Biological Sciences, B.S.

Requirements for the Major:

Ten courses in biology, including BIO 103 (110)  , BIO 104 (112)  and BIO 225  (this course will be phased out in 2018-19). Students who have Advanced Placement credit for biology will receive credit for BIO 050   , which does not count toward the major or minor, but fulfills the CC Science with Laboratory requirement. The remaining courses must include at least one in each of the following areas:

Additional Requirements

Of the ten courses, only one may be an independent study, research, or honors course (BIO 490 -BIO 496  or BIO 497 -BIO 499 ). Students must take at least five courses numbered 240 or above and students must take three lab courses numbered 300 or higher. Normally required are at least five courses collectively in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, and geology to be chosen in consultation with the advisor. Students usually should take CHM 101  and CHM 102  and MTH 110  and MTH 112  (or MTH 113 ) in their first year. Note that acceptance to graduate and professional schools often requires at least two mathematics, four chemistry (including organic chemistry), and two physics courses.

See relevant listings for requirements for a major in biochemistry, environmental sciences & policy, bioengineering, or neuroscience.

Requirements for Honors in Biological Sciences:

Students eligible for departmental honors must fulfill the College-wide criteria and satisfactorily complete a thesis, usually based on the results of original biological research, which receives the approval of the department and appropriate College committee. It is customary, but not required, that research students enroll in three honors research courses, typically during the senior year. Interdepartmental majors must consult with their advisors in both disciplines during their junior year to receive approval for an interdepartmental thesis. The biology component of an interdepartmental thesis will normally incorporate at least one term of biological research.

Course Selection Guidelines

Placement: Students who received a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement exam may receive credit for BIO 050   . The BIO 050   credit received from the A. P. exam does not count as one of the biology courses toward the major or minor.

Courses Suitable for Non-Majors: BIO 050   , BIO 055   , BIO 058   , BIO 064   , BIO 065   , BIO 077   , and BIO 094   are designed for the general college community and may not be counted toward the biology major nor toward interdepartmental majors that include biology. ISC 080 (IDM-080)  , which requires permission from the instructor, is also suitable for selected non-majors, but it does not count for CC science credit.

Senior Writing Requirement: Biology majors can satisfy the Senior Writing requirement (WS) by conducting research under the direction of a faculty member and writing a thesis (see BIO 497   ) or by taking one of the Senior Seminar courses in their senior year (see BIO 487   , BIO 488   , or BIO 489   ).