Biology NEW Curriculum FAQ

The Biology Department is introducing updated biology ‘concentrations’ with expanded elective options beginning in 2025-26. Our new curriculum includes a logically structured core to provide students with a broad foundation in biology, greater flexibility in upper-division course requirements, and a more efficient pathway to graduation by requiring fewer credits to complete the degree.

An overview of the changes are available on this page in the University Catalog.  

An overview of each biology major concentration and list of course requirements may be found on the Biology Degrees and Areas of Study page on the Biology Department website. Programs will populate in the Degree Works ‘what if’ feature in May.

Students are also encouraged to use the new Biology Advising Tool to explore course requirements and elective options for each program. Current students must enter their WWU login credentials to access this tool. 

Biology majors are required to select one concentration. While there is no longer a general biology major, upper-level course options in each concentration are now very flexible, allowing students to specialize in one area or take a more interdisciplinary route depending on the courses they choose.

Another option is the Biology, BA. This program gives students access to the same strong biology foundation as other biology majors followed by 13 elective credits. 

No. Existing majors are not required to switch and may remain declared in their current major program until completion.  

Yes. Students already declared in an existing biology ‘emphasis’ may still switch freely between current emphases but must do so before those programs are placed in moratorium for AY 2025-26. If you are thinking about switching to a different emphasis, you must complete the process by August 22, 2025.  

Yes. Students declared in an existing Biology ‘emphasis’ are encouraged to switch into one of the new concentrations beginning in Fall Quarter by submitting a Student Academic Declaration and Change Web Form to biologyadvising@wwu.edu.

Please note that switches cannot be completed until Fall Quarter 2025. Webforms submitted earlier than September 1, 2025 will be voided. 

Students recently admitted to the biology major should plan to complete the new biology core in the following sequence to ensure that all prerequisites are fulfilled.  Q1: BIOL 327, BIOL 340; Q2: BIOL 328, BIOL 321; Q3: BIOL 325, BIOL 432.

Existing majors that are further along in their programs should meet with their advisor to discuss upcoming changes in course prerequisites and how that may affect course planning.   

Yes. Students admitted into a new biology major concentration will be required to complete CHEM 351 at a minimum. Some concentration options require additional chemistry coursework.  

Existing majors that have previously completed CHEM 351 and 352 may switch into a new major concentration and apply the CHEM 352 course to their depth requirements.

CHEM 251 may not be applied to a biology major. 

Summer 2025 will be the last quarter that BIOL 323 is offered. Beginning in Fall 2025, this course will be replaced by two new courses – BIOL 327 and BIOL 328. Students recently admitted into a new biology major concentration must complete BIOL 327 and BIOL 328 as part of the new core.  

Existing biology majors declared in an emphasis who were not able to complete BIOL 323 before the course was cancelled must take BIOL 327 instead.

Existing biology majors who have previously completed BIOL 323 may switch into a new biology concentration and would not be required to complete BIOL 327 or 328.  

See chart below. There are several changes to course prerequisites for the biology core (BIOL 321, 325, 327, 328, 340, 432) but most of them will not be enforced during the 2025-26 year while majors adjust to completing these courses in the new sequence. Full prerequisite information will still be visible wherever the course information is displayed, but the registration system will not enforce the prerequisite.  

No. Students must be formally admitted into the biology major before registering for any 300 or 400-level biology course.  

Existing biology majors in an emphasis and new biology majors in a concentration will have access to all biology courses that are listed as a core requirement or depth requirement option for their specific program. Elective options or courses outside of the biology department may require an instructor override. Students and their advisors using Browse Classes should review the 'restrictions' tab within course details to verify which majors have registration access to a specific course. 

Students declared in the biology pre-major or major are assigned to a faculty advisor and should contact their advisor directly to request an advising meeting. You are also welcome to send questions to biologyadvising@wwu.edu, schedule an appointment with one of the staff advisors, or attend drop-in advising during registration.