Courses

The Department of Biological Sciences offers coursework leading to the Bachelors of Science degree, as well as graduate coursework leading to a Master of Arts or Master of Science in Biological Sciences. Our undergraduate program currently allows the student to select from six different concentrations, allowing the student to focus on the courses in their major area of interest. Each concentration gives a solid set of coursework in the foundation of biology, followed by electives chosen by the student based on their interests and career goals. The link on the sidebar provides suggested timelines for taking the courses in each of these concentrations.

If you are interested in current information on available Biology courses, please check with Campus Connection for current course information. If you do not have a password for Campus Connection you may log on as a guest. Once you are on Campus Connection please select Course Descriptions followed by the department. For course availability select search for classes and pick the appropriate quarter you wish to search.

For more information about the course requirements for our undergraduate program, and the elective courses currently available in the department, please consult our Student Guidebook which contains our current schedule of courses for 09-10. For more information about our graduate program, consult the Graduate Degrees section listed under Programs.

General Considerations

Liberal studies electives and general elective slots are flexible and can be switched around relatively freely as needed.

Mathematics Proficiency

If math skills are a particular problem (e.g. you are assessed in your initial mathematics placement test to take Math 101), you are strongly urged to use your elective slots in the first year for any pre-calculus math requirements, then take general chemistry and general biology in your second year.

AP credit from High School

Students generally get one quarter of General Biology course credit for a “3”, two for a “4”, and a full year for a “5” score on a Biology AP exam. For less than a full year’s credit, we suggest the student sit down with an academic advisor to determine, based on their high school curriculum, which quarter(s) are most appropriate for assigning the credit. We also encourage those students with strong backgrounds (e.g. “5” on the AP exams) to start their freshman year by taking the biology core courses if appropriate, allowing them to take additional biology electives in their senior year.