The principal requirements for the biology major include nine courses in the department and a number of related science courses. Following two prerequisite semesters of Introductory Biology (CAS BI 107 and BI 108 or 118), students select one course from each of the following areas: CAS BI 315 or 325 to fulfill the breadth requirement in physiology, endocrinology, and neurobiology (PER/Neuro); CAS BI 203, or 213 or 206 to fulfill the requirement in cell and molecular biology (CM); CAS BI 260 or 303 or 306, 309, or 407 to fulfill the requirement in ecology, behavior, and evolution (EBE). Of the seven courses taken beyond CAS BI 107 and BI 108 or 118, five must be taken in the department, at least three must be at the 300–500 level, and three must have a laboratory or field component. A grade of C or higher is required for credit toward the major in all of the following: biology courses numbered 191 or higher, required related courses, and recommended related courses. Course recommendations for specific programs are available from the student’s advisor.

Required Related Science Courses

Two courses in mathematics or in mathematics and computer science: CAS MA 121 and 122; or MA 123 and 124; or MA 213 and 214; or CAS CS 108 or CS 111 and any one of CAS MA 121, 122, 123, 124, 127, 129, 196, 213, 214; or a combination from among the MA courses listed here of one course in calculus and one in statistics. Two courses in physics: CAS PY 105/106 or 211/212 or 211/106 or 241/242.

Prerequisite and Corequisite Chemistry Courses

Three courses in chemistry are prerequisite or corequisite for the biology major: CAS CH 101, 102 (or 109, 110 or 111, 112) and CH 203 (or 211); or CAS CH 171, 172, and 273. CAS CH 101, 102 (or 171, 172) should be taken concurrently with CAS BI 107, 108 or 118. CAS CH 203 (or 211 or 273) is co-requisite for BI 203 and a prerequisite for BI 206.

Recommended Related Courses

The following related courses may be credited toward the major: GRS CH 621, 622; CAS ES 452; SAR HS 251, 360, 369, 370 (no lab credit given for HS 360, 369, and 370); and CAS PS 338.

Undergraduate Research Options

CAS BI 191/192 or BI 291/292 may be taken for elective credit. Up to a total of 8 credits from the following courses may be counted toward the major in biology, but no more than 4 credits may apply toward lab credit: CAS BI 391/392 or BI 401/402 or BI 491/492.

Advanced Placement (AP)

A student with an AP examination score of 5 may receive 8 credits and place out of either BI 107 and BI 108 or BI 105 and BI 107. A score of 4 on the Advanced Placement examination allows 4 credits (for BI 105, BI 107, or BI 108), at the student’s discretion. Advanced placement decisions should be made in consultation with a biology advisor.

Premedical Students

Premedical students majoring in biology should discuss premedical requirements with their advisors and with the Premedical Advising Office (CAS Room B2) as early as possible.

Modular Medical Program

Juniors and seniors in good standing, with the prerequisites and approval from CAS Room B2, may register for certain courses that have been developed for the Modular Medical Integrated Curriculum (MMEDIC). This program has been designed by the College of Arts & Sciences and the School of Medicine faculties to satisfy certain preclinical School of Medicine requirements. Those interested in early admission to the Boston University School of Medicine through the MMEDIC program should apply in CAS Room B2 in the second semester of their sophomore year.

The following courses may count toward credit for the biology major: GMS AN 705 and 706, BI 555, BI 556, BI 751, MI 700, MI 713, PH 730.

Note: Students enrolled in the MMEDIC program may petition for up to three MMEDIC courses to be accepted toward the biology major. MMEDIC students must take a minimum of four courses beyond the introductory level in the Department of Biology in order to fulfill their department residency requirement. Biology majors not enrolled in the MMEDIC program may count no more than two approved MMEDIC courses toward the biology major.

Transfer Students Entering with Advanced Standing

must take at least five principal courses beyond the introductory level in the Department of Biology to satisfy residency and major requirements listed above.

(Note that among the Biology Breadth Courses, Biology Elective Courses, and General Elective Courses, 3 courses must have a laboratory or field component, as designated by “L” in following outline of requirements.)

