Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Major

For either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, the student must take our introductory core sequence (BIOL 225 and 226) and a semester of genetics (BIOL 330). Completion of the two-course introductory core with grades of C- or higher is required before upper-division biology courses can be taken. Furthermore, BIOL 330 must be completed within five semesters of starting the introductory core series. To ensure breadth of study in biology, students must complete at least one upper-division course in each of the three categories below.

Each of the courses taken for the biology major including the required supporting courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher and the cumulative GPA must be at least 2.00. Courses not designed for biology majors (BIOL 111, 116, 201, 205, 206) cannot be used to satisfy major requirements. Independent study (BIOL 491) and internship (BIOL 495) may be used for no more than a total of four of the upper-division biology hours required for the B.S. degree, and for no more than a total of two of the upper-division biology hours required for the B.A. degree.

Students who plan to apply biology credits earned at other institutions toward a PLU degree with a biology major should be aware that at least 14 hours in biology, numbered 300 or higher and including BIOL 499, must be earned in residence at PLU. Each student must consult with a biology advisor to discuss selection of electives appropriate for educational and career goals. Basic requirements under each plan for the major are listed below.

BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE

Major in Biology
34 semester hours in biology, plus 8 semester hours in required supporting courses

  • BIOL 225, 226, 330, and 499
  • Plus: 20 additional upper-division biology hours that satisfy the following requirements:
    • Cellular & Molecular Biology (one course): BIOL 341, 342, 442, 443, 444, 445, 448, or 449
    • Organism Structure & Function (one course): BIOL 352, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, or 453
    • Ecology & Evolution (once course): BIOL 362, 367, 368, 369, 461, or 462
  • NSCI 350 may count as an upper-division biology course that does not satisfy any of the distribution requirements listed above. A student cannot use both NSCI 350 and BIOL 491 or BIOL 495 to satisfy their total number of upper-division biology courses.
  • Required supporting courses: CHEM 115 and MATH 140
  • Recommended supporting courses: PHYS 125 (with 135 Lab) and PHYS 126 (with 136 Lab)

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE

Major in Biology
42 semester hours in Biology, plus 27 semester hours in required supporting courses

  • BIOL 225, 226, 330, and 499
  • Plus: 28 additional upper-division biology hours that satisfy the following requirements:
    • Cellular & Molecular Biology (one course): BIOL 341, 342, 442, 444, 445, 448, or 449
    • Organism Structure & Function (one course): BIOL 352, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, or 453
    • Ecology & Evolution (one course): BIOL 362, 367, 368, 369, 461, or 462
  • NSCI 350 may count as an upper-division biology course that does not satisfy any of the distribution requirements listed above. A student cannot use both NSCI 350 and BIOL 491 or BIOL 495 to satisfy their total number of upper-division biology courses.
  • For the B.S. degree only, CHEM 403 may count as an upper-division biology course with approval of the department chair. The use of CHEM 403 for the B.S. degree cannot be used to satisfy any of the distribution requirements listed above.
  • Required supporting courses:
    • CHEM 115 and 116, 331 (with 333 Lab)
    • MATH 151 or MATH 145
    • PHYS 125 (with 135 Lab) or PHYS 153 (with 163 Lab)
    • PHYS 126 (with 136 Lab) or PHYS 154 (with 164 Lab)

BIOLOGY SECONDARY EDUCATION

Students planning to be certified to teach biology in high school should plan to complete a B.A. or B.S. in biology. Upper-division biology course selection should be made in consultation with a biology advisor.  See the School of Education section of the catalog for biology courses required for certification.