Biology Department

Bachelor Of Arts

Requirements for the Biology Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Program

  • Introductory Biology 1:  Organisms and Populations (BI 200)
  • Introductory Biology 2:  Molecules and Cells (BI 202)
  • Molecular Cell Biology (BI 304) with Lab (BI 310)
  • Genetics (BI-305) with Lab (BI 311)
  • Electives.  A total of 6 or 8 electives depending on whether AP Credits were used for Introductory Biology (BI 200/202) sequence.
    • Did not use AP Biology credits for Intro Biology (6 electives).  Three of these electives must be upper-division biology electives and should be taken from at least two of the three categories.  For the remaining three electives, students may select either additional biology electives or they may take electives from the list of "Approved Biology BA Electives."
    • Used AP Biology credits to fulfill Intro Biology Requirement (8 electives).  These majors must complete a minimum of 8 elective courses.  Five of these electives must be biology electives and should be taken from all three categories.  For the remaining three electives, students may select either additional biology electives or from the list of "Approved Biology BA Electives."
  • Co-Requisite Courses 
    • General Chemistry 1 and 2 (CH 109/110) with Labs (CH 111/112)
    • Calculus 1 ( MT 100 or MT 102)

Course Sequencing

Biology majors are advised to enroll in BI 200-202 in their first year and in BI 304-305 (Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics) along with their associated labs in their second year. This schedule allows majors to take maximum advantage of the opportunities for undergraduate research that are available to juniors and seniors, and to have maximum flexibility in choosing upper-division electives.

Biology AP Credits

Students who received a score of 5 on the AP Biology Exam in their senior year of high school may be eligible to bypass the BI 200/202 sequence and enroll directly in the "second-year" sequence of BI-304 (Molecular Cell Biology) with the associated lab (BI-310) in the fall semester and BI-305 (Genetics) with the associated lab (BI-311) in the spring.  These students will then need to substitute two additional biology electives in the place of the BI-200/202 sequence.  Any student considering this option should carefully discuss this option with a Biology Academic Advisor during Freshmen Orientation in order to make the best decision.