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 - 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 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 that includes eight credits of program options listed below is required and should be selected in consultation with your biology advisor. 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 two BIOLOGY writing in the major courses (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 that includes eight credits of program options listed below is required and should be selected in consultation with your biology advisor. 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 two BIOLOGY writing in the major courses (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] | 4 |
CHEM 105 [PSCI] | 4 |
Diversity [DIVR] | 3 |
ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
Second Term | Credits |
BIOLOGY 106 or 107 | 4 |
CHEM 106 | 4 |
HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
MATH 140 [QUAN] or 171 [QUAN] | 4 |
Second Year | |
First Term | Credits |
Arts [ARTS] | 3 |
Biology Core1 | 4 or 3 |
CHEM 345 | 4 |
Electives2 | 4 |
Second Term | Credits |
Biology Core1 | 4 or 3 |
CHEM 348 | 4 |
Social Sciences [SSCI] | 3 |
Electives2 | 6 |
Complete Writing Portfolio | |
Third Year | |
First Term | Credits |
Biology Core1 | 3 or 4 |
Communication [COMM] or Written Communication [WRTG] | 3 |
Program Option Course3 | 3 or 4 |
Foreign Language or Electives2,4 | 4 |
Second Term | Credits |
CHEM 370 or MBIOS 303 | 3 or 4 |
Humanities [HUM]5 | 3 |
Program Option Course3 | 3 or 4 |
Foreign Language or Electives2,4 | 4 |
Fourth Year | |
First Term | Credits |
Equity and Justice [EQJS] | 3 |
Program Option Course3 | 3 or 4 |
Electives2 | 12 |
Second Term | Credits |
BIOLOGY Capstone [CAPS] [M] or HONORS 450 | 3 |
Electives2 | 12 |
Footnotes
1 | BioCore (10 credits required): BIOLOGY 301, one of 370 [M] or 372 [M], and one of 305, 395, 403, or 405. |
2 | Students 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. |
3 | Program 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. |
4 | 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. |
5 | PHIL 365 [HUM] may be required for admission to some graduate and professional programs. |
- Biological Sciences
Courses
- Biology
- Science
Schedules of Studies
- Biology - Basic Medical Sciences
- Biology - General Option
Minors
- Biology