Prerequisite Biology Courses

(2) CAS BI 107 and BI 108 (or 118)

Required Biology Breadth Courses

(3) CAS BI 206, BI 315 (L) or 325, and BI 407 (L)

Required 2-credit Seminar

BI 224

Biology Electives

(choose 2) CAS 230, BI 444, BI 508, BI 520, BI 545

General Electives

(choose 5; a minimum of 2 must have an AN or PS designation) Where marked (*), students are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research as part of this specialization. CAS BI 191/2 and BI 291/2 may be taken for elective credit. Up to 2 research courses chosen from BI 391/2 or BI 401/402 or BI 491/2 (or their equivalents in Biological Anthropology or Psychology may be counted toward the major, but research courses will count for only one of the 3 required courses having a laboratory or field component.

CAS BI 230, BI 302 (L), BI 303 (L), BI 306 (L), BI 391/2*, BI 401/2*, BI 415 (L), BI 425, BI/GE 438, BI/GE 439, BI/GE 440, BI/GE 441, BI 442, BI 444, BI 491/2*, BI 504, BI 506, BI 508, BI 512 (L), BI 520, BI 531 (L), BI 532 (L), BI 545, BI 546, BI 554, BI 563, AN 334, AN 335, AN 336, AN 534, PS205, pS 231, PS 234, PS 337, and PS 338.

Prerequisite and Corequisite Chemistry Courses

Three chemistry courses as detailed in the Major in Biology section.

Required Related Science Courses

Two courses in mathematics, or in mathematics and computer sciences, and two courses in physics, as detailed in the Major in Biology section.

(Note that among the Required Core Courses, Foundation Courses, and Advanced Electives, 3 courses must have a laboratory component.)

Prerequisite Biology Courses

(2) CAS BI 107 and BI 108 (or 118)

Required Core Courses

(2) CAS BI 315 or BI 325 to fulfill the physiology/endocrinology/neuroscience requirement; CAS BI 260 or BI 303 or BI 306 or 309 or BI 407 to fulfill the ecology/behavior/evolution requirement.

Foundation Courses

(3) CAS BI 203 (or 213 recommended), BI 206 (or 216 recommended), and BI 552.

Advanced Electives

(4) Choose 4 additional courses from the following list and the laboratory and non-departmental options below. Note the conditions on the laboratory and non-departmental options. CAS BB 522, BI 309, BI 311, BI 315, BI 325, BI 385, BI 410, BI 421, BI 422, BI 425, BI 442, BI 444, BI 445, BI 446, BI 455, BI 481, BI 485, BI 504, BI 505, BI 513, BI 515, BI 544, BI 549, BI 551, BI 553, BI 554, BI 556, BI 557, BI 572, BI 575.

Undergraduate Research

A maximum of 8 credits (2 courses) from the following courses may be counted as Advanced Electives, but no more than 4 credits (1 course) will apply toward the laboratory requirement: CAS BI 391, 392 or BI 401, 402 or BI 491, 492. To receive major credit, research must be done on an approved topic.

Non-departmental

A maximum of two of the following courses can be used as Advanced Electives for major credit: CAS BB 522, CH 525, ENG BF 527, BF 571.

Prerequisite and Corequisite Chemistry Courses

CAS CH 101, 102 (or 109,110, or 111, 112) CH 203, 204 (or 211, 212, or 203, 214) are prerequisite or corequisite courses.

Required Related Courses

Two courses in mathematics or mathematics and computer science: CAS MA 121 and 122; or MA 123 and 124; or MA 213 and 214; or CS 108 (or CS 111) and any one of MA 121, 122, 123, 124, 127, 129, 213, 214; or a combination from among the MA courses listed here of one course in calculus and one in statistics. Two courses in physics: CAS PY 105, 106; or PY 211, 212; or PY 241, 242.

The requirements for this specialization include 12 courses in biology, with an emphasis on coursework in the Evolution, Behavior, and Ecology division of the Department of Biology. A grade not lower than C in principal and required related courses is required for the biology major and the SECB degree. CAS BI 107 and BI 108 or 118 are prerequisites for the major.

