Biology major leading to BA degree

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

A major in biology leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree consists of 37 credits in science and mathematics, with at least 27 credits in biology. The major must include the following:

BIOL 111 and 113, 340 or 340S; CHEM 110
Quantitative Biology: Choose two courses from: BIOL 301; CSCI 102, 121; INTR 202; MATH 101, 102; PSYC 250

Intermediate-level courses expand and focus students’ understanding of particular topics: Students must take one course from each of categories 3, 4 and 5, and must have two laboratory courses (indicated by *) chosen from course meeting categories 3, 4, 5 or 6.
Molecules and Cells: One course from BIOL 211* or 211S*, 215* or 215S*, 220, 223, 280*, 285* and, when appropriate, BIOL 297
Ecology and Evolution: One course from BIOL 210, 216*, 217*, 231*, 240* or 240S*, 241*, 242*, 243*, 245*, 270S*, ENV 212 and, when appropriate, BIOL 297
Structure and Function: One course from BIOL 225*, 250, 255, 260* or 260S*, 265*, 267 (ENGN 267), 282, 283 and, when appropriate, BIOL 297
Advanced-level courses provide the student with a greater depth of biological thought. Students must take at least two of the following:
BIOL 301, 310*, 321*, 322, 323*, 325*, 330*, 332*, 350, 355*, 360*, 362*, 365*, 385*, 395, 396, 397, 398
Completion of the Major Field Test (MFT) in biology

Research in Biology: BIOL 401-403 and 421-424 may be used towards the total credits required in biology. No more than four credit hours of work at the 400 level may apply toward the major. (BIOL 464 may not be used).

1. Required courses

BIOL 111 - Fundamentals of Biology 111
BIOL 113 - Biology Laboratory 113
BIOL 340 - Evolution 340
or
BIOL 340S - Evolutionary Biology at St. Andrews 340S *
CHEM 110 - General Chemistry 110

2. Quantitative Biology

Two courses from the following:

Intermediate-level courses

Intermediate-Level courses expand and focus students’ understanding of particular topics: Students must take one course from each of categories 3, 4 and 5, and must have two laboratory courses (indicated by *) chosen from course meeting categories 3, 4, 5 or 6.

3. Molecules and Cells

One course from the following:

BIOL 211 - Cell Biology 211 *
or
BIOL 211S - Cell Structure and Function at St. Andrews 211S *
BIOL 215 - Biochemistry of the Cell 215 *
or
BIOL 215S - Biochemistry at St. Andrews 215S *
BIOL 220 - Genetics 220
BIOL 223 - Virology 223
BIOL 280 - Neural Imaging 280 *
BIOL 285 - Introduction to Systems Biology 285 *
and, when appropriate,
BIOL 297 - Topics in Biology 297

4. Ecology and Evolution

One course from the following:

BIOL 210 - Human Parasitology 210
BIOL 216 - Tropical Ecology 216 *
BIOL 217 - Aquatic Ecology 217 *
BIOL 231 - Field Entomology 231 *
BIOL 240 - Zoology 240 *
or
BIOL 240S - Zoology at St. Andrews 240S *
BIOL 241 - Field Ornithology 241 *
BIOL 242 - Field Herpetology 242 *
BIOL 243 - Animal Behavior 243 *
BIOL 245 - Ecology 245 *
BIOL 270S - Comparative Biology at St. Andrews 270S *
ENV 212 - Land Use and Aquatic Ecosystems in the Chesapeake Watershed 212
and, when appropriate,
BIOL 297 - Topics in Biology 297

5. Structure and Function

One course from the following:

BIOL 225 - Medicinal Plant Biology 225 *
BIOL 250 - Vertebrate Endocrinology 250
BIOL 255 - Reproductive Physiology 255
BIOL 260 - Anatomy and Physiology 260 *
or
BIOL 260S - Human Systems Physiology at St. Andrews 260S *
BIOL 265 - Integrative Science Topic 265 *
BIOL 267 - Bioengineering and Bioinspired Design 267 (ENGN 267)
BIOL 282 - Dynamics of Biological Systems 282
BIOL 283 - Pregnancy: A KISS in Time? 283
and, when appropriate,
BIOL 297 - Topics in Biology 297

6. Advanced-level courses provide the student with a greater depth of biological thought.

Students must take at least two of the following:

7. Completion of the Major Field Test (MFT) in biology.

Research in Biology

BIOL 401-403 and 421-424 may be used towards the total credits required in biology. No more than four credit hours of work at the 400 level may apply toward the major. (BIOL 464 may not be used).