Program Overview

Biology Undergraduate Major (BS, HBS)

The Biology Undergraduate Major (BS, HBS) is designed for students seeking an interdisciplinary background in the life sciences. The major couples a comprehensive biological, physical, and quantitative sciences core with a variety of electives that can be catered to meet diverse professional goals.

Program Options

• Ecology
• Genetics
• Marine Biology and Ecology
• Physiology and Behavior
• Pre-Dentistry/Biology
• Pre-Education Biology
• Pre-Medicine/Biology
• Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Major Requirements

Students in the Biology major must complete the following courses:

• BI 221, BI 222, and BI 223 (or the honors version of this series) with a C or better
• CH 231/CH 261, CH 232/CH 262, or CH 233/CH 263, and CH 331 and CH 332 with a C or better

Course List

The following courses are required for the Biology major:

• Biology Core Courses
  • BI 197: Professional Development I: Health Professions
  • BI 198: Professional Development I: Biology and Zoology
  • BI 298: Professional Development for Biologists II
• Baccalaureate Core Communications
  • COMM 111: Public Speaking
• Baccalaureate Core Writing II
  • WR 327: Technical Writing
  • WR 362: Science Writing
• Mathematics and Statistics Core
  • MTH 251 and MTH 252: Differential Calculus and Integral Calculus
  • MTH 227 and MTH 228: Calculus and Probability for the Life Sciences I and II
  • ST 351: Introduction to Statistical Methods
  • ST 352: Introduction to Statistical Methods
• Chemistry Core
  • CH 231 and CH 261: General Chemistry and Laboratory for Chemistry 231
  • CH 232 and CH 262: General Chemistry and Laboratory for Chemistry 232
  • CH 233 and CH 263: General Chemistry and Laboratory for Chemistry 233
  • CH 331, CH 332, and CH 337: Organic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
• Biological Sciences Core
  • BI 221, BI 222, and BI 223: Principles of Biology: Cells, Organisms, and Populations
  • BI 370: Ecology
  • BI 311: Genetics
  • BB 314: Cell and Molecular Biology
  • BI 445: Evolution
  • MB 302: General Microbiology
  • MB 303: General Microbiology Laboratory

Senior Biology Major Field Test

Students are required to take a comprehensive, two-hour Biology Major Field Test in their final OSU term (or spring term if they will graduate in summer).

Electives

Students must complete electives in the following areas:

• Biology and Society
• Physics or Computational and Quantitative Applications
• Organismal Biology
• Physiology
• Writing Intensive Course (WIC)
• Experiential Learning or Integrative Biology Elective

Total Credits

The total credits required for the Biology Undergraduate Major (BS, HBS) is 180.

Plan of Study

The plan of study for the Biology Undergraduate Major (BS, HBS) is outlined in the following tracks:

• Track I
• Track II
• Track III

Each track provides a suggested course sequence for completing the major in four years. Students should consult with their advisor to determine the best plan of study for their individual needs.