Overview

The B.S. degree is recommended as preparation for medical school, veterinary school, dental school, masters and Ph.D. programs in biology, careers in biological research, conservation and environmental management, and teaching at the high school and college level. Biology majors can also choose to specialize their major through three optional tracks: 

  • Pre-Health
  • Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB)
  • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB)

Curriculum Requirements: General Biology

Biology Core Courses
Two semesters of introductory biology plus labs are required, usually taken in the first year:
BIL 150General Biology4
BIL 151General Biology Laboratory1
or BIL 153 Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory I
BIL 160Evolution and Biodiversity4
BIL 161Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory1
or BIL 163 Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory II
BIL 250Genetics3
Select three of the following upper level required biology core courses9
BIL 255
Cellular and Molecular Biology
BIL 320
Evolutionary Biology
BIL 330
Ecology
BIL 360
Comparative Physiology
Additional BIL electives12
At least three credit hours of additional BIL electives must be at the 400-level or higher
At least one BIL elective must be a CAPSTONE course. Capstone courses can be located in Class Search under "Additional Search Criteria", subheading "Class Attributes". All seminars in Biology (BIL 374, BIL 375 and BIL 402) are capstones.
Two biology laboratory or field courses beyond <BIL 151 or BIL 153> and <BIL 161 or BIL 163> are required as part of the additional BIL electives. Approved laboratory/field courses at the 300 level or higher in departments other than Biology (e.g., BMB, MIC, MSC, NEU) can be counted towards this lab requirement. Check with the Department of Biology to confirm that a specific course is allowed to fulfill this requirement.
Up to eight credit hours toward the major may be selected from courses with a biological topic and numbered 300 or higher in MBE, MES, MSC, or OCE.
A maximum of two credit hours of the following may be applied towards the major
BIL 371
Readings in Biology
BIL 372
Readings in Biology
A maximum of six credit hours of the following may be applied towards the major. (Only one of these may be counted towards the lab/field course requirement.)
BIL 495
Projects in Biology
BIL 496
Projects in Biology
BIL 497
Projects in Biology
A maximum of three total credit hours from the following courses may be applied towards the major. The courses in this list may be taken more than once, but only one each will count towards the major. However, these courses may be taken additional times for general elective credit only.
BIL 381
Workshop Leaders in Biology I
BIL 382
Workshop Leaders in Biology II
BIL 481
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Training in Biology
BIL 482
PRISM Teaching Fellow
Chemistry
Three semesters (16 credits) of chemistry are required for the biology major.16
CHM 121
& CHM 113
Principles of Chemistry
and Chemistry Laboratory I
CHM 221
& CHM 205
Introduction to Structure and Dynamics
and Chemical Dynamics Laboratory
CHM 222
& CHM 206
Organic Reactions and Synthesis
and Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory
Statistics or Computer Language/Programming
Select one statistics or one computer language/programming course from the following. This will fulfill the mathematics/statistics/computer programming requirement under the College of Arts and Sciences General degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science. 3-4
BIL 511
Advanced Biostatistics
ECS 204
Environmental Statistics
MSC 204
Environmental Statistics
MTH 224
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
PSY 291
Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics
PSY 292
Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics Section B
CSC 120
Computer Programming I
Physics
Select one of the following Options:10-11
Option One:
PHY 101
& PHY 106
College Physics I
and College Physics Laboratory I
PHY 102
& PHY 108
College Physics II
and College Physics Laboratory II
Option Two:
PHY 201
& PHY 106
University Physics I for the Sciences
and College Physics Laboratory I
PHY 202
& PHY 108
University Physics II for the Sciences
and College Physics Laboratory II
Option Three:
PHY 211
& PHY 106
University Physics I for PRISM
and College Physics Laboratory I
PHY 212
& PHY 108
University Physics II for PRISM
and College Physics Laboratory II
Option Four:
PHY 221
University Physics I
PHY 222
& PHY 224
University Physics II
and University Physics II Lab
PHY 223
& PHY 225
University Physics III
and University Physics III Lab
Minor1-16
Total credit hours for the minor will vary by department.
The CHM requirement for the BS in biology fulfills either 12 or 15 (depending on which option is selected) of the 16 credits necessary for the minor in Chemistry. To complete the minor in Chemistry, only 1-4 additional credits in CHM are required beyond those necessary for the BS in Biology.
General Education Requirements
Written Communication Skills:
WRS 105First-Year Writing I3
ENG 106Writing About Literature and Culture3
or WRS 106 First-Year Writing II
or WRS 107 First-Year Writing II: STEM
Quantitative Skills:
MTH 161Calculus I4
Areas of Knowledge:
Arts and Humanities Cognate9
People and Society Cognate9
STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
Additional Required Courses
MTH 162Calculus II4
Language, one 200-level course3
Electives6-31
Total Credit Hours120-121

