two four-credit courses approved by major advisor)

Advanced Courses (5 Courses)

One of the following:

  • BIOL 250: Introduction to Biochemistry (note BIOL 250P Lab is not required for major)
  • BIOL 250L: Introduction to Biochemistry with lab (last offered spring 21)
  • BIOL 252: Principles of Biochemistry 

And:

  • BIOL 210: Cell Biology
  • BIOL 226: Developmental Biology

Plus two of the following:

  • BIOL 206: Eukaryotic Genomes
  • BIOL 220: Advanced Cell Biology
  • BIOL 222: Biology of Aging
  • BIOL 243: Eukaryotic Gene Regulation
  • BIOL 278: Biochemical Mechanisms of Cellular Processes
  • INTD 447: Signal transduction
  • MBI 473: Immunology

Diversification Elective (1 Course)

Select one from the BCD diversification electives list, which must be approved by the track coordinator. The diversification elective should be outside of the BCD major track.

Ancillary Requirements (9 Courses with Indicated Labs)

Both of the following general chemistry courses:

  • CHEM 131: Chemical Concepts I (lab included)*
  • CHEM 132: Chemical Concepts II (lab included)*

One of the following organic chemistry I courses:

  • CHEM 203/207: Organic Chemistry I with lab*
  • CHEM 171/173: First Year Organic Chemistry I with lab

Note: Satisfactory completion of CHM 171/173 and 172/210 first year organic chemistry series with labs in conjunction with AP credit for CHM 131 fulfills the chemistry requirements.

One of the following organic chemistry II courses:

  • CHEM 204/208: Organic Chemistry II with lab*
  • CHEM 172/210: First Year Organic Chemistry with lab

Note: Satisfactory completion of CHEM 171/173 and 172/210 first year organic chemistry series with labs in conjunction with AP credit for CHEM 131 fulfills the chemistry requirements.

One of the following physics I courses:

  • PHYS 113: General Physics I (lab included)*
  • PHYS 121: Mechanics (lab included)
  • PHYS 141: Mechanics (Honors) (lab included)

One of the following physics II courses:

  • PHYS 114: General Physics II (lab included)*
  • PHYS 122: Electricity and Magnetism (lab included)
  • PHYS 142: Electricity and Magnetism (Honors) (lab included)

One of the following calculus I courses:

  • MATH 141: Calculus I
  • MATH 161: Calculus IA*
  • MATH 171Q: Honors Calculus I

One of the following calculus II courses:

  • MATH 142: Calculus II
  • MATH 162: Calculus IIA*
  • MATH 172Q: Honors Calculus II

One of the following ancillary electives:

  • Math: MATH 163, 164, 165, 235 or other upper-level math with advisor approval (MATH 143 is not acceptable)
  • Statistics: STAT AP, 201, 212, 214 (cross-listed BIOL/STAT 214) or other upper-level statistics course with advisor approval (STAT 211 is not acceptable)
  • Computer Programming: BIOL 208, CSC 161, 170, 171, ECE 114 or other computer programming course with advisor approval (CSC 108 and 110 are not acceptable)

*AP credit will also be accepted for this course. See our advising page for more information about AP credit.

Upper-Level Writing (ULW) Requirements (2 Courses)

All biology majors must complete two ULW courses. Although students are strongly encouraged to complete both ULW requirements by taking biological sciences courses (BIOL, BCH, MBI, NSCI), an upper-level writing course within a natural sciences discipline may also be used to meet one of the requirements.

Writing courses within the humanities and social sciences cannot be applied to the biology major. See upper-level writing requirement for more information on which courses satisfy this requirement.