The Biology Major Requirements

Requirements for the biology major include at least 61 credits in biology and related science and mathematics courses. Since the prerequisites are significant, appropriate planning is important. Additional advisory information is available in the booklet "Biology at UMB," which is available in the department office. Biology Majors can subscribe to the department listserv at majordomo@mail.bio.umb.edu.

The requirements are described in two parts:

1. The biology "core" of required introductory and intermediate courses: 19 credits in biology and 22 credits in mathematics, physics and chemistry:
   • Biol 111 and 112 (General Biology I and II)
   • Chem 103 and 104 (Chemical Principles I and II)
   • Mathematics through at least one semester of calculus (Math 135 or Math 140).
   • Physics 107 and 108 (College Physics I and II), or Phys 113 and 114 (Fundamentals of Physics I and II)
   • Physics 181 and 182 (Introductory Physics Laboratory I and II)
   • Biol 210 (Cell Biology)
   • Biol 252 (Genetics)
   • Biol 290 (Population Biology)

   Note on timing: Prospective majors are strongly advised to start their major courses as early as possible. In the first year they should take Biol 111-112, Chem 103-104, and especially mathematics: for Biol 210 and 252 the math placement exam with a score placing into Math 115 or above is a prerequisite.

   In the second year take at least Biol 210 and Biol 252, which is a prerequisite for Biol 290. Accordingly, students planning to take courses in evolutionary biology for which Biol 290 is a prerequisite (Biol 342, 348, 352, for example) should take Biol 252 at the first opportunity, usually in the fall term, since Biol 290 is currently offered only in the spring term. Chem 253-254 (Organic Chemistry) is a pre/corequisite for courses in biochemistry and molecular biology and should be taken in the second year by students with those interests.

2. Additional Requirements: (Advanced Courses)

   Biology majors must complete 20 credit hours of biology courses at the 300 level or higher, including a minimum of four (4) credit hours in the laboratory. Up to eight of these required 20 credits may be taken in other departments, either Chemistry 253-254 (Organic Chemistry I and II), or with approval of the departmental chairperson, courses taken to complete the requirements of the Biobehavioral Studies Program. Biochemistry 383, 384, 385, or 386 may also be used to complete this requirement. The following courses may not be counted toward this requirement: BIOL 381, 478-479, 672-673.

The Biotechnology Track

Students in the biotechnology track must complete the biology major core of basic science courses at the introductory and intermediate levels. In addition, those in the biotechnology track must complete Organic Chemistry I and II. Advanced work focuses on techniques and areas of biology that are important in the biotechnology industry. All required biology and chemistry courses must be taken with a laboratory.

Required Courses

Basic Science Core (Introductory and Intermediate Courses):

• Biol 111 and 112 (General Biology I and II)
• Chem 103 and 104 (Chemical Principles I and II)
• Mathematics through at least one semester of calculus (Math 135 or Math 140).
• Phys 107 and 108 (College Physics I and II), or Phys 113 and 114 (Fundamentals of Physics I and II)
• Phys 181 and 182 (Introductory Physics Laboratory I and II)
• Biol 210 (Cell Biology)
• Biol 252 (Genetics)
• Biol 290 (Population Biology)
• Chem 253 and 254 (Organic Chemistry I and II)

Advanced Courses

• Biol 334 (Microbiology)
• Biol 378 (Introduction to Immunology)
• Biochm 383 (Biochemistry I)
• Biochm 385 (Biochemistry Lab I)
• Biol 370 (Molecular Biology)
• Biol 395 (Biotechnology)

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