Comparison of Biology B.S. and B.A. Degree Requirements

B.S. Program in Biology

B.A. Program in Biology

REQUIRED COURSES FOR BOTH B.S. and B.A. MAJORS

BI200, Intro Biology 1:  Molecules & Cells* (fall)
  (* unless AP credits are used)

BI202, Intro Biology 2:  Organisms & Populations* (spring)
  (* unless AP credits are used)

BI304, Molecular Cell Biology (fall)
BI310, Molecular Cell Biology Lab (fall)

BI305, Genetics (spring)
BI311, Genetics Lab (spring)

CO-REQUISITE COURSES

Chemistry:

  • CH-109, General Chemistry I with CH-111, General Chemistry Lab I
  • CH-110, General Chemistry II with CH-112, General Chemistry Lab II
  • CH-231, Organic Chemistry I with CH-233, Organic Chemistry Lab I
  • CH-232, Organic Chemistry II with CH-234, Organic Chemistry Lab II 

Mathematics:

  • Calculus I (MT-100, MT-102, or equivalent)
  • Calculus II (MT-101, MT-103, MT-105, or equivalent)

Physics:

  • PH-211, Intro to Physics I (calculus-based) with PH-203, Intro to Physics Lab I
  • PH-212, Intro to Physics II (calculus-based) with PH-204, Intro to Physics Lab II

Chemistry:

  • CH-109, General Chemistry I with CH-111, General Chemistry Lab I
  • CH-110, General Chemistry II with CH-112, General Chemistry Lab II

Mathematics:

  • Calculus I (MT-100, MT-102, or equivalent)

BIOLOGY ELECTIVES

Total of 5-7 Biology Electives depending on whether AP Credits were used for Intro Biology (BI200 and BI202), as explained below:

  • Did not use AP credits for Intro Biology.  These BS majors need 5 biology electives taken from at least two of the three categories of biology electives.
  • Used AP Credits to fulfill Intro Biology Requirement.  These BS majors need 7 biology electives taken from all three categories.

 

Total of 6-8 Electives depending on whether AP Credits were used for Intro Biology (BI200 and BI202), as explained below:

  • Did not use AP credits for Intro Biology.  B.A. majors without AP Biology credits need to complete a minimum of 6 elective courses.  Three of these electives must be upper-division biology electives and should be taken from at least two of the three categories of electives.  For the remaining 3 electives, students may select either additional biology electives or they may take approved electives from the list of "Approved Biology B.A. Electives."
  • Used AP Credits to fulfill Intro Biology Requirement.  BA majors who used AP Biology credits to fulfill the Intro Biology requirement (BI200 & BI202) need to complete a total of 8 electives.  Five of these electives must be upper-division biology electives and should be taken from all three categories.  For the remaining three electives, students may either select additional biology electives or they may take courses from the list of "Approved Biology Electives."

UPPER-DIVISION LABORATORY COURSE

Since research is an integral part of the biology major, students are required to complete an Upper-Division Laboratory Course.  The following three options are available to students:

  • Option 1:  3-credit Laboratory Course
  • Option 2:  3-credit Elective Course with 1-credit Laboratory
  • Option 3:  1 semester of undergraduate research under supervision of professor or at an off-campus laboratory under co-mentorship of BC faculty member.