Curriculum Requirements:  Pre-Health Track

Biology Core Courses
Two semesters of introductory biology plus labs are required, usually taken in the first year:
BIL 150General Biology4
BIL 151General Biology Laboratory1
or BIL 153 Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory I
BIL 160Evolution and Biodiversity4
BIL 161Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory1
or BIL 163 Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory II
BIL 250Genetics3
BIL 255Cellular and Molecular Biology3
BIL 360Comparative Physiology3
BIL 320Evolutionary Biology3
or BIL 330 Ecology
Additional BIL electives12
At least three credit hours of additional BIL electives must be at the 400-level or higher
At least one BIL elective must be a CAPSTONE course. Capstone courses can be located in Class Search under "Additional Search Criteria", subheading "Class Attributes". All seminars in Biology (BIL 374, BIL 375 and BIL 402) are capstones.
Two biology laboratory or field courses beyond <BIL 151 or BIL 153> and <BIL 161 or BIL 163> are required as part of the additional BIL electives. Approved laboratory/field courses at the 300 level or higher in departments other than Biology (e.g., BMB, MIC, MSC, NEU) can be counted towards this lab requirement. Check with the Department of Biology to confirm that a specific course is allowed to fulfill this requirement.
Up to eight credit hours toward the major may be selected from courses with a biological topic and numbered 300 or higher in MBE, MES, MSC, or OCE.
A maximum of two credit hours of the following may be applied towards the major
BIL 371
Readings in Biology
BIL 372
Readings in Biology
A maximum of six credit hours of the following may be applied towards the major. (Only one of these may be counted towards the lab/field course requirement.)
BIL 495
Projects in Biology
BIL 496
Projects in Biology
BIL 497
Projects in Biology
A maximum of three total credit hours from the following courses may be applied towards the major. Any course in this list may be taken only once to count towards the major. However, these courses may be taken additional times for general elective credit only.
BIL 381
Workshop Leaders in Biology I
BIL 382
Workshop Leaders in Biology II
BIL 481
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Training in Biology
BIL 482
PRISM Teaching Fellow
Chemistry
Three semesters (16 credits) of chemistry are required for the biology major.16
CHM 121
& CHM 113
Principles of Chemistry
and Chemistry Laboratory I
CHM 221
& CHM 205
Introduction to Structure and Dynamics
and Chemical Dynamics Laboratory
CHM 222
& CHM 206
Organic Reactions and Synthesis
and Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory
Biochemistry
BMB 401Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences4
Statistics or Computer Language/Programming
Select one statistics or one computer language/programming course from the following. This will fulfill the mathematics/statistics/computer programming requirement under the College of Arts and Sciences General degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science. 3-4
BIL 511
Advanced Biostatistics
ECS 204
Environmental Statistics
MSC 204
Environmental Statistics
MTH 224
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
PSY 291
Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics
PSY 292
Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics Section B
CSC 120
Computer Programming I
Physics
Select one of the following Options:10-11
Option One:
PHY 101
& PHY 106
College Physics I
and College Physics Laboratory I
PHY 102
& PHY 108
College Physics II
and College Physics Laboratory II
Option Two:
PHY 201
& PHY 106
University Physics I for the Sciences
and College Physics Laboratory I
PHY 202
& PHY 108
University Physics II for the Sciences
and College Physics Laboratory II
Option Three:
PHY 211
& PHY 106
University Physics I for PRISM
and College Physics Laboratory I
PHY 212
& PHY 108
University Physics II for PRISM
and College Physics Laboratory II
Option Four:
PHY 221
University Physics I
PHY 222
& PHY 224
University Physics II
and University Physics II Lab
PHY 223
& PHY 225
University Physics III
and University Physics III Lab
Minor1-16
Total credit hours for the minor will vary by department.
The CHM requirement for the BS in biology fulfills either 12 or 15 (depending on which option is selected) of the 16 credits necessary for the minor in Chemistry. To complete the minor in Chemistry, only 1-4 additional credits in CHM are required beyond those necessary for the BS in Biology.
General Education Requirements
Written Communication Skills:
WRS 105First-Year Writing I3
ENG 106Writing About Literature and Culture3
or WRS 106 First-Year Writing II
or WRS 107 First-Year Writing II: STEM
Quantitative Skills:
MTH 161Calculus I4
Areas of Knowledge:
Arts and Humanities Cognate9
People and Society Cognate9
STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
Additional Required Courses
MTH 162Calculus II4
Language, one 200-level course3
Electives17-27
Total Credit Hours120-121

