Majors ordinarily will begin their work in biology with Bio 296A in the spring of the freshman year. On completing Chem 111A-112A, which should also be taken during the first year, students will proceed to Bio 297A and Bio 3051 in the sophomore year. Bio 296A, Bio 297A and Bio 3051 are normally required for majors and are highly recommended in sequence for premedical and predental students majoring in other departments.
CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS AND MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENTS
In addition to Chem 111A-112A and the accompanying laboratory courses Chem 151-152 (formerly 115-116), biology majors are required to take Chem 251, 257 and either 252 or 421; Physics 117A-118A (Physics taken in University College, Washington University's evening school, does not meet this requirement); Math 131, and Math 132 or Math 1323. Math 1323 combines the study of calculus with an introduction to statistics and is suitable for students with interests in biological research. Students who plan to take physical chemistry (required for the special major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, see p. 3) will want to take Math 132 (not 1323) and 233. Math 233 is highly recommended for majors interested in research. Math 320 is valuable for students whose professional interests require training in statistics.
| Fall - Year One | Spring - Year One | Fall - Year Two | Spring - Year Two |
| Chem 111A (3) | Chem 112A (3) | Chem 251 (3) | Chem 252 (3) |
Bio 11x(3) or Bio 181 (1) (highly rec. for students with research interests). |
Bio 296A (4) (Chem 111A pre-req; Chem 112A co-req). |
Bio 297A (4) (Bio 296A and Chem 112A pre-reqs) |
Bio 3051 (4) (Bio 297A pre-req). |
| Math 131 (3 or 4) | Math 132 or 1323 (3 or 4) | Math 233 (4) (rec.), or Distribution (3). | Distribution (3) |
| Chem (Lab) 151 (1) | Chem (Lab) 152 (1) | Chem (Lab) 257 (2) | |
| Distribution (3) or English Comp 1xx (3). | English Comp 1xx (3), or Distribution (3) | Distribution (6) | Distribution (3) |
| Distribution (3) |
ADVANCED BIOLOGY UNITS REQUIREMENT
At least eighteen units in advanced Biology courses (numbered 300 or above) are required. These eighteen units may not include Biology 303A, 317A, 340A, 343A, 345A, or 346A or cross-listed courses originating in other departments, or more than three units of history of science courses. Four of the advanced units must be in genetics (Bio 3051). At least two units of laboratory credit must be earned in advanced laboratory course work. Acceptable courses and the number of units of laboratory credit each carries are listed on the next page in the last paragraph.
THREE AREAS OF BIOLOGY REQUIRED
| The department has grouped certain of its basic courses into four areas; majors are required to take at least one course from each of three of these areas: |
|---|
| Area 1. Molecular Mechanisms in Development (Bio 3191); Cell Biology (Bio 334); Microbiology (Bio 349); Immunology (Bio 424); The Cell Nucleus (Bio 434, formerly Bio 337); General Biochemistry (Bio 451). |
| Area 2. Vertebrate Structure (Bio 311); Vertebrate Development (Bio 312); Endocrinology (Bio 3151); An Introduction to the Nervous System (Bio 3411); Introduction to Neuroethology (Bio 3421); Comparative Vertebrate Physiology (Bio 4011). |
| Area 3. Evolution (Bio 3501); Behavioral Ecology of Desert Wildlife (Bio 371); Population Genetics (Bio 4181); Macroevolution (Bio 4182); Molecular Evolution (Bio 4183); Ecology (Bio 419); Evolutionary Genetics (Bio 4202). |
| Area 4. Plant Biology and Genetic Engineering (Bio 3041); Plant Evolution and Diversity (Bio 308); Plant Form and Function (Bio 3091); Medical Plants (Bio 3261); Biochemistry of Plants (Bio 4021); Plant Developmental Genetics, Genomics and Model Systems (Bio 4022). |
All courses required for a major in biology must be taken for a letter grade if a letter grade is offered. A grade of C- or better must be earned in all of these courses.
There is no formal language requirement; however prospective majors should be aware that competence in a foreign language or a computer language is desirable for anyone contemplating a career in biological or medical sciences. Students should consult with their advisor concerning the language most appropriate to their interests.
COURSES FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES
In some cases, courses from other universities may be acceptable as substitutes for Washington University courses. However, such substitutions must be approved by the Biology Department prior to enrollment. Approval is usually obtained from a member of the Biology faculty teaching a similar course here, and must be endorsed by your advisor. In no case will "non-calculus" physics be accepted as a substitute for Physics 117A-118A.
Under special circumstances, requests for exemptions from requirements will be evaluated by the Departmental Waivers Committee. Forms are available in the Biology Office, Rebstock 321.
Freshmen and sophomores interested in beginning research should investigate enrollment in Bio 200 (Introduction to Research). Research opportunities for juniors and seniors are provided through Bio 500 (Independent Work). Projects are coordinated by the department and may be sponsored by faculty members in the Biology Department or at the School of Medicine. No more than six units of Independent Work may be applied toward the 18 units required for the major. Dr. D. Kohl reviews and approves all enrollments in Bio 200 and Bio 500. See Page 7 for more information.
To qualify for honors in biology a student must complete six units of Bio 500, present a thesis based on the Bio 500 project, have at least a B+ average in biology, at least a B+ average in all mathematics, chemistry, and physics courses required for the major, and at least a B+ average overall. Only course work taken at Washington University will be considered when assessing honors status. The thesis must be judged worthy of honors first by the faculty mentor and then by qualified scientists appointed by the department. The thesis must describe the independent work, present the data obtained, and indicate what the student has learned from the experience; it must be submitted to the committee of advisors no later than two months prior to graduation. A written statement from the student's sponsor evaluating the student's performance is also required. An oral examination may be held at the discretion of the Department. Generally, research to be considered for honors will be initiated during the junior year and completed during the senior year. It is emphasized that honors candidates must fulfill all requirements for a major in biology or Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Students with special interests in biology should consult with the Biology Department for suggestions and information. Qualified students may wish to consider the special major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the B.S. degrees in Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Sciences, or Biological and Engineering Sciences, or the Biomedical Physics Minor. See Pages 3-4. Students wishing to meet the state teaching certificate requirements in biology should contact the Education Department. See Pages 10-35 for suggestions concerning a variety of career options.
Students who achieve a grade of 4 or 5 on the Biology Advanced Placement Exam will receive six units of college credit.
A minimum of two units of formal laboratory course work are required for the biology major. Students planning to pursue research careers in the biomedical sciences are strongly urged to take additional lab courses. NOTE: Biology 500 does not satisfy the laboratory course work requirement for the biology major.
| Provides one unit of laboratory credit: | Provides two units of lab credit: |
|---|---|
| Bio 308 Plant Evolution & Diversity (spring) | Bio 311 Vertebrate Structure (fall) |
| Bio 3091 Plant Form & Function (spring) | Bio 312 Vertebrate Development (spring) |
| Bio 371 Behavioral Ecology of Desert Wildlife (summer) | Bio 3491 Microbio Lab (as of spring 1997) |
| Bio 404 Lab of Neurophysiology (fall) even yrs | |
| Bio 437 Lab of DNA Manip (fall/May) | |
| Bio 4522 Biochem Lab (spring) |