Biology - Requirements
Biology Major
For a 129-credit to 141-credit major in biology, students complete the following:
Year One
BI 170-171 General Biology I and II, 8 credits
CH 11-12 General Inorganic Chemistry I and II, 8 credits
MA121-122 Applied Calculus I and II, 6 credits
Core curriculum courses, 12 credits
Subtotal: 34 credits
Year Two
BI 172 General Biology III, 4 credits
CH 211 Organic Chemistry I, 4 credits
CH 212 Organic Chemistry II, 4 credits
PS 15-16 General Physics I and II*, 8 credits
Biology block elective (see below), 3-4 credits
Core curriculum courses, 12 credits
Subtotal: 35 to 36 credits
Year Three**
Biology block elective (see course page), 6 to 8 credits
Biology electives***, 6 to 8 credits
General electives, 6 to 8 credits
Core curriculum courses, 12 credits
Subtotal: 30 to 36 credits
Year Four**
Biology electives***,
3 to 4 credits
Biology capstone elective, 3 credits
General electives, 12 to 16 credits
Core curriculum courses, 12 credits
Subtotal: 30 to 35 credits
*Physics may be taken in second or third year.
**The sequence for biology block electives, biology electives, and capstone elective shown here are only suggestions. You may arrange them differently.
***Various upper-level courses may be double-counted toward the departmental concentrations in molecular biology or marine science.
Biology Block Electives and Additional Requirements
During the sophomore (second semester) through senior years of the degree, a minimum of six biology courses and a capstone experience (described below) are required. To ensure breadth of exposure, at least one course must be taken from each of the following three blocks. The three remaining biology course electives may be any 200- or 300-level courses from the blocks listed below. Four of the six courses taken during the sophomore (second semester) through senior years must include a laboratory component.
Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology Block (8 courses)
BI 261 Genetics
BI 327 Cell Biology
BI 342 Developmental Biology
BI 352 Fundamentals of Microbiology
BI 354 Molecular Biology
BI 357 General Virology
BI 358 Recombinant DNA Technology
BI 381 Special Topics Seminar
Biochemistry and Physiology Block (9 courses)
BI 107-108 Anatomy & Physiology*
BI 213 Endocrinology
BI 312 Human Physiology
BI 313 Comparative Physiology
BI 324 Biochemistry I
BI 325 Biochemistry II
BI 356 Immunology
BI 369 Plant Biology: Morphology, Biochemistry, and Physiology
BI 382 Special Topics Seminar
Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Science Block (11 courses)
BI 260 Ecology
BI 318 Vertebrate Zoology
BI 321 Animal Behavior
BI 362 Marine Invertebrate Zoology
BI 364 Freshwater Ecology
BI 365 Evolutionary Biology
BI 366 Ornithology
BI 368 Plant Biology: Evolution, Diversity, and Environment
BI 370 Environmental Health and Safety
BI 375 Biochemical Ecology
BI 383 Coral Reef Ecology Seminar
* BI 107 and BI 108 may be taken by students pursuing allied health programs, where this course is required. Taking both semesters will count as one Biochemistry and Physiology block upper-level elective with lab. Permission of the department chair is required.
The choice of block electives, advanced biology electives, and general electives inside or outside the department varies according to a student's career objective and interest. Students make their choices after consultation with appropriate department advisors. Students interested in molecular biology may, for example, take advanced courses to fulfill a concentration in molecular biology.
Students interested in graduate, medical, dental, or allied health schools may select electives that meet the requirements for admission to graduate or professional schools. Students interested in science writing or teaching in biology may choose to earn minors in English or education.
Faculty research specializations provide opportunities for qualified students to participate in laboratory research or library investigations in their chosen interest areas under a professor's guidance. Internships at off-campus institutions can also be arranged for qualified students. These opportunities expand and enhance the biology program's numerous possibilities for individualization.
The Capstone Experience
During their capstone experience, students connect the diverse experience and knowledge they acquire as biology majors, focusing these newly acquired skills on a specific problem or current area of biological research. At the heart of a capstone experience is the idea that learning requires participation - in the field, in the lab, through an internship, or in an upper-level seminar course - where biology majors are exposed to the way that science is conducted. As a result, capstone experiences are academically challenging and require biology students to think critically and creatively.
To satisfy the capstone requirement, students may choose from the following options:
- Work with a faculty member on a research project (BI 391, BI 392, BI 393, BI 394);
- Arrange an internship (BI 397 or BI 398); or
- Enroll in an upper-level seminar course (BI 381, 382, BI 383).
To maximize its value, the capstone experience is normally completed during the senior year. Students intending to continue their studies in graduate school should consider participating in two or more terms of research. All on-campus capstone experiences require prior approval from a student's faculty mentor or advisor. Off-campus capstone experiences require an on-campus faculty mentor and approval from the department chair. Prior consultation is required to assure that the particular activity is acceptable and earns credit for the capstone experience.
Advanced seminars cannot be double-counted for the capstone experience and the six required courses in the junior/senior years.
Biology Major with a Concentration in Molecular Biology
In addition to the requirements noted above, students take four courses from the molecular, cell, and developmental biology block. BI 324 Biochemistry I, BI 325 Biochemistry II, and BI 356 Immunology may also be accepted. Interested students should consult with Dr. Phyllis Braun for advisement and completion of appropriate paperwork.
Biology Major with a Concentration in Marine Science
In addition to the requirements noted above, students take four courses from the marine sciences. Interested students should consult with Dr. Diane Brousseau for advisement and completion of appropriate paperwork.
BI 78 Introduction to Marine Science
BI 80 Tropical Marine Science
BI 362 Marine Invertebrate Zoology
BI 383 Ecology Block Seminar
- Principles of Aquaculture
- Coral Reef Ecology
- Ecology of the North Atlantic Coast
BI 391-394 Biology Research
BI 397-398 Biology Internship
Biology Major with a Minor in Educational Studies and the 5-year Teacher Education Program
Biology majors who elect a minor in Educational Studies and who have been admitted to the 5-year Integrated Bachelors-Masters Degree and Teacher Certification program should consult with Dr. Olivia Harriott, education advisor and Dr. Patricia Calderwood, director of the 5-year certificate program to insure that appropriate thought and reflection on their choices for upper division biology curriculum be made in assuring the best outcome for this unique 5-year program.
Biology Minor
For an 18-20-credit minor in biology, students complete the following:
- BI 170, 171, and 172 General Biology (12 credits)
- Any two biology courses numbered 200 or greater from the biology block electives.
Double counting is not allowed
Please note many upper level biology courses require 4 semesters of Chemistry as prerequisites.