Curriculum Requirements: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Track

Biology Core Courses
Two semesters of introductory biology plus labs are required, usually taken in the first year:
BIL 150General Biology4
BIL 151General Biology Laboratory1
or BIL 153 Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory I
BIL 160Evolution and Biodiversity4
BIL 161Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory1
or BIL 163 Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory II
BIL 250Genetics3
BIL 255Cellular and Molecular Biology3
BIL 360Comparative Physiology3
BIL 320Evolutionary Biology3
or BIL 330 Ecology
Additional BIL electives
Two of the following:6
BIL 268
Neurobiology
BIL 354
Biology of Viruses
BIL 365
Endocrinology
BIL 369
Biology of Aging
BIL 450
The Biology of Symbiosis
BIL 455
Developmental Biology
BIL 467
Biology of Cancer
BIL 468
Developmental Neuroscience
Or other, approved MCDB-related courses
Other BIL electives6
Two lab/field courses (BIL 495, BIL 496, or BIL 497 can count for one). At least one needs to be:
BIL 251
Genetics Laboratory
BIL 256
Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory
BIL 351
Molecular Genetics Laboratory
At least three credit hours of BIL electives must be at the 400-level or higher
At least one BIL elective must be a CAPSTONE course. Capstone courses can be located in Class Search under "Additional Search Criteria", subheading "Class Attributes". All seminars in Biology (BIL 374, BIL 375 and BIL 402) are capstones.
Up to eight credit hours toward the major may be selected from courses with a biological topic and numbered 300 or higher in MBE, MES, MSC, or OCE.
A maximum of two credit hours of the following may be applied towards the major
BIL 371
Readings in Biology
BIL 372
Readings in Biology
A maximum of six credit hours of the following may be applied towards the major. (Only one of these may be counted towards the lab/field course requirement.)
BIL 495
Projects in Biology
BIL 496
Projects in Biology
BIL 497
Projects in Biology
A maximum of three total credit hours from the following courses may be applied towards the major. Any course in this list may be taken only once to count towards the major. However, these courses may be taken additional times for general elective credit only.
BIL 381
Workshop Leaders in Biology I
BIL 382
Workshop Leaders in Biology II
BIL 481
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Training in Biology
BIL 482
PRISM Teaching Fellow
Chemistry
Three semesters (16 credits) of chemistry are required for the biology major.16
CHM 121
& CHM 113
Principles of Chemistry
and Chemistry Laboratory I
CHM 221
& CHM 205
Introduction to Structure and Dynamics
and Chemical Dynamics Laboratory
CHM 222
& CHM 206
Organic Reactions and Synthesis
and Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory
Biochemistry
BMB 401Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences4
Statistics or Computer Language/Programming
Select one statistics or one computer language/programming course from the following. This will fulfill the mathematics/statistics/computer programming requirement under the College of Arts and Sciences General degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science. 3-4
BIL 511
Advanced Biostatistics
ECS 204
Environmental Statistics
MSC 204
Environmental Statistics
MTH 224
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
PSY 291
Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics
PSY 292
Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics Section B
CSC 120
Computer Programming I
Physics
Select one of the following Options:10-11
Option One:
PHY 101
& PHY 106
College Physics I
and College Physics Laboratory I
PHY 102
& PHY 108
College Physics II
and College Physics Laboratory II
Option Two:
PHY 201
& PHY 106
University Physics I for the Sciences
and College Physics Laboratory I
PHY 202
& PHY 108
University Physics II for the Sciences
and College Physics Laboratory II
Option Three:
PHY 211
& PHY 106
University Physics I for PRISM
and College Physics Laboratory I
PHY 212
& PHY 108
University Physics II for PRISM
and College Physics Laboratory II
Option Four:
PHY 221
University Physics I
PHY 222
& PHY 224
University Physics II
and University Physics II Lab
PHY 223
& PHY 225
University Physics III
and University Physics III Lab
Minor1-16
Total credit hours for the minor will vary by department.
The CHM requirement for the BS in biology fulfills either 12 or 15 (depending on which option is selected) of the 16 credits necessary for the minor in Chemistry. To complete the minor in Chemistry, only 1-4 additional credits in CHM are required beyond those necessary for the BS in Biology.
General Education Requirements
Written Communication Skills:
WRS 105First-Year Writing I3
ENG 106Writing About Literature and Culture3
or WRS 106 First-Year Writing II
or WRS 107 First-Year Writing II: STEM
Quantitative Skills:
MTH 161Calculus I4
Areas of Knowledge:
Arts and Humanities Cognate9
People and Society Cognate9
STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
Additional Required Courses
MTH 162Calculus II4
Language, one 200-level course3
Electives17-27
Total Credit Hours120-121

