Biology, B.S.

The B.S. major in biology is designed to give students a rigorous and comprehensive background in biology, with additional supporting coursework in the physical sciences and mathematics. The program is suitable for either a terminal degree or as preparation for medical or dental schools, veterinary professional programs, or graduate study in the biological sciences. 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.

At least 10 credit hours of electives and/or Exploration Level courses in the University Core Curriculum must be upper-division courses.

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

College of Arts and Sciences B.S. Requirements — 6 credit hours

See College Requirements, B.S.

Major Requirements — 62-63 credit hours

Required Courses — 35-36 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

CHM 325Organic Chemistry I

3

CHM 326Organic Chemistry II

3

CHM 375Organic Chemistry I Lab

1

CHM 376Organic Chemistry II Lab

1

PHY 201College Physics I

3

PHY 202College Physics II

3

PHY 271College Physics Lab I

1

PHY 272College Physics Lab II

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 of 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 of 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 of 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 497IOTPT Internship

3

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

At least 10 credit hours of electives and/or Exploration Level courses in the University Core Curriculum must be upper-division courses.

Total Credit Hours: 120