Biology, B.S.

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The biology major offers the broadest exposure to the various subdisciplines of biology through an examination of life from the molecular to the community level. Besides taking foundation courses that survey the full range of biology, plus genetics, ecology, and evolution, students also take courses in three major areas of biology: organismal biology, ecology, and cellular and functional biology. Students interested in veterinary medicine should pursue this track, and students applying to professional schools also should take Organic Chemistry II and lab (CHY 253 , CHY 254 ) and Biochemistry (minimum of CHY 461 ). Students graduating in this major have the broadest opportunities to further their education either in graduate or professional schools or to pursue any of a number of careers in the biological sciences, such as lab technicians and state biologists.

Program Requirements

Minimum number of credits (exclusive of the University’s Core Curriculum) required for the major: 69. A grade of C- or higher is required for all courses listed below.

All of the following are required:

BIO 105 - Biological Principles I: Cellular Biology Credits: 3
BIO 106 - Laboratory Biology Credits: 1.5
BIO 107 - Biological Principles II: Evolution, Biodiversity, and Ecology Credits: 4.5
BIO 109 - Biological Principles III: Functional Biology Credits: 3
BIO 201 - Genetics Credits: 3
BIO 203 - Ecology Credits: 3
BIO 217 - Evolution Credits: 3

One lecture/laboratory combination from each of the following three areas:

In addition to BIO 105 , BIO 106 , BIO 107 , BIO 109 , BIO 201 , BIO 203 , BIO 217 , and one lecture/laboratory course from each of the three stipulated areas, biology majors are required to take either two additional biology lecture courses or one biology lecture/laboratory course, with prefix numbers of 200 or above.

Additional required courses:

In addition, the biology major must satisfactorily complete all of the following courses. Students also must fulfill the University Core Curriculum requirements, including a Capstone course in the major.

Chemistry (14 credit hours)

CHY 113 - Principles of Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHY 114 - Laboratory Techniques I Credits: 1.5
CHY 115 - Principles of Chemistry II Credits: 3
CHY 116 - Laboratory Techniques II Credits: 1.5
CHY 251 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHY 252 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I Credits: 2

Physics (10 credit hours)

PHY 111 - Elements of Physics I Credits: 4
PHY 114 - Introductory Physics Laboratory I Credits: 1
PHY 112 - Elements of Physics II Credits: 4
PHY 116 - Introductory Physics Laboratory II Credits: 1
or
PHY 121 - General Physics I Credits: 4
PHY 114 - Introductory Physics Laboratory I
Credits: 1
PHY 123 - General Physics II Credits: 4
PHY 116 - Introductory Physics Laboratory II
Credits: 1

Mathematics (8 credit hours)

MAT 152 - Calculus A Credits: 4
MAT 220 - Statistics for the Biological Sciences Credits: 4

USM Core Requirements

The USM Core Curriculum is a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal education that enables our graduates to be world-minded, intentional, life-long learners and captures your general education degree requirements.

Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor. For additional information, access the USM Core webpage.