Biology Degrees & Areas of Study

The Biomedical Sciences I (BMSI) concentration was designed to prepare students for health career training programs that do not require as much chemistry as offered in the Biomedical Sciences II concentration below. The Biomedical Sciences I concentration is anchored by either i) a pair of microbiology lecture and laboratory courses, or ii) a pair of anatomy and physiology courses. Based on the requirements of your prospective professional program, choose the paired concentration requirements and the recommended electives that best fit your needs. This concentration will prepare you for further training in the healthcare industry, and also provide a foundation for other careers in allied health and biology.

The Biomedical Sciences II (BMSII) concentration is built around a substantial foundation in organic chemistry and biochemistry, providing an excellent background for those interested in a chemical view of life. In fulfilling depth requirements, you may choose to add human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology, immunology, and/or other biomedically-relevant courses. Laboratory courses in microscopy, cell biology, and molecular biology will be of value if you are interested in experimental work.

The Ecology, Biodiversity, and Organismal Biology (EBOB) concentration provides a strong and broad foundational education in organismal diversity and how those organisms interact with their environment. This concentration is anchored by an ecology lab course that helps build skills in field-based research, data analysis, and scientific communication, preparing you for advanced coursework, and for conducting independent studies in faculty research labs. You will also take two additional courses associated with the EBOB concentration, including another 300- or 400-level lab. To round out your personalized curriculum in this concentration, you will choose additional courses in these and related topics, with guidance from your academic advisor. If you are interested in careers centered on field and lab research in ecology, conservation biology, resource management, and related areas, this concentration is a great starting point.

The Genes, Genomes, and Evolution (GGE) concentration provides a deep understanding of genetics and its fundamental role in shaping biological variation. Modern genetics spans all levels of biology, from uncovering how genes function at the molecular level to understanding the genetic architecture of medically important traits and deciphering the evolutionary forces shaping biological diversity. Advances in high-throughput sequencing have transformed genetics into a data-driven field, and this concentration will equip you with the analytical and computational skills needed for cutting-edge research. At the heart of the GGE concentration is a hands-on lab course focused on genetic analysis using model organisms.. You will also take two additional courses associated with the GGE concentration, including another upper-level lab, to further integrate genetics with other areas of biology. These courses emphasize data analysis and interpretation skills, preparing you for a range of career paths. By selecting from a diverse range of electives, you can develop expertise in key areas of biology while building skills in laboratory or field techniques and experimental design. This flexibility allows you to tailor your coursework to your specific interests and career goals.

The Marine Biology concentration provides a strong and broad foundational education in the lives of organisms inhabiting marine environments. The concentration is anchored by an ecology lab course that helps build skills in field-based research, data analysis, and scientific communication, preparing you for advanced coursework, and for conducting independent studies in faculty research labs. You will also take two additional courses associated with the Marine Biology concentration, including another 300- or 400-level lab. Because Marine Biology concentrates on a particular environment, rather than a type of organism or research sub-discipline, the kind of research questions that you will be equipped to ask by the time you graduate is bound only by your interests - from the ecology, physiology, or population genetics of marine organisms to the community ecology of a marine habitat.

The Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) concentration focuses upon the biological molecules that make up cells, their interactions, and how these molecular and cellular interactions underpin ecology, evolution, and development of organisms. This concentration is anchored by a course in techniques for isolating, manipulating, and analyzing DNA, preparing you for advanced coursework and for joining faculty research labs. You will also take two additional courses associated with the MCDB concentration, including another 300- or 400-level lab. You will build the rest of your personalized curriculum around your interests, with guidance from your academic advisor. Students interested in this concentration may wish to consider additional coursework in organic chemistry and biochemistry. This degree will prepare you for basic and applied research in molecular, cellular, and/or developmental biology, whether applied to biomedical, agricultural, environmental, or other questions in the life sciences.

The B.S. Biology – Secondary Education (SE) concentration will prepare you to become a high school teacher, where you can enjoy all those perks. At the same time, this concentration offers you the flexibility to pursue other careers in biology as well, by giving you access to the same strong biology foundation courses as all Biology majors. This concentration is anchored by two science education courses and an ecology lab course, followed by an upper-level biology lab of your choosing, and elective courses to complete 20 credits.