Major Requirements

View the 2016-2017 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.

Requirements for Departmental Major with B.S. in Biology

• BIOL1105 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
• BIOL1106 Introduction to Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
• BIOL2123 Genetics
• BIOL2131 Biochemistry
• BIOL2301 Experimental Biology Laboratory
• BIOL4160 Seminar

• CHEM1101 Principles of Chemistry I*+ And
  
• CHEM1102 Principles of Chemistry II*+ Or
• CHEM1103 Chemical Perspectives*+

• CHEM2101 Organic Chemistry I+

* Qualified students may replace CHEM1101 and CHEM1102 with CHEM1103
+Biology majors are approved to receive a passing grade of C- in CHEM1101, CHEM1102, CHEM1103, CHEM2101 and CHEM2102.

Electives:
Five biology electives, which include three with laboratory and two at the 3000-level, with or without a laboratory. Students must choose at least one from each of the two categories of biology electives. The remaining courses are chosen according to interest.

Category 1: Cellular/Molecular Electives

• BIOL2115 Determinants of Health and Disease
• BIOL2119 Current Topics in Biological Research
• BIOL2151 Marine Microbiology
• BIOL3103 Cell Biology
• BIOL3119 Immunology
• BIOL3125 Molecular Biology
• BIOL3127 Microbiology
• BIOL3132 Advanced Topics in Biochemistry
• BIOL3135 Cancer Biology
• BIOL4194/BIOL4195 Research Internships in the Natural Sciences I and II*

Category 2: Organismic/Systems Electives

• BIOL2105 Plant Biology
• BIOL2107 Ecology
• BIOL2113 Human Nutrition
• BIOL2135 Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIOL2137 Anatomy and Physiology II
• BIOL2201 Neurobiology
• BIOL3101 Analysis of Development
• BIOL3105 Endocrinology
• BIOL3137 Medical Neuroscience
• BIOL3151 Exercise Physiology with lab
• BIOL4194/BIOL4195 Research Internships in the Natural Sciences I and II*

*  BIOL4149 counts as a 3000-level bilogy laboratory elective for a B.S. in biology if the entire two-semester internship sequence (BIOL4194 and BIOL4195) is completed. The student's advisor determines the appropriate category for the internship. Students receive academic credit for the second internship course (BIOL4195), but it would not be counted as one of the 11 required biology courses.

Minor Requirements

View the 2016-2017 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.
Requirements for Minor in Biology
Five courses (no more than two at the 1000-level), such as:

• BIOL1105 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
• BIOL1106 Introduction to Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
• Any three biology courses except: BIOL3211, BIOL4160, BIOL4178, BIOL4194, BIOL4195 and BIOL4999

Learning Goals + Outcomes

At the completion of a degree from the Biology Department, the student will have:

• Understand fundamental concepts in biology
• Have the capacity to use and critically evaluate scientific knowledge
• Be able to collaborate with others to find insightful solutions to problems
• Appreciate how biology relates to important issues that affect society through ethical and moral awareness
• Have working knowledge of biological lab techniques, lab safety, experimental design and data analysis

Teacher Licensure Requirements

Teacher Licensure Requirements

Students seeking teacher licensure in biology must complete a major in biology, as well as complete required education courses and student teaching. Education requirements are available through the education department.

Students seeking Initial Licensure in Massachusetts must pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL).