Program Overview

Bachelor's Degrees in Biology

The Department of Biology offers two bachelor's degrees: the Bachelor of Arts degree and the Bachelor of Science degree.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

The Bachelor of Arts degree provides students with a general background in biology and offers flexibility with fewer requirements for quantitative and physical science courses.

Bachelor of Science Degree

The Bachelor of Science degree is an intensive biology option that provides students with a strong background in several areas of biology and is recommended for students pursuing a career in research.

Core Biology Courses

Core biology courses are taken by students pursuing either the BA or the BS. These courses include:

• BIOL 14: Genetics and Genomics (typically offered every semester)
• BIOL 15: Cells and Organisms (typically offered every semester)
• BIOL 16: Evolution and Biodiversity (typically offered every fall)
• BIOL 18a: General Biology Laboratory (offered in the spring, after taking BIOL 18b and BIOL 14a)
• BIOL 18b: General Biology Laboratory (offered in the fall, after taking BIOL 15b)

Required Chemistry Courses

Required chemistry courses are taken by students pursuing either the BA or the BS. These courses include:

• CHEM 11a and 11b or CHEM 15a and 15b: General Chemistry I and II
• CHEM 18a and 18b or CHEM 19a and 19b: General Chemistry Laboratory I and II
• CHEM 25a and 25b: Organic Chemistry I and II
• CHEM 29a and 29b: Organic Chemistry Laboratory I and II

Biology Electives

• A full list of courses in this group can be found in the University Bulletin.
• Bachelor of Arts requires 12 credits of biology electives (three 4-credit courses)
• Bachelor of Science requires 16 credits of biology electives (four 4-credit courses)

General Science or Biology Electives

• A full list of courses in this group can be found in the University Bulletin.
• Two additional electives from biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, math, or physics are required for either Bachelor's degree (for a total of five elective courses for the BA, or six for the BS)

Quantitative Electives

• A full list of courses in this group can be found in the University Bulletin.
• Bachelor of Arts requires one quantitative elective.
• Bachelor of Science requires two quantitative electives.

Physics Requirements

• Physics is required for students pursuing the BS, but not for those pursuing the BA.
• PHYS 10a and 10b or PHYS 11a and 11b or PHYS 15a and 15b
• Physics lab: PHYS 18a and 18b or PHYS 19a and 19b