Program Overview

Introduction to the Biology, BS Program

The Biology, BS program at Western Washington University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of living organisms and their interactions with the environment. The program aims to develop critical thinking skills, quantitative problem-solving abilities, leadership and team-building skills, and scientific research skills.

Program Description

The Biology, BS program enables students to develop an integrated conceptual foundation in biology. The program includes a range of courses that cover the principles of biology, including evolution, ecology, and biodiversity, as well as cellular and molecular biology. Students also have the opportunity to choose from a variety of concentration options, including Biomedical Sciences I and II, Ecology, Biodiversity, and Organismal Biology, Genes, Genomes, and Evolution, Marine Biology, Molecular, Cellular, and Development Biology, and Secondary Education.

Concentration Options

• Biomedical Sciences I Concentration (20 credits)
• Biomedical Sciences II Concentration (24 credits)
• Ecology, Biodiversity, and Organismal Biology Concentration (20 credits)
• Genes, Genomes, and Evolution Concentration (20 credits)
• Marine Biology Concentration (20 credits)
• Molecular, Cellular, and Development Biology Concentration (20 credits)
• Secondary Education Concentration (20 credits)

Admission and Declaration Process

Admission to the Biology Major is based on an application procedure that considers prior academic performance and student responses to focused prompts. Students who have begun the introductory biology series and/or the introductory chemistry series may be granted pre-major status. Students who have been formally admitted into Western may declare a biology pre-major by filling out the Student Academic Declaration and Change Form.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student's major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors. A GPA of 2.50 or above in the major is required.

Program Requirements

The program requires 99-103 credits, comprising 79 credits of required courses plus 20-24 credits that vary by required concentration.

Foundational Coursework (39 credits)

• Mathematics (5 credits)
  • MATH 124 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (5 credits)
  • MATH 134 - Calculus I Honors (5 credits)
• Chemistry (19 credits)
  • CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I (5 credits)
  • CHEM 162 - General Chemistry II (5 credits)
  • CHEM 163 - General Chemistry III (5 credits)
  • CHEM 175 - General Chemistry I, Honors (5 credits)
  • CHEM 176 - General Chemistry II, Honors (5 credits)
  • CHEM 225 - General Chemistry III, Honors (5 credits)
  • CHEM 351 - Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
• Physics (15 credits)
  • PHYS 114 - Principles of Physics I (5 credits)
  • PHYS 115 - Principles of Physics II (5 credits)
  • PHYS 116 - Principles of Physics III (5 credits)
  • PHYS 161 - Physics with Calculus I (5 credits)
  • PHYS 162 - Physics with Calculus II (5 credits)
  • PHYS 163 - Physics with Calculus III (5 credits)

Biology Core (40 credits)

• Introductory Courses (15 credits)
  • BIOL 204 - Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity w/lab (5 credits)
  • BIOL 205 - Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology w/lab (5 credits)
  • BIOL 206 - Introduction to Organismal Biology w/lab (5 credits)
• Upper-Division Lecture Courses (25 credits)
  • BIOL 340 - Biostatistics (5 credits)
  • BIOL 327 - Fundamentals of Molecular Biology (4 credits)
  • BIOL 321 - Genetics (4 credits)
  • BIOL 328 - Cell Biology (4 credits)
  • BIOL 325 - Ecology (4 credits)
  • BIOL 432 - Evolutionary Biology (4 credits)

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement

Conclusion

The Biology, BS program at Western Washington University provides students with a comprehensive education in biology, preparing them for a range of careers in the field. With a range of concentration options and a strong focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills, this program is ideal for students who are passionate about biology and want to make a positive impact in the world.