Biology Major

Required Biology Courses

• BIOL 181 - Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity and
  BIOL 181L
    
• BIOL 182 - Molecules, Cells, and Genes and
  BIOL 182L
    

• Both courses and their credit bearing laboratory components must be completed with a grade of C- or better.

Required Chemistry Courses

General Chemistry sequence:

• CHEM 101 - General Chemistry I and
  CHEM 101L
    
• CHEM 102 - General Chemistry II and
  CHEM 102L
    

•  

• or, if eligible, the following course may be substituted for the above sequence:

•  

• CHEM 111 - Chemical Principles and
  CHEM 111L
    

Process of Biology

One course with lab from the following list:

• BIOL 201 - Evolution and 
  BIOL 201L
     
• BIOL 202 - Genetics and 
  BIOL 202L
     
• BIOL 203 - Ecology and 
  BIOL 203L
     
• BIOL 204 - Molecular Biology and 
  BIOL 204L
     
• BIOL 205 - Cell Biology and 
  BIOL 205L
    
• BIOL 206 - Organismal Biology and 
  BIOL 206L
    

Five Electives

• One elective can be at any level.
• The four remaining electives must be numbered 300 or higher and two must have a lab component. 
• Research-based courses numbered 470 or higher may not count as electives toward the major. 
• GEOL 215
    also serves as an elective biology course.

Research Tutorial Experience

• A one-credit research experience, normally satisfied with a research tutorial (a course numbered BIOL 470-490).
• Research on the Bethesda Biomedical Research study group (BIOL 393 and BIOL 493) may be used to satisfy this requirement.
• UROPS courses taken at the National University of Singapore (NUS) may be used to satisfy this requirement.
• With prior approval by the biology department, a senior-level independent study course or capstone experience in another department may be used to fulfill the research requirement.

Honors and High Honors

Students interested in pursuing honors can find the additional requirements on the Biology  department page.