Curriculum Requirements: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Track 

Biology Core Courses
Two semesters of introductory biology plus labs are required, usually taken in the first year:
BIL 150General Biology4
BIL 151General Biology Laboratory1
or BIL 153 Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory I
BIL 160Evolution and Biodiversity4
BIL 161Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory1
or BIL 163 Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory II
BIL 250Genetics3
BIL 320Evolutionary Biology3
BIL 330Ecology3
BIL 255Cellular and Molecular Biology3
or BIL 360 Comparative Physiology
Additional BIL electives
Four courses that represent diversity studies, conservation, animal behavior, ecology, or evolution. These might include:12
BIL 222
Plant Diversity
BIL 223
Plants and People
BIL 226
General Botany
BIL 261
High Altitude Biology and Medicine
BIL 322
Biology of Fungi
BIL 333
Conservation Biology
BIL 334
Biogeography and Conservation
BIL 340
Herpetology
BIL 354
Biology of Viruses
BIL 430
Tropical Ecology
BIL 441
Animal Behavior
BIL 450
The Biology of Symbiosis
BIL 551
Population Genetics and Genomics
BIL 556
Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics
UM Galapagos Program courses
Other approved EEB-eligible courses
Other BIL electives10
Three lab/field courses (BIL 495, BIL 496, or BIL 497 can count for one).
At least three credit hours of BIL electives must be at the 400-level or higher
At least one BIL elective must be a CAPSTONE course. Capstone courses can be located in Class Search under "Additional Search Criteria", subheading "Class Attributes". All seminars in Biology (BIL 374, BIL 375 and BIL 402) are capstones.
Up to eight credit hours toward the major may be selected from courses with a biological topic and numbered 300 or higher in MBE, MES, MSC, or OCE.
A maximum of two credit hours of the following may be applied towards the major
BIL 371
Readings in Biology
BIL 372
Readings in Biology
A maximum of six credit hours of the following may be applied towards the major. (Only one of these may be counted towards the lab/field course requirement.)
BIL 495
Projects in Biology
BIL 496
Projects in Biology
BIL 497
Projects in Biology
A maximum of three total credit hours from the following courses may be applied towards the major. Any course in this list may be taken only once to count towards the major. However, these courses may be taken additional times for general elective credit only.
BIL 381
Workshop Leaders in Biology I
BIL 382
Workshop Leaders in Biology II
BIL 481
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Training in Biology
BIL 482
PRISM Teaching Fellow
Chemistry
Two semesters (10 credits) of chemistry including labs are required.10
CHM 121
& CHM 113
Principles of Chemistry
and Chemistry Laboratory I
CHM 221
& CHM 205
Introduction to Structure and Dynamics
and Chemical Dynamics Laboratory
Statistics or Computer Language/Programming
Select one statistics or one computer language/programming course from the following. This will fulfill the mathematics/statistics/computer programming requirement under the College of Arts and Sciences General degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science. 3-4
BIL 511
Advanced Biostatistics
ECS 204
Environmental Statistics
MSC 204
Environmental Statistics
MTH 224
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
PSY 291
Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics
PSY 292
Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics Section B
CSC 120
Computer Programming I
Physics
Select one of the following:5
PHY 101
& PHY 106
College Physics I
and College Physics Laboratory I
PHY 201
& PHY 106
University Physics I for the Sciences
and College Physics Laboratory I
PHY 211
& PHY 106
University Physics I for PRISM
and College Physics Laboratory I
Minor1-16
Total credit hours for the minor will vary by department.
The CHM requirement for the BS in biology fulfills either 12 or 15 (depending on which option is selected) of the 16 credits necessary for the minor in Chemistry. To complete the minor in Chemistry, only 1-4 additional credits in CHM are required beyond those necessary for the BS in Biology.
General Education Requirements
Written Communication Skills:
WRS 105First-Year Writing I3
ENG 106Writing About Literature and Culture3
or WRS 106 First-Year Writing II
or WRS 107 First-Year Writing II: STEM
Quantitative Skills:
MTH 161Calculus I4
Areas of Knowledge:
Arts and Humanities Cognate9
People and Society Cognate9
STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
Additional Required Courses
MTH 162Calculus II4
Language, one 200-level course3
Electives22-28
Total Credit Hours120-121

