GENERAL BIOLOGY

General Biology has many of the same aims as Biology, but it is not recommended for students who wish to pursue graduate work in biology. It is an appropriate preprofessional concentration. It differs from Biology in that it requires fewer credits, less laboratory work, and has more breadth, particularly in the form of a non-science cognate course (see below).

Prerequisites to Concentration. BIOLOGY (162, or 163 or AP credit for BIO 162), or BIOLOGY (171, 172/174 and 173), or BIO (195 and 173); CHEM 210, 211, 215, and 216; MATH 115 and 116; PHYSICS 125/127 and 126/128, or PHYSICS 135/141 and 235/241, or PHYSICS 140/141 and 240/241.

Concentration Program. 27 credits in biology and cognate fields if the student elected BIO (162, or 163 or has AP credit for BIO 162). 24 credits* if the student elected BIO (171, 172/174 and 173) or BIO (195+ 173).
*pending the College Curriculum Committee's approval winter 2008

1. Required courses in genetics, biochemistry, and evolution:

(a) BIOLOGY 305;

(b) One of BIOLOGY 310, 311, BIOCHEM 415, or CHEM 451 and 452; and

(c) BIOLOGY 390.

2. Two laboratory or field courses in Biology at the 200-level or above (EEB 300 or 400, or MCDB 300 or 400, independent study, elected for a minimum of 3 credits, in a single term, may be used for one of the laboratory courses). Only three credits of any independent study course may count toward the concentration program.

3. Select at least one course from each of two groups I-II.

Courses which include a laboratory are marked with an asterisk (*).

I. Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology

· BIO 207* (4) Introductory Microbiology

· BIO 208 (3) Embryology

· BIO 222 (3) Introduction to Neurobiology

· BIO 225 (3) Animal Physiology

· BIO 230* (4) Introduction to Plant Biology

Note: Students taking BIOLOGY 225 also are encouraged to take BIOLOGY 226* - Animal Physiology Laboratory (2 credits).

II. Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology

· BIO 230* (4) Introduction to Plant Biology

· BIO 252* (4) Chordate Anatomy/Phylogeny

· BIO 255* (4) Plant Diversity

· BIO 281 (3) General Ecology

· BIO 288* (4) Animal Diversity

Note: Students taking BIOLOGY 281 are also encouraged to take BIOLOGY 282* - General Ecology Lab (3 credits).

4. One cognate course from the "General Biology Cognate List." This list, which is compiled by the Program in Biology Curriculum Committee, includes courses offered by non-natural science units that treat biology or natural science generally in the humanistic or social context. These are not science courses, but courses that treat science or scientific issues from a historical, cultural, ethical, or political perspective. A list of these may be obtained from the Program in Biology Office, 1111 Natural Science Building.

5. Select additional BIO, EEB or MCDB courses at the 200-level or above (except BIO 262 and 302; and EEB 302; and MCDB 302 and 412) to bring the concentration total to at least 27 or 24 credits (see above).

Students electing a concentration in General Biology may not double concentrate in Biology, Plant Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Neuroscience, Biochemistry, nor minor in Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology or Plant Biology.

General Biology Concentration Form

Below is the form outlining the General Biology concentration requirements. This worksheet is used by concentration advisors.

Concentration form in Adobe pdf format