Program of Study for the UST Biology Major (B.A.) 

The curriculum for a major in biology is divided into three tiers, offering increasing levels of challenge, greater emphasis on independent work, and more extensive use of literature reporting primary research.  All biology majors take an introductory seris of 14 credits (BIOL 201, 202, 204, and 206) in the first of these tiers.  These core courses cover the central concepts of modern biology and provide a foundation for more specialized study at higher levels.  The second tier courses (BIOL 301-399) build on this foundation and offer a broad range of topics at an intermediate level, including research (BIOL 391-392).  All third-tier courses (BIOL 401-498) require the completion of specific second-tier courses and involve advanced scholarship, independent research projects, and extensive use of the primary literature.

Course Requirements for the Biology Major (B.A.):

Core Courses:  (3 1/2 courses or 14 credits)

• BIOL 201  Diversity and Adaptation
• BIOL 202  Genetics and Population Biology
• BIOL 204  Cellular and Molecular Biology 
• BIOL 206  Global Ecology (2 credits)
  Note: the normal expectation is that students will complete BIOL 201, 202, 204, and 206 by the end of their sophomore year.

Elective Courses: (5 1/2 courses or 22 credits; four of which are numbered 400-498)

• BIOL 210  Introduction to Laboratory Research (2 credits; offered in J-term)
• BIOL 211  Introduction to Field Research (offered in J-term; taught in Costa Rica)
• BIOL 298  Topics
• BIOL 315  Biology of Plants
• BIOL 330  Animal Behavior
• BIOL 333  Ecology
• BIOL 349  Comparative Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIOL 350  Comparative Anatomy and Physiology II
• BIOL 353  Microscopic Anatomy
• BIOL 354  Neurobiology
• BIOL 356  Microbiology
• BIOL 360  Genetics
• BIOL 363  Immunology
• BIOL 365  Developmental Biology
• BIOL 371  Cell Biology
• BIOL 391, 392  Research (2 credits)
• BIOL 415  Plant Physiology and Adaptations to Stress
• BIOL 430  Behavioral Ecology
• BIOL 435  Aquatic Biology
• BIOL 462  Molecular Biology
• BIOL 471  Evolution
• BIOL 483, 484  Seminar (2 credits)
• BIOL 485, 486  Seminar
• BIOL 487, 488  Topics (2 credits)
• BIOL 489, 490  Topics
• BIOL 491, 492  Research (2 credits)
• BIOL 493, 494  Research
• BIOL 495, 496  Individual Study (2 credits)
• BIOL 497, 498  Individual Study
• CHEM 440  Biochemistry I (may be counted towards the Biology major as a 300-level elective)

Required Allied Courses:  (4 courses or 16 credits)

• CHEM 111  General Chemistry I
• CHEM 112  General Chemistry II
• CHEM 201  Organic Chemistry I
• QMCS 220  Statistics I   OR  MATH 303  Statistics for the Applied Sciences
  Note: Most Biology majors take QMCS 220

Elective Allied Courses:  (2 courses or 8 credits; selected in consultation with departmental adviser

• CHEM 202  Organic Chemistry II 
• MATH 109 or 113 Calculus with Review II or Calculus I
• PHYS 109 or 111  General Physics I or Introduction to Classical Physics I

Alternative course combinations to satisfy elective allied requirements may be proposed by majors for approval by the department chair.

Recommended Course Schedule

The following represents a recommended schedule for completing course requirements for the major in Biology.  Its purpose is to demonstrate an appropriate sequence in which courses might be taken. Elective courses that appear in parentheses are strongly recommended for students intending to apply to graduate school, medical school, and many other professional programs. It is strongly recommended that biology majors complete chemistry requirements by their sophomore year, and physics courses by their junior year.

Advising

The Biology Department strongly encourages students to consult our faculty and staff about the wide range of opportunities we provide for students to engage in biology outside the curriculum. These include study abroad, research with faculty and staff, and internships with local industry, hospitals, government, and private organizations. We also advise all our students on graduate programs and careers in biology and biologically-related fields in business and industry, the health professions, governmental and private organizations, and education. We encourage students to participate in biology seminars and other department experiences that highlight these opportunities.