Biology

Undergraduate Study: Bachelor of Arts (BA), or Bachelor of Science (BS), or Minor in Biology

Academic Program

Biology is of fundamental importance in a science or liberal arts education, as it provides students with a keener insight into and a deeper appreciation of the many facets of living systems. The biology curricula are designed to provide students with a strong background in the principles of biology and with rigorous upper-division instruction in a number of basic areas. This combination of breadth and in-depth instruction allows students to develop the intellectual foundations and the skills necessary to deal with the specific biological concerns of today and the flexibility to meet the needs of the various professions. From this base, our graduates can pursue future specialization with confidence.

The Biology Program is a cooperative program whose faculty members are from the Biology Program and the Departments of Botany, Cell and Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biosciences and Biosystems Engineering, and Zoology. It provides an academic home to students who wish to pursue a broad training in the biological sciences. It offers a BA degree for pre-professional students, a BS degree with five specializations: cell and molecular biology, ecology/evolution/ conservation biology, marine/aquatic biology, organismic biology and general biology, and a minor in biology.

Major-Related Skills

In addition to discipline specific content, biology majors have the ability to:

apply scientific methodology and use scientific equipment.

organize and maintain accurate records.

analyze, problem solve, and make analogies proficiently.

compute numerically and conduct basic statistical analyses.

integrate ideas and concepts across biological disciplines.

design, conduct, and interpret scientific research.

make critical observations and evaluations, and apply the scientific approach to problems.

present results and conclusions verbally and in writing.

present information through the design and production of charts and graphs.

Declaring Biology as a major

Click here for a form-fillable major declaration form. Complete the first page of the Declaration of Major form and print two copies. Make an appointment with a faculty advisor in the Biology Department to discuss your interests, major requirements, and course selection. The advisor will complete the second page of the form. Two copies of the completed form should then be turned in to the service counter for Arts & Sciences Student Academic Services.

Click here for concurrent degree requests (i.e., between A&S and another college or different degree programs within A&S, such as concurrent BA and BS degrees).

Created by Lynne Higa, Michael Kirk-Kuwaye

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