Organismal Biology Major

Requirements for the Major

 BIOLOGY

• BIOL 043L KS - Introductory Biology
    and
  BIOL 044L KS - Introductory Biology
   , or
  BIOL 040L KS - Introduction to Biological Chemistry
    and
  BIOL 044L KS - Introductory Biology
    
• BIOL 120 KS - Research Tools in Organismal Biology  
• BIOL 175 KS - Applied Biostatistics  

CHEMISTRY

• CHEM 014L KS - Basic Principles of Chemistry  and CHEM 015L KS - Basic Principles of Chemistry , or CHEM 029L KS - Accelerated General Chemistry with Lab ,or CHEM 040L KS - Introduction to Biological Chemistry  and CHEM 015L KS - Basic Principles of Chemistry  

PHYSICS

• PHYS 030L KS - General Physics  and PHYS 031L KS - General Physics  

NOTE: Introductory biology, introductory chemistry, and introductory physics courses may be substituted by both semesters of the AISS course (AISS 001AL , AISS 001BL , AISS 002AL , AISS 002BL )

MATH

• MATH 030 SC - Calculus I  

ELECTIVES

• Six upper-division biology courses, including three with lab, at least one from each group AND at least three from Group 1 or Group 3. Other courses also may be appropriate to fulfill the group requirements, if approved in advance by the biology faculty

SENIOR THESIS

One- or two-semester thesis: BIOL191 KS  ,or BIOL188L KS  and BIOL190L KS , or  BIOL189L KS  and BIOL190L KS  .

Note:

Off-Campus Study courses at an advanced level may substitute for courses in Groups 1, 2, and 3; approved summer research experience may substitute for Off-Campus Study by prior arrangement.

Study Abroad is strongly recommended but not required.

Honors Requirements (All Tracks)

To be considered for departmental honors in one of the science majors, a student must:

• Achieve a minimum grade point average of 11.0 (A-) in courses in the major.  
• Achieve a minimum grade of A- on the thesis.
• Complete a one- or two-semester thesis project in which the student has demonstrated excellence by making a significant contribution to the progress of the research and by producing a thesis document judged to be of honors quality by the department.
• Present an oral progress report at the end of the first semester of a two-semester thesis and a poster at the conclusion of either a one- or two-semester thesis in which the student clearly explains the rationale for the project and the conclusions drawn, engages the listener, and knowledgeably answers questions.
• Attend at least six scientific seminars during the semester (each semester for a two-semester thesis) and submit a brief and clear summary of each.