BA in Biology—Quantitative Biology Specialization

The requirements for this specialization include seven principal courses beyond CAS BI 107 and 108 (or 118), BI/MA 196, five 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 & 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 four 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 445, BI 481, BI 491, BI 492, BI 504, BI 508, BI 513, BI 519, BI 552, BI 553, BI 556, BI 572, 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 four 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 two 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.