The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective.
Biology - Pre-Physical Therapy / Pre-Occupational Therapy / Pre-Physician Assistant Option (120 Credits)
Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Biology must fulfill the University and the College of Arts and Sciences requirements for graduation as described in the WSU general catalog. Admission to the major requires 2.0 cumulative GPA at the college level.
Honors students complete honors requirements in place of UCORE requirements. The math and science components of those requirements are fulfilled as part of the School requirements described below. Other University requirements include: 120 total credits, of which 40 must be 300-400-level credits; the writing portfolio; and two writing in the major courses (identified by [M] in the course listings). The College of Arts and Sciences requires two years of high school foreign language or at least two semesters of college-level foreign language. Bachelor of Science degree options in Biology and Zoology require a minimum of 18 semester credits of core BIOLOGY (BioCore) courses (BIOLOGY 106, 107, 301, one from BIOLOGY 370 [M] or 372 [M], and one from BIOLOGY 305, 395, 403, or 405). An additional 21 semester credits of biological sciences coursework selected in consultation with your biology advisor is required. The 21 semester credits must include 15 upper division credits, six of which must be BIOLOGY courses taken in residence at WSU. Coursework must include one additional BIOLOGY writing in the major course (identified by [M] in the course listings) or ENGLISH 402 [M], and one BIOLOGY Capstone course (identified by the [CAPS] in the course listings. A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 must be maintained in all College and School requirements. A maximum of 4 credits of coursework that are graded S, F may be used toward fulfilling School requirements or program options, and no other courses taken S or P can be applied toward fulfilling School requirements or program options. Students must complete an exit survey. Students may not double major or take a minor in any combination of Biology, Zoology, General Studies Biological Sciences, or Human Biology.
Honors students complete honors requirements in place of UCORE requirements. The math and science components of those requirements are fulfilled as part of the School requirements described below. Other University requirements include: 120 total credits, of which 40 must be 300-400-level credits; the writing portfolio; and two writing in the major courses (identified by [M] in the course listings). The College of Arts and Sciences requires two years of high school foreign language or at least two semesters of college-level foreign language. Bachelor of Science degree options in Biology and Zoology require a minimum of 18 semester credits of core BIOLOGY (BioCore) courses (BIOLOGY 106, 107, 301, one from BIOLOGY 370 [M] or 372 [M], and one from BIOLOGY 305, 395, 403, or 405). An additional 21 semester credits of biological sciences coursework selected in consultation with your biology advisor is required. The 21 semester credits must include 15 upper division credits, six of which must be BIOLOGY courses taken in residence at WSU. Coursework must include one additional BIOLOGY writing in the major course (identified by [M] in the course listings) or ENGLISH 402 [M], and one BIOLOGY Capstone course (identified by the [CAPS] in the course listings. A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 must be maintained in all College and School requirements. A maximum of 4 credits of coursework that are graded S, F may be used toward fulfilling School requirements or program options, and no other courses taken S or P can be applied toward fulfilling School requirements or program options. Students must complete an exit survey. Students may not double major or take a minor in any combination of Biology, Zoology, General Studies Biological Sciences, or Human Biology.
First Year | |
First Term | Credits |
BIOLOGY 106 [BSCI] | 4 |
CHEM 105 [PSCI] | 4 |
ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
SOC 101 [SSCI] | 3 |
Second Term | Credits |
BIOLOGY 107 | 4 |
CHEM 106 | 4 |
HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
MATH 140 [QUAN] or 171 [QUAN] | 4 |
Second Year | |
First Term | Credits |
BIOLOGY 251 or 353 | 4 |
CHEM 345 | 4 |
Program Option Course1,2,3,4 | 3 |
PSYCH 105 | 3 |
Second Term | Credits |
BioCore5 | 3 or 4 |
PHIL 365 [HUM] | 3 |
PHYSICS 101 or 201 | 3 |
PHYSICS 111 or 211 | 1 |
STAT 212, 412, or PSYCH 311 | 3 or 4 |
Complete Writing Portfolio | |
Third Year | |
First Term | Credits |
BIOLOGY 315 or 354 | 4 |
Foreign Language, or Program Option Course1,2,3,4,6 | 3 or 4 |
PHYSICS 102 or 202 | 3 |
PHYSICS 112 or 212 | 1 |
Program Option Course1,2,3,4 | 2 - 4 |
PSYCH 333 | 3 |
Second Term | Credits |
Arts [ARTS] | 3 |
BioCore5 | 3 or 4 |
Program Option Course1,2,3,4 | 3 |
Foreign Language, or Electives6 | 8 |
Fourth Year | |
First Term | Credits |
ENGLISH 402 [WRTG] | 3 |
Equity and Justice [EQJS] | 3 |
Program Option Course, or Electives1,2,3,4 | 9 |
Second Term | Credits |
BioCore5 | 3 |
BIOLOGY Capstone [CAPS] [M] | 3 |
Diversity [DIVR] | 3 |
Program Option Course, or Electives1,2,3,4 | 7 |
Complete School of Biological Sciences Exit Survey |
Footnotes
1 | Pre-Occupational Therapy Program emphasis (13 credits) includes ANTH 203, BIOLOGY 220, BIOLOGY 393 [M], COM 102, H D 101. |
2 | Pre-Physical Therapy Program emphasis (8-9 credits) includes BIOLOGY 393 [M] or 490 [M], KINES 380 or BIOLOGY 350 or BIOLOGY 352, PSYCH 361 or H D 101. |
3 | Pre-Physician Assistant Program emphasis (14-15 credits) includes CHEM 370 or MBIOS 303, MBIOS 304 or 306, MBIOS 305, PSYCH 361 or H D 101. |
4 | Pre-Physical Therapy / Pre-Occupational Therapy / Pre-Physician Assistant Program emphasis courses should be selected in consultation with a biology advisor and include coursework to fulfill the University requirement of 40 upper division credits. Approved program electives include CHEM 370, KINES 380, MBIOS 303, 304, 305, 306, PHIL 365, and 200-400-level BIOLOGY courses except those used to fulfill core requirements, and any courses approved by advisor. |
5 | BioCore (10 credits required): BIOLOGY 301, one from BIOLOGY 370 [M] or 372 [M], and one from BIOLOGY 305, 395, 403, or 405. |
6 | Two years of high school foreign language or at least two semesters of college-level foreign language are required by the College of Arts and Sciences for graduation. |
- Biological Sciences
Courses
- Biology
- Electron Microscopy
- Science
Schedules of Studies
- Biology - Basic Medical Sciences
- Biology - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Option
- Biology - Education Option
- Biology - Entomology Option
- Biology - General Option
- Biology - Plant Biology Option
- Biology - Pre-Physical Therapy / Pre-Occupational Therapy / Pre-Physician Assistant Option
- Zoology - Accelerated Pre-Veterinary Option
- Zoology - General Option
- Zoology - Pre-Medicine/Pre-Dentistry Option
- Zoology - Pre-Veterinary/Animal Care Option
Minors
- Biology
- Zoology
Certificates
- Certificate in Quantitative Biology