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Biology Major

 For details see the current academic catalog, the B.S. and B.A. checksheets, or talk with your advisor.

B.S. in Biology
Class of 2019 and later
15 units

B.A. in Biology
Class of 2019 and later
12 units

Biology (9 units):
3 Intro: BIOL 110, 180, and 190
2 Upper-level from Theme Group A
2 Upper-level from Theme Group B
1 Upper-level from Theme Group A or B
1 Capstone: BIOL 470, 480, or 496 info here

Theme Group courses must have
3 of the 5 at the 300-level or higher

Theme Group courses must have
3 of the 5 with a lab component

Biology (7 units):
3 Intro: BIOL 110, 180, and 190
2 Upper-level from Theme Group A 
2 Upper-level from Theme Group B 

Theme Group courses must have
2 of the 4 at the 300-level or higher

Theme Group courses must have
2 of the 4 with a lab component

Allied Courses (6 units):
2 Chemistry: CHEM 111/117 and 112/118
1 Physics: PHYS 102
1 Statistics: INQ/HNRS 240
1 Math: MATH 115
1 Final Math/Science unit *

Allied Courses (5 units):
2 Chemistry: CHEM 111/117 and 112/118
1 Physics: PHYS 102
1 Statistics: INQ/HNRS 240
1 Math: MATH 115

  • * The Final unit required for the B.S. degree may be chosen from the following Math/Science courses: any additional BIOL course in group A or B, any additional CHEM course (200-level or above), any additional PHYS course (104 or above), any additional MATH course (118 or above), any STAT course, any CPSC course, or any ENSC course (ENSC 265 requires approval of department).
  • Students should plan on completing BIOL 110, 180, 190, CHEM 111, 112, INQ 240, and MATH 115 by the end of sophomore year if possible. 
  • Each Special Topics course (BIOL 245, 246, 345, and 346) satisfies only one Theme Group requirement, as determined by the department. Ask your advisor which Theme Group a particular Special Topics course fits within
  • Courses not listed in either group (such as BIOL 106, 230, 350, 355, 450) may not be counted toward either degree, except in the case of BIOL 470 or 496, either of which meets a requirement of the B.S. degree.

Biology Theme-Group Courses

Theme group requirements are intended to ensure students' familiarity with the six themes on which the biology curriculum is founded while providing flexibility in tailoring their course-of-study to interest and preparation for postgraduate study or work. The Group A courses emphasize the themes of Evolution, Diversity, or Systems, while the Group B courses emphasize the themes of Information Flow, Energy and Matter Transformations, or Structure and Function Relationships. All upper-division BIOL courses will connect with all six themes to the extent and in the ways appropriate.

Group A Courses

BIOL 205 - General Ecology
BIOL 225 - History of Life
BIOL 235 - Microbiology
BIOL 240 - Algae & Fungi
BIOL 245 - Special Topics (as determined by the department)
BIOL 246 - Special Topics (as determined by the department)
BIOL 265 - Plant Diversity
BIOL 270 - Invertebrate Biology
BIOL 275 - Vertebrate Biology
BIOL 280 - Animal Biology
BIOL 290 - Parasitism
BIOL 300 - Aquatic Ecology
BIOL 320 - Systems Biology
BIOL 330 - Community Ecology
BIOL 335 - Biogeography and Systematics
BIOL 340 - Animal Behavior
BIOL 345 - Special Topics (as determined by the department)
BIOL 346 - Special Topics (as determined by the department)
BIOL 415 - Evolution

Group B Courses

BIOL 210 - Cell Biology
BIOL 245 - Special Topics (as determined by the department)
BIOL 246 - Special Topics (as determined by the department)
BIOL 260 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II
BIOL 305 - Principles of Physiology
BIOL 310 - Comparative Animal Physiology
BIOL 315 - Genetics
BIOL 345 - Special Topics (as determined by the department)
BIOL 346 - Special Topics (as determined by the department)
BIOL 365 - Plant Anatomy & Physiology
BIOL 370 - Immunology
BIOL 380 - Advanced Genetics
BIOL 400 - Molecular Biology
BIOL 410 - Genomics
BIOL 420 - Developmental Biology