Principal Courses

The major requires 10 principal courses. Those must include BI 206, BI 303 or 306, and BI 448. Of the seven additional principal courses, six may be selected from the following: CAS BI 260, 301, 302, 305, 306, 309, 407, 414, 415, 417, 423, 468, 477, 486, 502, 503, 506, 508, 512, 515, 530, 531, and 532; one course, BI 315 or 325, must be taken from the PER/Neuro group in biology. Three of these seven additional principal courses must have a lab or field component, and at least three must be at the 300–500 level.

Up to four courses from the Tropical Ecology Program are acceptable for the SECB degree: CAS BI/GE 438, BI/GE 439, BI/GE 440, and BI/GE 441. One semester of research, either Work for Distinction (BI 401/402) or Undergraduate Research (BI 491/492) on an approved topic, may also be accepted for the Specialization in Ecology and Conservation Biology.

Prerequisite and Corequisite Chemistry Courses

Three chemistry courses as detailed in the Major in Biology section.

Required Related Science Courses

Two courses in mathematics, or in mathematics and computer science, and two courses in physics, as detailed in the Major in Biology section.

Recommended Courses in Environmental Science and Policy

The following courses may be taken in addition to the prescribed 12 principal courses: CAS GE 275, GE 320, GE 425, GE 430, GE 504, GE 510, GE 511; CAS GE 302, GE 365, GE 448.

The requirements for this specialization include 12 biology courses, three prerequisite and co-requisite chemistry courses, and four related science courses. A grade no lower than C is required for credit toward the major in required core biology, principal, and related science courses.

Prerequisite Courses

CAS BI 107 and BI 108 or 118.

Required Core Biology Courses

CAS BI 203 (or 213), 315, 325, and BI 407.

Principal Courses

Six additional principal courses are required, including at least one biology course with lab or field component and four courses from the following list: CAS BI 230, 421, 425, 444, 445, 454, 455, 481, 520, 545, 551, 552, 554, 563, 575, 599, PS 323, 333, 338, 544; and SAR HS 370 (not for lab credit) and 550.

Undergraduate research options include CAS BI 401 and 402, Work for Distinction (only one of these two courses may count as a neurobiology and laboratory course); and CAS BI 391 and 392, or CAS BI 491 and 492, Undergraduate Research (to receive neurobiology credit, students must take both courses, but only 4 credits may count as a neurobiology laboratory course).

Prerequisite and Corequisite Chemistry Courses

Three chemistry courses as detailed in the Major in Biology section.

Required Related Courses

Two courses in mathematics, or mathematics and computer science, and two courses in physics, as detailed in the Major in Biology section.

The requirements for this specialization include 7 principal courses beyond CAS BI 107 and 108 (or 118), BI/MA 196, 5 mathematics courses beyond MA 129, plus courses in physics and chemistry.

Prerequisite Biology Courses

CAS BI 107, BI 108 or 118.

Prerequisite Mathematics Courses

CAS MA 123/124 or MA 127 or MA 129.

Principal Courses

Seven additional courses beyond the biology prerequisites. These courses include the following: CAS BI 203 or 213 to fulfill the requirement in cell and molecular biology; CAS BI 303, 306, 309, or 407 to fulfill the requirement in ecology/behavior/evolution; CAS BI 315 or 325 to fulfill the requirement in physiology/endocrinology/neuroscience; and 4 courses from the QB Electives list (CAS BI 206, BI 385, BI 391, BI 392, BI 401, BI 402, BI 407, BI 410, BI 421, BI 422, BI 423, BI 443, BI 444, BI 445, BI 481, BI 491, BI 492, BI 504, BI 505, BI 508, BI 513, BI 519, BI 549, BI 552, BI 553, BI 556, BI 572, BI 575, MA/BI 565, BF 571, BE/BI 561, BE/BI 567, BB 522, BF 527, CN 510, CN 520, GE 275, GE 365, GE 516). One of the 4 QB Electives must be either MA/BI 565 or BF/BI 571. It is strongly recommended that students include one or more semesters of undergraduate research in their program; however, no more than 2 courses in research (BI 391, BI 392, BI 401, BI 402, BI 491, BI 492) can be counted toward degree requirements. Of the seven courses taken beyond BI 107 and BI 108/118, five must be taken in the Biology Department, at least three courses must be at the 300–500 level, and three must have a laboratory or field component. In addition, all QB students take BI/MA 196.

