Choice of Biological Sciences Major

Some reasons for majoring in the biological sciences:

1. You will be prepared to select from a variety of professional careers such as academic research/teaching, medicine, dentistry, optometry, government or industrial research, or veterinary medicine.
2. You will receive a solid foundation in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics) which is strongly recommended by medical and dental schools and which serve as a basis for the human-oriented curriculum of such programs.
3. Following a core of cellular and molecular biology and genetics, you can select courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, histology, immunobiology, neurobiology and others. Important foundation courses for professionals.
4. You will have the opportunity to participate in, and receive credit for, research in the laboratory of one of our teaching/research faculty. Choose from areas of physiology, cell and molecular biology, neuroscience and others.
5. You can also elect to take such courses as pharmacology or pathology ... courses which normally are available only to students already in professional schools.
6. You will be able to choose from our experimentally-oriented laboratory courses where you will be exposed to problem solving, and interpretation of data in charts, tables and graphs. This is highly valued by admission committees and, incidentally, will be valuable for the MAT, DAT, GRE and other admissions exams which test for this ability.
7. Summer research opportunities, that include a stipend, are available to junior and senior biology majors. This type of independent study facilitates a life-long habit of self-education which is so valuable to health and science professionals.
8. While solidly educated in the sciences, course work in the humanities will help nurture the intellectual maturity and moral integrity everyone needs to face the challenges of an increasingly technology-oriented society.

FINALLY...

You will have many opportunities and decisions to make over the next few years. Always remember that there are many people willing to help you with decisions important to your academic success. Beginning with your biology faculty advisor who will help you plan your schedule of classes each semester and help you solve any problems you may encounter...

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The Office of Pre-professional Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences that will provide information on when to take the MCAT, DAT, and other exams; when and how to apply to professional schools; how to get recommendations and so forth. Good luck, work hard.

You have three different options, or areas, in which you may choose a biological sciences major:

1. The traditional major which consists of a core of courses that provides a solid foundation for any future biological studies a student may undertake, whether in graduate, medical, dental, or other professional program. This major consists of a "core" sequence consisting of BIOL 002 and 002 (General Biology), BIOL 090 (Principles of Biological Investigation), BIOL 100 (The Molecular Basis of Biology), BIOL 125 (Genetics), BIOL 135, (cell biology), and two upper division laboratories. Four biology courses of your choosing complete the major requirements. Cognate courses from other departments include CHEM 001 (General Chemistry), CHEM 023 and 024 (Organic Chemistry), Physics 001 and 002 (General Physics). This major, consisting of a sequence of natural science courses, is a common curriculum in medical, dental, chiropractic, and optometry programs. Please contact the department chair for more information.
2. The physiological science major is designed for students who have an interest in physiology and neurobiology. Students will gain a strong foundation in biology, cell biology, and biochemistry prior to pursuing studies in neurobiology, human physiology, anatomy, and muscle and exercise physiology. Three elective courses and the sequence of cognate requirements cited in #1 above complete the major. Contact Drs. Eddinger, Buchanan, Mynlieff, Fitts, Blumenthal or Wagner for more information.
3. The biochemistry/molecular biology major is particularly appropriate for students interested in graduate work in the areas of biochemistry and molecular biology as well as those preparing for research careers in medicine and dentistry. This major offers course work in the fundamentals of chemistry and biology that form the basis for the interdisciplinary science. It also provides laboratory training in biochemical research and a breadth of experience through electives in biolochemistry departments. Contact Drs. Munroe, Noel or Schläppi in the Biology Department, or Drs. Ryan or Sem in the Chemistry Department for more details.