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Biology Major Tracks Overview

Biology Major Tracks Overview

Tracks

Summary of Biology Major and Minor Requirements

There are five ways to complete a biology major. These are called "tracks." A student may list only one biology track on their transcript, even if they fulfill the requirements for multiple. Students may select which track is reflected on their transcripts.

All major tracks share the following requirements:

  • Intro Biology sequence (1500, 1501, 1502, 1503)
  • BIOL 2100 Molecular and Mendelian Genetics
  • Five upper-level electives (what type of electives required varies by track)
  • Upper-level labs (three for most tracks, one for CB)
  • Supplemental courses (General & organic chemistry or computing & statistics)
  • Senior capstone

C&M, P&O, and E&E tracks concentrate on a specific level of biological organization. Please refer to the biology major checklists to see a list of requirements for each version of the biology major.

Ready to declare a major in biology? Submit a major declaration form via Slate and check out our Major Advising Resources page!

General Biology (GB)

Cellular & Molecular Biology (C&M)

Physiological & Organismal Biology (P&O)

Ecological & Evolutionary Biology (E&E)

Computational Biology (CB)

Major Track/ Minor

Introductory Biology & Genetics

Upper-Level Lectures

Upper-Level Labs

Other Course Requirements

Senior Capstone/

Thesis
General Biology (GB)
5 Intro Courses

Intro Biology Sequence:

BIOL BC1500, BIOL BC1501, BIOL BC1502, & BIOL BC1503.

Genetics:

BIOL BC2100
5 Lecture Courses

1 C&M course, 1 P&O course, 1 E&E course, and 2 courses from any category
Any 3 Lab Courses

Yearlong courses count as 2 labs
General Chemistry: 

CHEM BC2001 Lecture/Lab

Organic Chemistry

CHEM BC3230 Lecture & CHEM BC3328 Lab
Senior Thesis:

BIOL 3590

OR

BIOL 3593 & BIOL 3594
Cell & Molecular Biology
(C&M)
5 Intro Courses

Intro Biology Sequence:

BIOL BC1500, BIOL BC1501, BIOL BC1502, & BIOL BC1503.

Genetics:

BIOL BC2100
5 Lecture Courses

4 C&M courses and 1 E&E or P&O course
Any 3 Lab Courses

Yearlong courses count as 2 labs
General Chemistry: 

CHEM BC2001 Lecture/Lab

Organic Chemistry

CHEM BC3230 Lecture & CHEM BC3328 Lab
Senior Thesis:

BIOL 3590

OR

BIOL 3593 & BIOL 3594
Physiology & Organismal Biology
(P&O)
5 Intro Courses

Intro Biology Sequence:

BIOL BC1500, BIOL BC1501, BIOL BC1502, & BIOL BC1503.

Genetics:

BIOL BC2100
5 Lecture Courses

4 P&O courses and 1 C&M or E&E course
Any 3 Lab Courses

Yearlong courses count as 2 labs
General Chemistry: 

CHEM BC2001 Lecture/Lab

Organic Chemistry

CHEM BC3230 Lecture & CHEM BC3328 Lab
Senior Thesis:

BIOL 3590

OR

BIOL 3593 & BIOL 3594
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
(E&E)
5 Intro Courses

Intro Biology Sequence:

BIOL BC1500, BIOL BC1501, BIOL BC1502, & BIOL BC1503.

Genetics:

BIOL BC2100
5 Lecture Courses

4 E&E courses and 1 C&M or E&E course
Any 3 Lab Courses

Yearlong courses count as 2 labs
General Chemistry: 

CHEM BC2001 Lecture/Lab

Organic Chemistry

CHEM BC3230 Lecture & CHEM BC3328 Lab
Senior Thesis:

BIOL 3590

OR

BIOL 3593 & BIOL 3594
Computational Biology
(CB)
5 Intro Courses

Intro Biology Sequence:

BIOL BC1500, BIOL BC1501, BIOL BC1502, & BIOL BC1503.

Genetics:

BIOL BC2100
5 Lecture Courses
  • 4 CB-COMP courses
  • 1 CB-BIOL course
1 CB-Lab Course

CB-Lab courses are listed in the course offerings, the CB majors' checklist, & the course catalog.
Computing & Statistics Courses:

1 introductory computing course &

1 introductory statistics course
Senior Thesis:

BIOL 3590

OR

BIOL 3593 & BIOL 3594
Biology Minor
4 Intro Courses

Intro Biology Sequence:

BIOL BC1500, BIOL BC1501, BIOL BC1502, & BIOL BC1503.
3 Lecture Courses

These lecture courses may be of any kind (BIOL 2100 counts)
Any 2 Lab Courses

Yearlong courses count as 2 labs

 

 

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You can print or download a summary of biology major and minor requirements.

Biology Major Requirements