Biology, B.A.

The B.A. major in biology is designed to allow students to combine coursework in biology with classes towards a major or minor in a liberal arts field, business, or education. It is appropriate for students preparing for admission to doctoral or master’s degree programs in physical therapy, hospital administration, and genetic counseling; it can also be used to meet admission requirements for programs in occupational therapy, optometry, environmental law, scientific illustration, public health, and science communication, among many other possibilities. The degree program requires 120 credit hours.

University Core Curriculum Requirements — 40 credit hours

All University of Portland students progress through a set of shared course options as part of the University’s liberal arts Core Curriculum. This curriculum offers a foundation of multiple lenses to address enduring questions of human concern, integrating the liberal arts, the University mission, and the knowledge, skills, and values needed in a diverse society and in the workplace.

See Core Curriculum Requirements

Two of the three core requirements in the Scientific and Quantitative Literacy and Problem Solving Habit are satisfied by the mathematics and science requirements within the major.

BIO 277/278 and the Capstone courses are the designated Writing in the Discipline courses for the B.A. in Biology.

College of Arts and Sciences B.A. Requirements — 24-33 credit hours

See College Requirements, B.A.

Major Requirements – 34-35 credit hours

Required Courses — 19-20 credit hours

BIO 207Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology

3

BIO 277Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology Lab

1

BIO 208Introduction to Evolution and Ecology

3

BIO 278Introduction to Evolution and Ecology Lab

1

CHM 207General Chemistry I

3

CHM 277General Chemistry I Lab

1

CHM 208General Chemistry II

3

CHM 278General Chemistry II Lab

1

MTH 161Elementary Statistics

3

Or

MTH 201Calculus I

4

At least three upper-division biology labs with corresponding lectures - 12 credit hours

Select one lab with corresponding 3-credit hour lecture from each content area and organizational level.

Molecule and Cell Labs

Select one course from the following:
BIO 333Genetics Lab

1

BIO 361Microbiology Lab

1

BIO 372Cell and Molecular Biology Lab

1

BIO 470Immunology Lab

1

Organismal labs

Select one course from the following:
BIO 365Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab 1

1

BIO 366Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab 2

1

BIO 376Developmental Biology Lab

1

Population/System labs

Select one course from the following:
BIO 323Entomology Lab

1

BIO 343Ecology Lab

1

BIO 350Plants and Civilization Lab

1

BIO 358Mammal Behavior and Conservation Lab

1

BIO 362Ornithology Lab

1

BIO 371Field Botany

1

BIO 373Freshwater Ecology Lab

1

BIO 374Wetlands Ecology Lab

1

BIO 375Vertebrate Biology Lab

1

Capstone - 3 credit hours

Select one course from the following:
BIO 405Ecology, Evolution, and Culture of East Africa

3

BIO 410Advances in Biomedical Science

3

BIO 418Biology of Exercise

3

BIO 440Advances in Ecology

3

BIO 453Evolution

3

BIO 497Internship

Variable

BIO 493, BIO 499, or 497 internships from outside Biology may fulfill the capstone requirement with pre-approval of the department chair.

 

Upper-division biology electives - 12 credit hours

A maximum of six non-classroom credit hours (from BIO 397/493/497/499) may be used for completion of the major. A maximum of three upper-division electives in BIO 397 or 497 may be Pass/No Pass for completion of the major.

Any additional credit hours required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours

Total Credit Hours: 120