Suggested Plan of Study: General Biology

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
BIL 150 General Biology 4
BIL 151 or 153 General Biology Laboratory
or Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory I
 1
CHM 121 Principles of Chemistry 4
CHM 113 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
MTH 161 Calculus I 4
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
BIL 160 Evolution and Biodiversity 4
BIL 161 or 163 Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory
or Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory II
 1
CHM 221 Introduction to Structure and Dynamics 4
CHM 205 Chemical Dynamics Laboratory 1
WRS 106, 107,
or ENG 106
 First-Year Writing II
or First-Year Writing II: STEM
or Writing About Literature and Culture
 3
MTH 162 Calculus II 4
 Credit Hours17
Year Two
Fall
BIL 250 or 255 Genetics
or Cellular and Molecular Biology
 3
CHM 222 Organic Reactions and Synthesis 4
CHM 206 Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory 2
Language 101 3
Statistics or Computer Science Course 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate Course 3
 Credit Hours18
Spring
BIL 250 or 255 Genetics
or Cellular and Molecular Biology
 3
BIL 330 or 320 Ecology
or Evolutionary Biology
 3
BIL 374, 375,
or 402
 Seminar in Biology
or Seminar in Biology
or Seminar in Biology
 1
BIL Lab (note: Some BIL labs are available for WRI credit. Check course listings for more information.) 1-2
Language 102 3
People and Society Cognate course 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours17-18
Year Three
Fall
BIL 250, 255,
or 360
 Genetics
or Cellular and Molecular Biology
or Comparative Physiology
 3
BIL 330 or 320 Ecology
or Evolutionary Biology
 3
PHY 101, 201,
or 211
 College Physics I
or University Physics I for the Sciences
or University Physics I for PRISM
 4
PHY 106 College Physics Laboratory I 1
People and Society Cognate course (WRI) 3
Language 2XX 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
Biology Lab/Field course 1-3
PHY 102, 202,
or 212
 College Physics II
or University Physics II for the Sciences
or University Physics II for PRISM
 4
PHY 108 College Physics Laboratory II 1
Arts and Humanities Cognate (WRI) 3
Elective 6
 Credit Hours15-17
Year Four
Fall
BIL Elective 3
Biology Lab/Field course 1-3
BIL Elective 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate 3
Elective (WRI) 3
BIL 375, 374,
or 402
 Seminar in Biology
or Seminar in Biology
or Seminar in Biology
 1
 Credit Hours14-16
Spring
BIL Elective 3
BIL Elective 1
Elective (WRI) 3
People and Society Cognate 3
Elective 1-3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours14-16
 Total Credit Hours129-136