Required Related Courses

Five additional courses in mathematics beyond the math prerequisites, plus two courses in physics are required for the specialization. These include the following (* recommended):

Mathematics

CAS MA 213, MA 214, MA 225* or 230, MA 226* or 231, MA 242* or 442

Physics

CAS PY 241*/242* or PY 211/212 or PY 251/252.

Prerequisite and Corequisite Chemistry Courses

CAS CH 101/102 or CH 109/110 or CH 111/112, and CH 203 or 211. Note that CH 204 or 212 is required for the Biochemistry sequence and for the premed sequence.

Recommended Related Courses

CAS CN 530, CN 540, CN 550, CN 560, CN 570, CN 580, CS 111, CS 112, CS 232, GE 302, GE 440, GE 445, GE 565, MA 555, MA 556, MA 575, MA 581, MA 583.

A grade of C or higher is required for credit toward the major in all biology courses numbered 191 or higher, and all required-related and recommended-related courses.

BU International Programs and the Center for Ecology & Conservation Biology at Boston University operate a Tropical Ecology Program in collaboration with the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador. Designed specifically for biology and environmental science majors, the program provides a unique semester-long, 18-credit program for students to study the ecology of tropical Ecuador through intensive field-based experiences. Students live at different field stations during the semester, including one month at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the Amazon rain forest, two weeks on the Pacific coast, and two weeks on the Galápagos Islands. Students take a three-week Spanish and Culture course at the beginning of the semester and live with Ecuadorian families in Quito when not in the field. The four ecology courses are taught in English. Students should contact BU International Programs or the Center for Ecology & Conservation Biology for more information.

The Tropical Ecology program offers the following courses:

• CAS BI/GE 438/638 Tropical Montane Ecology
• CAS BI/GE 439/639 Tropical Rain Forest Ecology
• CAS BI/GE 440/640 Tropical Coastal Ecology
• CAS BI/GE 441/641 Studies in Tropical Ecology

Please see Special Courses and Programs for detailed course descriptions.

Pre-Veterinary Society (PVS)

This organization is open to undergraduates interested in veterinary medicine or related fields. In addition to field trips, lectures, and other events, this group provides information on the veterinary school application process. Meetings are held biweekly. The PVS mailbox is located at 5 Cummington Street.

Minor in Biology (0401)

A minor in biology consists of five courses, including CAS BI 107, 108 or 118, and three additional courses approved for credit toward the minor. Students must receive a grade of C or higher in all five courses taken toward the minor, and at least three of these courses must be taken in the Department of Biology at Boston University.

Major and Minor in Environmental Science

Faculty in the Department of Biology also contribute to the major in Environmental Science, which is administered through the Department of Geography & Environment. This major is designed to provide interdisciplinary training in Environmental Science and includes coursework in Biology, Earth Sciences, and Geography. Full details regarding requirements for the major and minor in Environmental Science are provided under the Department of Geography & Environment section on this website.

Major and Minor in Marine Science

Marine Science is an interdisciplinary program, offering both a major and a minor, to which Biology faculty members contribute along with colleagues from the Department of Earth Sciences and the Department of Geography & Environment. Full details are available under the Marine Science section on this website.

Major in Neuroscience

An interdisciplinary program leading to the BA in Neuroscience combines approaches to the study of mind and behavior from biology, psychology, and the computational sciences. The major is described in detail under the Neuroscience section on this website.

BA/MA Program in Biotechnology

Consult the “Interdisciplinary BA/MA Program in Biotechnology” section (www.bu.edu/biology) or see Professor Celenza in the Biology Department for further information.

Intercollege Cross-Registration: Boston Consortium

Students may cross-register for undergraduate courses at Boston College, Brandeis University, and Tufts University, but only after consultation with their advisors and with written departmental approval.