Biology Major (BA) - Genetics, Molecular, and Cellular Biology Concentration

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Biology students may choose to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS). Students preparing for graduate or professional schools are strongly encouraged to pursue the BS degree. Students especially interested in a particular field of biology may decide to pursue a concentration. BA students may choose a concentration in Genetics, Molecular, and Cellular Biology or Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. BS students may choose a concentration in Genetics, Molecular, and Cellular Biology; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; or Public Health. Students should consult with a biology faculty member to determine what is most appropriate for their goals and whether adding a concentration to their biology major will be beneficial for their career path.

The Biology Program starts with a two-course sequence that provides an overview of the field of biology while emphasizing core concepts that apply across all subdisciplines within biology. In these introductory courses, students also learn how the findings of biological research are relevant to society and to the environment. After completing the two introductory courses, students then go on to explore different areas of biology through taking six elective courses.

Biology majors also gain understanding of basic theoretical and practical tools from completing coursework from allied sciences (e.g., mathematics, chemistry, physics), and learn about the importance of inclusion and equity in science through taking a Diversity, Equity, Ethics, and Inclusion (DEEI) course. Collaboration and research as a learning process is a pervasive theme of the biology major. Research projects designed and carried out by teams of students are a major part of the laboratory component for most of our courses. Although not required, the Biology department strongly encourages students to participate in Collaborative Research (BIOL 4010) either during the summer or during the regular academic year. Students are also encouraged to participate in an internship that introduces them to careers in the biological sciences, health sciences, industry, non-profits, or government agencies. During the junior and senior years, students participate in the biology seminar program, and in their senior year they give a presentation to students and faculty in the seminar about their own research.

Biology Major (BA) Core Requirements

Biology foundation:

General chemistry:

Statistics (choose one):

MATH 1200 - Statistics
QMBE 1310 - Statistics
Other approved course in statistics

Diversity, equity, ethics, and inclusion (choose one):

Writing intensive course (choose one):

ENG 3370 - Topics in Professional Writing (topic: environmental and science writing)
BIOL 3100 - Neurobiology (with Lab)

Biology seminar:

Senior capstone:

BIOL 5960 - Senior Capstone

Biology Electives

Six elective courses are required from the lists below. At least one course must be taken in each category and at least one 5000 level elective is required. Inquire with the Biology department chairperson about which category other upper-level Biology major courses may fit (for example, BIOL 3980 special topics).

Note: Some courses can count as electives for more than one category.

Biology of molecules and cells:

Biology of organisms:

Biology of populations and ecosystems:

Concentration in Genetics, Molecular, and Cellular Biology

The concentration is completed as part of the six-course elective requirement. Concentrations require four electives from one content area, with the two remaining electives from two other content areas.

For the concentration in Genetics, Molecular, and Cellular Biology, choose four courses from the list below, one elective from the Biology of Organisms content area, and one elective from the Biology of Populations and Ecosystems content area. Additional courses (e.g., BIOL 3980: Special Topics courses) may be used with the approval of the Biology Department chair.