The Biology Department Major and Minor Requirements


Required for the Biology Major

  1. Biology 110, 120, and 140
  2. Chemistry 115 and 116* or 119
  3. At least eight six-unit courses in biology numbered 200 or above, of which at least five must be laboratory courses
  4. Three units of the Recent Advances in Biology seminar course, preferably during the senior year

Required for the Biology Minor

  1. Biology 110, 120, and 140
  2. At least four six-unit courses in biology numbered 200 or above, of which at least two must be laboratory courses.
  3. C average in the minor

Required for the Interdisciplinary Major in the Natural Sciences in Biology and a Secondary Discipline

  1. Biology 110 and 120 or Biology 110 and 140
  2. Physics 150 and 160 or, with the permission of the secondary department, Physics 120 and 130
  3. Either
    a. Chemistry 115 and 116 or Chemistry 119 or equivalent* or
    b. Geology 110 (any section) and Geology 210, chosen to include the secondary discipline
  4. At least ten six-unit courses in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, geology, and physics) numbered 200 or above, with at least five in biology (of which at least three must be laboratory courses) and at least three in the secondary discipline in other departments
  5. Three units of the Recent Advances in Biology seminar course, preferably during the senior year

*Under unusual circumstances students may petition the department for modification of this requirement.