- Introduction
- Degree Requirements
- BA Biology Degree Requirement Summary
- BS Biology Degree Requirement Summary
- BA Microbiology Degree Requirement Summary
- BS Microbiology Degree Requirement Summary
Introduction
The Department of Biology boasts four undergraduate degree programs: BA and BS in biology and BA and BS in microbiology.
Courses are offered in ecology, genetics, microbiology, cellular, developmental, environmental, and molecular biology. In addition, general coursework includes inorganic and organic chemistry and calculus, as well as courses in the humanities, social science, English composition and foreign language. Students may supplement their degrees with minors or certificates in areas such as business, environmental science, animal behavior, and psychology. Outstanding students are encouraged to fulfill the requirements for an honors degree.
Many of our graduates are admitted to medical school, dental school, or graduate programs. Two-thirds of the department's graduates are available for entry-level positions. The average GPA for all departmental graduates is 3.15. BS biology students have averaged 3.26. Each year at least 40 departmental graduates are elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
Degree Requirements
The information that follows is based on 2000-2002 degree requirements. If you matriculated at IU in another year, you may be held to different requirements. See your advisor.
BA Biology Degree Requirement Summary
Fundamental Skills Requirements
English Composition
Intensive Writing
Mathematics
Foreign Language - 4 semester sequence
Distribution Requirements
TOPICS course (may count as 1 of the
distribution courses listed below)
Arts & Humanities - 4 courses
Social & Historical Studies - 4 courses
Natural & Mathematical Sciences - 4 courses
Culture Studies Requirements
Culture Studies - 2 courses
Major Requirements
At least 25 hours in Biology to include:
BIOL L111 - Intro to Biology: Evolution & Diversity
BIOL L112 - Intro to Biology: Biological Mechanisms
BIOL L113 - Biology Lab
BIOL L211 - Molecular Biology
BIOL L311 - Genetics
BIOL L318 - Evolution
2 add'l 300-400 level biology lectures
2 add'l 300-400 level biology labs
Additional Major Requirements
CHEM C117 - Inorganic I
CHEM C106-C126 or C118 Inorganic II or N330 Intermediate Inorganic
CHEM C341 - Organic (or if you don't plan to attend a professional school you can substitute CHEM R340 Survey of Organic Chemistry)
MATH M118 or M119 or M211 or M215
TOTAL
UPPER-LEVEL HOURS - 36
TOTAL
CREDIT HOURS - 122
BS Biology Degree Requirement Summary
Fundamental Skills Requirements
English Composition
Intensive Writing
Mathematics
Foreign Language - 3 hours at the 200-level
Distribution Requirements
TOPICS course (may count as 1 of the
distribution courses listed below)
Arts & Humanities - 2 courses
Social & Historical Studies - 2 courses
Natural & Mathematical Sciences - 4 courses
(fulfilled by major)
Major Requirements
BIOL L111 - Intro to Biology: Evolution & Diversity
BIOL L112 - Intro to Biology: Biological Mechanisms
BIOL L113 - Biology Lab
BIOL L211 - Molecular Biology
BIOL L311 - Genetics
BIOL L318 - Evolution
3 add'l 300-400 level biology lectures
3 add'l 300-400 level biology labs
Additional Major Requirements
CHEM C117 - Inorganic I
CHEM C106-C126 or C118 Inorganic II or N330 Intermediate Inorganic
CHEM C341 - Organic I
CHEM C342 - Organic II
CHEM C343 - Organic I Lab
PHYS P201-P202 or P221-P222 - Physics I & II
MATH M119 & M120 or M211 or M215
PSY/MATH K300 or K310 - Statistics (through Psychology,
Math, or SPEA)
TOTAL
UPPER-LEVEL HOURS - 30
TOTAL
CREDIT HOURS - 122
BA Microbiology Degree Requirement Summary
Fundamental Skills Requirements
English Composition
Intensive Writing
Mathematics
Foreign Language - 4 semester sequence
Distribution Requirements
TOPICS course (may count as 1 of the
distribution courses listed below)
Arts & Humanities - 4 courses
Social & Historical Studies - 4 courses
Natural & Mathematical Sciences - 4 courses
Culture Studies Requirements
Culture Studies - 2 courses
Major Requirements
At least 25 hours in Biology to include:
BIOL L112 - Intro to Biology: Biological
Mechanisms
BIOL L113 - Biology Lab
BIOL L211 - Molecular Biology
BIOL M250-M255 - Microbiology
BIOL M350 - Microbial Physiology or BIOL L312
- Cell Biology
BIOL M440 - Medical Microbiology or BIOL M460
- Biology of the Procaryotes
BIOL M480 - Microbial & Molecular Genetics
2 lectures from: BIOL M430, M440, B351, L321
or M375
1 lab from: BIOL M360, M435, M445, M465, or M485
Additional Major Requirements
CHEM C117 - Inorganic I
CHEM C106 - C126 or C118 Inorganic II or N330 Intermediate Inorganic
CHEM C341 - Organic (or if you don't plan to attend a professional school you can substitute CHEM R340 Survey of Organic Chemistry)
MATH M119 or M211 or M215, or MATH or PSY K300, or CSCI A201 or C211
PHYS P201-P202 - Physics I & II
TOTAL
UPPER-LEVEL HOURS - 36
TOTAL
CREDIT HOURS - 122
BS Microbiology Degree Requirement Summary
Fundamental Skills Requirements
English Composition
Intensive Writing Mathematics
Foreign Language - 3 hours at the 200-level
Distribution Requirements
TOPICS course (may count as 1 of the distribution courses listed below)
Arts & Humanities - 2 courses
Social & Historical Studies - 2 courses
Natural & Mathematical Sciences - 4 courses (fulfilled by major)Major Requirements
BIOL L112 - Intro to Biology: Biological Mechanisms
BIOL L211 - Molecular Biology
BIOL M250-M255 – Microbiology Lecture and Lab
BIOL M350-M360 - Microbial Physiology Lecture and Lab
BIOL M480 - Microbial & Molecular Genetics Lecture
Two Labs from:
M435 – Virology
M445 - Medical Microbiology
M465 - Biology of the Prokaryotes
M485 - Microbial & Molecular Genetics
One Lecture from:
M430 – Virology
M440 – Medical Microbiology
M460 – Biology of the Prokaryotes
Two Lectures from:
M430 – Virology
M440 – Medical Microbiology
M460 – Biology of the Prokaryotes
M375 - Parasitology
B351 – Biology of Fungi
M416 - Molecular Biology of HIV
L321 - Immmunology
L312 – Cell Biology
T310 – Biotechnology
Additional Major Requirements
CHEM C117 - Inorganic I
CHEM C106-C126 or C118 Inorganic II or N330 Intermediate Inorganic
CHEM C341/C342 – Organic Chemistry Lectures
CHEM C343 - Organic lab
MATH M119 & M120 or M211 or M215
MATH or PSY K300 or K310 (through Math, Psychology, or SPEA)
PHYS P201-P202 or P221-P222 - Physics I & IITOTAL UPPER-LEVEL HOURS - 30
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS - 122
