College Schools, Departments & Programs

Biology

Major in Biology—B.A.
Purpose

The B.A. Major in Biology trains students in the major subject areas of biology while remaining the most flexible of all biology degrees offered. Minimal chemistry and mathematics requirements allow students to substitute a second major, such as computer science, chemistry, psychology, environmental studies or business. However, this degree will not automatically fulfill requirements for entrance to medical, dental, or optometry schools, or to most graduate programs in biology.

Required Courses

Students must complete the following coursework with a grade of C– or higher in each course:

  1. L111 Foundations of Biology: Diversity, Evolution, and Ecology (4 cr.), L112 Foundations of Biology: Biological Mechanisms (4 cr.), and L113 Biology Laboratory (3 cr.).
  2. L211 Molecular Biology (3 cr.).
  3. L311 Genetics (3 cr.).
  4. L318 Evolution (3 cr.).
  5. Two additional lecture courses at the 300 or 400 level (See the approved course list for Biology majors.) BIOL L322, X371, X473, and X490 do not count for lecture or laboratory credit.
  6. Two additional laboratory courses at the 300 or 400 level (See the approved course list for Biology majors.) BIOL L322, X371, X473, and X490 do not count for lecture or laboratory credit.
  7. One of the advanced lecture courses and one advanced laboratory (300 or 400 level) must be taken on the Bloomington campus.
  8. To fulfill College requirements for the B.A. degree, students must complete 18 credit hours in the major at the 300 level or above. For Biology B.A. majors, these 18 credit hours must include L311 (3 cr.), L318 (3 cr.), and either C341 or R340 (3 cr.). The remaining 9 upper-level credit hours must be chosen from the approved course list for Biology majors. 
  9. CHEM C117 and C341 or R340. Students planning to attend professional school will need CHEM-C 127 lab (preferably taken concurrently with CHEM-C 117) and should check to see what additional chemistry courses they will need.
  10. MATH M118 or M119 or V119 or M211 or an approved mathematics course.

Note: L111 and L112 can be taken in either order. L112 and CHEM C117 are prerequisites of L211, which is the prerequisite of L311 and L318. L111 is also a prerequisite of L318.

Consult with the Biology Undergraduate Advisors for a current list of approved lecture and laboratory classes.

Students must also meet the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, including Breadth of Inquiry.