Undergraduate programs

The biology program is designed to prepare students for careers in biological research, development, teaching, and in health sciences, nursing, biotechnology, conservation biology and wildlife management, forestry, and other applied fields. It also provides the necessary background for advanced study leading to graduate degrees in the more specialized fields of the biological sciences.

A student planning to enter medicine, dentistry, or other professional fields should consult the catalog of the professional school to which the student intends to apply following pre-professional work in biology and other sciences at Portland State. Biology is also a teaching endorsement area in the program of secondary education.

Degree Maps and Learning Outcomes

Admission requirements

Biology B.A./B.S.

Biology Minor

Secondary Education

Biology Minor

Requirements

To earn a minor in biology, a student must complete at least 27 ­credits in Biology (at least 9 credits of which must be taken in residence at PSU). Courses must include three terms of science majors’ introductory biology with laboratory (BI 211/214, BI 212/215, BI 213/216) and at least one course from each of Areas A, B, and C.

Lower Division Biology Core

Enrollment requires concurrent enrollment in Ch 221 & Ch 227 or prior completion of Ch 221 & Ch 227

Bi 211Principles of Biology I

4

Bi 212Principles of Biology II

4

Bi 213Principles of Biology III

4

Bi 214Principles of Biology Lab I

1

Bi 215Principles of Biology Lab II

1

Bi 216Principles of Biology Lab III

1

Upper-division credits to include at least one course from each of the following three areas (12-15 credits)

Area A: Cellular/Molecular
Bi 334Molecular Biology

4

Bi 336Cell Biology

5

Bi 341Introduction to Genetics

4

Area B: Systems/Organisms
Bi 320Introduction to Organismal Physiology

4

Bi 330Introduction to Plant Biology

4

Bi 380Microbiology

4

Bi 386Invertebrate Zoology

6

Bi 387Vertebrate Zoology

6

Area C: Ecology/Evolution
Bi 357General Ecology

4

Bi 358Evolution

4

Total Credit Hours: 27-30

Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) cannot be used to fulfill biology minor requirements. Bi 401, Bi 404, Bi 405, Bi 406, and Bi 407 are not allowed for the minor. Additional courses may be required as prerequisites.