Suggested Plan of Study: Pre-Health Track Suggested Plan of Study 

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
BIL 150 General Biology 4
BIL 151 or 153 General Biology Laboratory
or Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory I
 1
CHM 121 Principles of Chemistry 4
CHM 113 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
MTH 161 Calculus I 4
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
BIL 160 Evolution and Biodiversity 4
BIL 161 or 163 Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory
or Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory II
 1
CHM 221 Introduction to Structure and Dynamics 4
CHM 205 Chemical Dynamics Laboratory 1
WRS 106, 107,
or ENG 106
 First-Year Writing II
or First-Year Writing II: STEM
or Writing About Literature and Culture
 3
MTH 162 Calculus II 4
 Credit Hours17
Year Two
Fall
BIL 250 or 255 Genetics
or Cellular and Molecular Biology
 3
CHM 222 Organic Reactions and Synthesis 4
CHM 206 Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory 2
Language 101 3
Statistics or Computer Science Course 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate Course 3
 Credit Hours18
Spring
BIL 250 or 255 Genetics
or Cellular and Molecular Biology
 3
BIL 330 or 320 Ecology
or Evolutionary Biology
 3
BIL 374, 375,
or 402
 Seminar in Biology
or Seminar in Biology
or Seminar in Biology
 1
BIL Lab with an MCDB focus (e.g. BIL 251, 256, or 351; note: Some BIL labs are available for WRI credit. Check course listings for more information.) 1-2
Language 102 3
People and Society Cognate course 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours17-18
Year Three
Fall
BIL 360 Comparative Physiology 3
BMB 401 Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences 4
PHY 101, 201,
or 211
 College Physics I
or University Physics I for the Sciences
or University Physics I for PRISM
 4
PHY 106 College Physics Laboratory I 1
People and Society Cognate course (WRI) 3
Language 2XX 3
 Credit Hours18
Spring
Biology Lab/Field course 1-3
PHY 102, 202,
or 212
 College Physics II
or University Physics II for the Sciences
or University Physics II for PRISM
 4
PHY 108 College Physics Laboratory II 1
Arts and Humanities Cognate (WRI) 3
Elective 6
 Credit Hours15-17
Year Four
Fall
BIL Elective with an MCDB focus 3
Biology Lab/Field course 1-3
BIL Elective 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate 3
Elective (WRI) 3
BIL 375, 374,
or 402
 Seminar in Biology
or Seminar in Biology
or Seminar in Biology
 1
 Credit Hours14-16
Spring
BIL Elective with an MCDB focus 3
BIL Elective 1
Elective (WRI) 3
People and Society Cognate 3
Elective 1-3
 Credit Hours11-13
 Total Credit Hours127-134

Suggested Plan of Study: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) Track

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
BIL 150 General Biology 4
BIL 151 or 153 General Biology Laboratory
or Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory I
 1
CHM 121 Principles of Chemistry 4
CHM 113 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
MTH 161 Calculus I 4
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
BIL 160 Evolution and Biodiversity 4
BIL 161 or 163 Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory
or Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory II
 1
CHM 221 Introduction to Structure and Dynamics 4
CHM 205 Chemical Dynamics Laboratory 1
WRS 106, 107,
or ENG 106
 First-Year Writing II
or First-Year Writing II: STEM
or Writing About Literature and Culture
 3
MTH 162 Calculus II 4
 Credit Hours17
Year Two
Fall
BIL 250 Genetics 3
BIL 255 or 360 Cellular and Molecular Biology
or Comparative Physiology
 3
Language 101 3
Statistics or Computer Science Course 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate Course 3
BIL 374, 375,
or 402
 Seminar in Biology
or Seminar in Biology
or Seminar in Biology
 1
 Credit Hours16
Spring
BIL 330 or 320 Ecology
or Evolutionary Biology
 3
BIL Lab or field course (note: Some BIL labs are available for WRI credit. Check course listings for more information.) 1-3
Language 102 3
People and Society Cognate course 3
Elective 3
BIL elective with an EEB focus 3
 Credit Hours16-18
Year Three
Fall
BIL 330 or 320 Ecology
or Evolutionary Biology
 3
BIL Lab or field course (note: Some BIL labs are available for WRI credit. Check course listings for more information.) 1-3
PHY 101, 201,
or 211
 College Physics I
or University Physics I for the Sciences
or University Physics I for PRISM
 4
PHY 106 College Physics Laboratory I 1
People and Society Cognate course (WRI) 3
Language 2XX 3
 Credit Hours15-17
Spring
BIL 255 or 360 Cellular and Molecular Biology
or Comparative Physiology
 3
BIL Elective with an EEB focus 3
BIL Lab or field course (note: Some BIL labs are available for WRI credit. Check course listings for more information.) 1-3
Arts and Humanities Cognate (WRI) 3
Elective 6
 Credit Hours16-18
Year Four
Fall
BIL Elective with an EEB focus 3
Biology Lab/Field course 1-3
BIL Elective 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate 3
Elective (WRI) 3
BIL 375, 374,
or 402
 Seminar in Biology
or Seminar in Biology
or Seminar in Biology
 1
 Credit Hours14-16
Spring
BIL Elective with an EEB focus 3
BIL Elective 1
Elective (WRI) 3
People and Society Cognate 3
Elective 1-3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours14-16
 Total Credit Hours125-135

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will, through a required core of courses including laboratories, demonstrate a broad knowledge base in Biology.
  • Students will, through exposure to biological concepts, inquiry-based learning and biological research, develop the ability to think critically and to formulate and test hypotheses.
  • Students will, through courses intensive in research presentations, develop presentation skills sufficient to communicate scientific information to professional and public audiences.
  • Students will, through exposure to biological concepts, inquiry-based learning and biological research, develop the ability to think critically and understand proper application of the scientific method.