B.S. Biology
Biology is the study of all living things – how they reproduce, grow, and evolve and how they relate to each other and to their environment. Biologists examine the chemical and cellular basis of life and life's many levels of organization, from molecular to ecosystem. They also study inheritance, molecular genetics, the biology of populations, behavior, the flow of energy in living systems, and evolutionary and ecological relationships.
Bachelor of Science in Biology: Major Requirements
This web page is only a guide. You should always consult with an advisor when making academic plans.
Want to learn more? Please contact the Science Programs front desk for more information or to make an advising appointment at 360-546-9620 or by email.
Degree Plan for Bachelor of Science in Biology
First Year | |||
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Fall Term | Spring Term | ||
Biol 106 [B]: Intro Biology: Organismal Biology | 4 | Biol 107 [B]: Cell Biology and Genetics | 4 |
Chem 105 [P]: Principles of Chemistry I1 | 4 | Chem 106 [P]: Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
Engl 101 [W]: Intro Writing | 3 | Math 140 [N]: Calculus for Life Scientists | 4 |
Intercultural [I, G, K] | 3 | Communications Proficiency [C,W] | 3 |
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Total Credits | 14 | Total Credits | 15 |
Second Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Fall Term | Spring Term | ||
Biol 301: Genetics | 4 | Arts & Humanities [H,G] | 3 |
Chem 345: Organic Chemistry | 4 | Gen Ed 111 [A]: World Civilizations II | 3 |
Biology elective2 | 4 | American Diversity [D]3 | 3 |
Gen Ed 110 [A]: World Civilizations I | 3 | Biology elective | 4 |
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| General Elective4 | 3 |
Total Credits | 15 | Total Credits | 16 |
Third Year | |||
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Fall Term | Spring Term | ||
Biol 372 [M]: General Ecology | 4 | Arts & Humanities [H,G], or Social Sciences [S,K] | 6 |
Stat 412: Biometry, Stat 212: Statistics or Psych 311: Elementary Statistics in Psychology | 3/4 | MBioS 303: Introductory Biochemistry | 4 |
Phys 101 [P]: General Physics I or Phys 201 [P]: Physics for Scientists and Engineers I | 4 | Phys 102 [P]: General Physics II or Phys 202 [P]: Physics for Scientists and Engineers I | 4 |
Arts & Humanities [H, G] | 3 | Tier III Course [T] | 3 |
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Total Credits | 14/15 | Total Credits | 17 |
Fourth Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Fall Term | Spring Term | ||
Social Sciences [S,K] | 3 | Arts & Humanities [H,G], or Social Sciences [S,K] | 6 |
Biology elective | 3 | Biology elective | 3 |
MBioS 401: Cell Biology | 3 | Biol 403: Evolution | 3 |
General Electives | 6 | Writing in the Major [M] | 2 |
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Total Credits | 15 | Total Credits | 14 |
1 Math 107 or concurrent enrollment c// is the prerequisite for Chem 105. Math 107 is also the prerequisite for Math 140.
2 The BS in Biology requires the completion of 14 credits of electives. Courses that fulfill this requirement include any 300 or 400 level course with the prefix Biol or MBioS. Courses with certain other prefixes may also count in this category; see your advisor for details.
3 Recommend combining [D] with Humanities, Social Science or Tier III; choose one of those courses that is also designated as a [D].
4 General electives may be used to fulfill a minor or a certificate in another area.
Foreign Language: Each major must complete 8 hours in a modern foreign language unless he/she has completed two years in high school (or one year in high school and 4 hours of the same language at WSU Vancouver).
The university reserves the right to correct any errors on this degree plan. Consult with an advisor in your planning.
Washington State University Science Programs Advising: 360-546-9620