Biology Major and Minor

Major Requirements: A year of General Biology (BIOL101 and 102 = 2.5 units), plus an additional six units of biology courses, with at least two units at the 300 or 400 level. Of the six additional units above General Biology, one unit may be independent research (either BIOL 381, 461, 489, or 490) and one unit may be a course without lab (MCR).  Half-unit biology offerings may also be used to fulfill these requirements. In addition to the biology course units, the major also requires a year of General Chemistry (CHEM 103 and 104, or the equivalent CHEM 105) and Statistics (MATH 113) or a year of Calculus (MATH 135 and 136).

Minor Requirements: A year of General Biology (BIOL 101 and 102 = 2.5 units), plus three additional units of biology courses. At least one unit of these courses must be at the 300 level. The course requirements cannot include units for independent research (BIOL 381, 461, 489, or 490), but may include one unit for a course without lab (MCR).

A year of General Biology (BIOL101 and 102 = 2.5 units),

Curriculum Overview: Biology comprises many subdisciplines directed toward the study of particular groups of organisms or processes. In addition, the biological sciences interface with many other fields to yield interdisciplinary areas such as biochemistry, environmental sciences, ethnobiology or paleontology. Because of this diversity, the department does not insist on a set pattern of courses that must be taken for the major or minor, but it does expect students to select courses that provide both breadth and depth. Just as students obtain a liberal education, biology majors are also advised to obtain a broad preparation in biology.

Below are courses grouped according to their primary level of organization. Although majors may wish to concentrate within one area, students are expected to take courses from each of the following areas:.

Cellular and Molecular Biology Courses

231. Microbiology.
245,246. Genetics.
250. Introduction to Cell Biology.
288. Introductory Neuroscience.
309. Biochemistry. (MCR)
333. Immunobiology.
387. Cellular Mechanisms of Memory. (MCR)
390. Research Methods in Electron Microscopy.
391. Research Methods in Scanning Electron Microscopy.
392. Research Methods in Confocal Microscopy.
394. Research Methods in Biochemistry.
395. Research Methods in Molecular Biology.
415. Advanced Biochemistry. (MCR)  

Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution Courses

209. Vertebrate Natural History.
215. Invertebrate Biology.
218. Orinithology
221. General Ecology.
224. Biology of Vascular Plants.
225. Mycology.
227. Mammalogy.
231. Microbiology.
258. Ethnobotany.
319. Plant Systematics.
330. Ecology of Lakes and Rivers.
335. Winter Ecology
343. Evolution.
357. Behavioral Ecology.
360. Marine Ecology.
380. Tropical Ecology. (MCR)
440. Conservation Biology.

Physiology and Health Related Courses

240. Human Anatomy and Physiology.
247. Comparative Animal Physiology.
247. Human Disease. (MCR)
270. Endocrinology.
347. Human Nutrition. (MCR)
348. Biology of Cancer. (MCR)
326. Animal Physiology.
388. Drugs and the Brain.
389. Advanced Neuroscience.