The Washington State University Tri-Cities Catalog

Biology - Basic Medical Sciences

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.

WARNING: The following information reflects a degree requirement which expired as of Summer 2024. Please click the appropriate link under "Degree Programs" on the right side of this page to view the currently effective requirements for this program. If a link to this program does not appear, the program may no longer be available, or may be available under a different academic unit. You can find past requirements under the appropriate archived catalog.

Biology - Basic Medical Sciences (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 completion of 24 semester credits and 2.0 GPA.

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 19 semester credits of core BIOLOGY courses (BIOLOGY 106, 107, 301, 370 [M] or 372 [M], and 395 or 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, one additional BIOLOGY writing in the major course (identified by [M] in the course listings), and one BIOLOGY Capstone course (identified by the [CAPS] in the course listings). An overall 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 TermCredits
BIOLOGY 106 [BSCI] or 107 [BSCI]14
CHEM 105 [PSCI]4
Diversity [DIVR]3
ENGLISH 101 [WRTG]3
Second TermCredits
BIOLOGY 106 or 10714
CHEM 1064
HISTORY 105 [ROOT]3
MATH 140 [QUAN] or 171 [QUAN]4
Second Year
First TermCredits
Arts [ARTS]3
BIOLOGY 3014
CHEM 3454
Electives2,34
Second TermCredits
BIOLOGY 370 [M] or 372 [M]14
CHEM 3484
Social Sciences [SSCI]3
Electives2,34
Complete Writing Portfolio
Third Year
First TermCredits
BIOLOGY 395, 403, or 40513
Communication [COMM] or Written Communication [WRTG]3
Program Option Elective43 or 4
Foreign Language or Electives2,3,54
Second TermCredits
CHEM 370 or MBIOS 30363 or 4
PHIL 365 [HUM]3
Program Option Elective43 or 4
Foreign Language or Electives2,3,54
Electives3
Fourth Year
First TermCredits
Equity and Justice [EQJS]3
Program Option Elective72 or 0
Electives2,312
Second TermCredits
BIOLOGY 473 [CAPS] [M], 483 [CAPS] [M], or 489 [CAPS] [M]83
Electives2,312

Footnotes
1BioCore (10 credits required): BIOLOGY 301, one from BIOLOGY 370 [M] or 372 [M], and one from BIOLOGY 305, 395, 403, or 405.
2Students are encouraged to pursue a minor in other areas of more in-depth science minor.
3Students should consult with their advisor for additional courses in Physics or Statistics that may be required for entrance to a graduate or professional program. Must include sufficient 300-400-level courses to meet University Requirement of 40 credits of upper division coursework.
4Program Option Courses (9 credits minimum required): Approved courses are BIOLOGY 251, 315, 321, 324, 333 350, 352, 353, 354, 393, 418; MBIOS 304, 305, 306, 401, 405, 413, 414, 423, 440, 442, 446; NEUROSCI 301, 403, 404, 430; PSYCH 372. Students should consult with their advisor as some professional schools require junior-level physiology or higher.
5Two 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.
6An elective may be substituted for PHYSICS 101/111 and 102/112 if it is not required for entrance to a graduate or professional program.
7Degree Program Electives (8 credits required): Approved courses are BIOLOGY 315, 321 [M], 324, 350, 352, 353, 393 [M], one from 395 or 403 or 405, 418 [M]; MBIOS 304, 305, 401, 413, 414, 423, 440, 442, 446; NEUROSCI 301, 403 [M], 404, and 430 [M].
8Students in Honors College complete HONORS 450 in lieu of a BIOLOGY [CAPS] course.

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