Department of Biology

Bachelor's Degree in Biology

For students matriculating prior to Fall 2026

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

For students matriculating Fall 2026 and later

The Bachelor of Science degree provides a strong background in biology for all students.

Details for the requirements for the bachelor’s degree and the full lists of courses for each group are available in the University Bulletin.

Core biology courses

Taken by all Biology majors. BIOL 14, 15 and 16 can be taken in any order. 

Cells and Organisms, BIOL 15b (typically offered every semester)

Genetics and Genomics, BIOL 14a (typically offered every semester)

Evolution and Biodiversity, BIOL 16a (typically offered every fall)

General Biology Laboratory, BIOL 18b (offered in the fall, after taking BIOL 15b)

General Biology Laboratory, BIOL 18a (offered in the spring, after taking BIOL 18b and BIOL 14a)

Required chemistry courses 

For students matriculating prior to Fall 2026 (BA or BS):

General Chemistry I and II, CHEM 11a and 11b or CHEM 15a and 15b

General Chemistry Laboratory I and II, CHEM 18a and 18b or CHEM 19a and 19b

Organic Chemistry I and II, CHEM 25a and 25b

Organic Chemistry Laboratory I and II, CHEM 29a and 29b

For students matriculating Fall 2026 and later:

General Chemistry I and II, CHEM 11a and 11b or CHEM 15a and 15b

General Chemistry Laboratory I and II, CHEM 18a and 18b or CHEM 19a and 19b

Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 25a

One additional 4-credit course in Chemistry or Biochemistry

Biology electives 

For students matriculating prior to Fall 2026:

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)

For students matriculating Fall 2026 and later:

Bachelor of Science requires 16 credits of biology electives (four 4-credit courses)

Biology or general science electives

Eight credits of additional biology electives and/or any 4-credit courses from Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Biology, Engineering, Math, Physics. 

Quantitative electives

For students matriculating prior to Fall 2026:

Bachelor of Arts requires one quantitative elective. 

Bachelor of Science requires two quantitative electives. 

For students matriculating Fall 2026 and later:

Bachelor of Science requires two quantitative electives.

Physics

Only required for BS students matriculating prior to Fall 2026.

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