Undergraduate Program

BA in Biology

We require students to maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) in the major, excluding allied field courses.

To begin the major declaration process for BA in Biology, please use this link to access our departmental form.

Major Requirements

Students planning to major in the biological sciences should take BIOL 110L and 111L (or 112L and 113L), and CHEM 131-132 in their first year, and BIOL 198 or 190 and CHEM 203/207 in the fall of their second year.

Introductory Courses (Three Courses)

Select one of the following introductory I courses:

• 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)

Select one of the following introductory II courses:

• 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)

Select one of the following genetics courses and the associated lab:

• BIOL 190 and BIOL 198P: The Human Genome and Lab
• BIOL 198 and BIOL 198P: Principles of Genetics and Lab

Laboratory Experience (Two Courses)

• BIOL 198P: Principles of Genetics Lab (required of all students)
• One from the following: (Please note that a four-credit lab experience may also be used as an advanced course.)
  • BIOL 204P: Principles of Human Physiology Lab
  • BIOL 217L: Principles of Human Anatomy
  • BIOL 219L: Genomics of Quantitative Traits
  • BIOL 218P: Data Analysis in R Computer Laboratory
  • BIOL 225: Lab in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  • BIOL 228: iGEM I&II International Genetically Engineered Machines Competition Course Series
  • BIOL 250L: Introduction to Biochemistry (Prior to spring 2022)
  • BIOL 250P: Introduction to Biochemistry (Spring 2022 onward)
  • BIOL 253L: Computational Biology
  • BIOL 257L: Applied Genomics
  • BIOL 259L: Applied Population Biology
  • BIOL 268: Lab in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology 
  • ####395: Independent Research
  • BCH 208: Laboratory Methods in Biochemistry
  • MBI 221W: Microbiology Laboratory

Advanced Courses (Five Courses)

Choose one of the following evolution and ecology courses:

• BIOL 205: Evolution
• BIOL 219L Genomics of Quantitative Traits with Lab
• BIOL 253L: Computational Biology with Lab
• BIOL 255: Behavioral Endocrinology (Can replace BIOL 260, check for availability)
• BIOL 260: Animal Behavior
• BIOL 263: Ecology
• BIOL 267: Human Evolutionary Genetics

Choose one of the following:

• BIOL 202: Molecular Biology
• BIOL 204: Principles of Human Physiology
• BIOL 210: Molecular Cell Biology
• BIOL 226: Developmental Biology
• BIOL 250: Introduction to Biochemistry without Lab
• BIOL 250 and 250P: Introduction to Biochemistry with Lab
• BIOL 252: Principles of Biochemistry (not offered Spring 2026)
• BIOL 278: Biomechanical Mechanisms of Cellular Processes

Select three courses from BIO diversification elective list.

Ancillary Requirements (Six Courses with Indicated Labs)

Both of the following:

• CHEM 131: Chemical Concepts I with Lab*
• CHEM 132: Chemical Concepts II with Lab*

One of the following organic chemistry courses:

• CHEM 203 and 207: Organic Chemistry I with Lab*
• CHEM 171 and 173: First Year Organic Chemistry I with Lab*

*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 courses:

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

One of the following calculus I courses:

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

One of the following statistics courses:

• BIOL 214: Biostatistics
• STAT 180: (formerly STAT 212) Introduction to Applied Statistical Methodology
• STAT 190: (formerly STAT 213) Introduction to Statistical Methodology