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Changes to the Undergraduate Curriculum

Effective with the issuance of the 2017-18 catalog, the Department of Biology has added new and revised Biology concentrations to the traditional biology major. Details for each of our majors and concentrations are available from the links at left. Students have the option of changing to one of the new concentrations unless they are within 1 year of graduation, i.e. no changes can be made in the Senior year. Students should consult their advisor before making the decision to change concentrations

Writing intensive courses

Effective with the issuance of the 2016-17 catalog, the Department of Biology added a writing requirement to its majors. Students must complete one of the following courses that place an emphasis on writing. This course can be used to satisfy other curriculum requirements, as appropriate.

  • BIOL 307 - Field Techniques
  • BIOL 337 - Genetics of Human Diseases
  • BIOL 360 - Principles of Ecology
  • BIOL 370 - Special Topics in Biology
  • BIOL 407(G) - Environmental Toxicology
  • BIOL 409(G) - Plant Physiology Laboratory
  • BIOL 412(G) - Conservation Biology and Biodiversity
  • BIOL 424(G) - Neurobiology Laboratory
  • BIOL 433(G) - Plant Systematics and Biodiversity
  • BIOL 435 - Honors Histology
  • BIOL 440(G): Estuarine Ecology and Coastal Marine Biology
  • BIOL 441(G) - Limnology and Oceanography
  • BIOL 445(G) - Ichthyology
  • BIOL 485(G) - Marine Botany
  • BIOL 495 - Special Topics in Biology

With the issuance of the 2015-16 catalog the Department of Biology changed some of the requirements necessary to receive a degree in Biology (S117), Microbiology (S117-20) or Resource Biology and Biodiversity (S117-10). Students following requirements of an older catalog are entitled to switch to the new curriculum (unless you are currently a senior); however, if you choose to do so you must comply with all of the changes.

Please read carefully the following changes so that you make an informed decision. If you choose to move to the new curriculum inform your advisor during your next advising session.

The changes below apply to the S117 curriculum (most biology majors).

  1. BIOL 234 (Genetics and Evolution lab) is no longer a requirement.
  2. CHEM 234 (Organic Lab II) is no longer a requirement.
  3. Only one of PHYS 215 lab or PHYS 216 lab is required, not both.
  4. CHEM 317 (Biochemistry) is a new requirement.
  5. One of the following statistics courses is required: STAT 325, 417, or 427 (STAT 214 is not an acceptable substitute).
  6. A grade of C or higher must be earned in any BIOL course applied to your degree requirements.

The changes below apply to the S117-10 curriculum (Resource Biology and Biodiversity Concentration).

  1. BIOL 234 (Genetics and Evolution lab) is no longer a requirement.
  2. One of the following statistics courses is required: STAT 325, 417, or 427 (STAT 214 is not an acceptable substitute).
  3. A grade of C or higher must be earned in any BIOL course applied to your degree requirements.

The changes below apply to the S117-20 curriculum (Microbiology Concentration).

  1. BIOL 234 (Genetics and Evolution lab) is no longer a requirement.
  2. A grade of C or higher must be earned in any BIOL course applied to your degree requirements.