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 2025. 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 - General 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 a 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 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.
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 Term | Credits |
| BIOLOGY 106 [BSCI] or 107 [BSCI] 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 105 [PSCI] | 4 |
| Diversity [DIVR] | 3 |
| ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| BIOLOGY 106 or 1071 | 4 |
| CHEM 106 | 4 |
| HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
| MATH 140 [QUAN] or 171 [QUAN] | 4 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Arts [ARTS] | 3 |
| BIOLOGY 3011 | 4 |
| CHEM 345 | 4 |
| Humanities [HUM] | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| BIOLOGY 370 [M] or 372 [M]1 | 4 |
| Program Option Course: Biochemistry Emphasis2 | 3 or 4 |
| Social Sciences [SSCI] | 3 |
| STAT 212, 412, or PSYCH 311 | 3 or 4 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| BIOLOGY 395, 403, or 4051 | 3 |
| Communication [COMM] or Written Communication [WRTG] | 3 |
| PHYSICS 101 or 201 | 3 |
| PHYSICS 111 or 211 | 1 |
| Program Option Courses: Cell Biology Emphasis 2 | 3 |
| Foreign Language or Electives3 | 4 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Equity and Justice [EQJS] | 3 |
| PHYSICS 102 or 202 | 3 |
| PHYSICS 112 or 212 | 1 |
| Program Option or Electives | 3 or 4 |
| Foreign Language or Electives3 | 4 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| BIOLOGY 473 [CAPS] [M], 483 [CAPS] [M], or 489 [CAPS] [M] 4 | 3 |
| Program Option or Electives5 | 6 - 8 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Program Option or Electives5 | 6 - 8 |
| Electives | 9 |
| Complete School of Biological Sciences Exit Survey | |
Footnotes
| 1 | BioCore (10 credits required): BIOLOGY 301, one from BIOLOGY 370 [M] or 372 [M], and one from BIOLOGY 305, 395, 403, or 405. |
| 2 | General Biology Option Requirements include one course from the Biochemistry Emphasis (CHEM 370 or MBIOS 303); and one course from the Cell Biology Emphasis (BIOLOGY 352 or MBIOS 405). |
| 3 | 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. |
| 4 | Students in Honors College complete HONORS 450 in lieu of a BIOLOGY [CAPS] course. |
| 5 | General Biology Option Electives include a minimum of 15 credits of Biological Science selected in consultation with a biology advisor. These should include coursework to fulfill the University requirement of 40 upper division credits. |
- Biological Sciences
Courses
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Schedules of Studies
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- Biology - General Option
Minors
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