Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Biology—General Emphasis, BS
What Is the Study of Biology?
Biology is the study of living things, an academic endeavor with a basic research focus on seeking answers to questions rather than on applying biological knowledge to solve problems. As scientists, biologists have two prime motivations: (1) intellectual curiosity about biological systems, and (2) the philosophy that creating and disseminating reliable knowledge has intrinsic worth. Thus, we intend for our intensive academic program to stimulate our students’ curiosity and appetite for life-long learning about biology.
The biology curriculum provides an effective combination of knowledge in areas that students can apply to many careers. The supporting courses for the Biology major in math, physics, and chemistry, along with the biology core curriculum at the 200-level and 300-level, plus one 400-level course in evolution, fulfill the goals of a liberal arts education. In 400-level courses students not only pursue interests more specifically, but begin to integrate and apply knowledge, and develop the skills and abilities to pursue careers of their choosing.
Hence, the integrated conceptual foundation in biology, the critical thinking skills, quantitative problem-solving abilities, leadership with team-building skills, and scientific research skills students obtain from lecture and laboratory courses in the B.S. Biology curriculum ultimately are critical for post-baccalaureate studies and future job performance. We expect that students who graduate with a B.S. or B.A. in Biology can apply their education to a variety of jobs across careers.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
This degree program allows students to develop an upper-division curriculum tailored to meet their educational needs with the help of their faculty advisor. A diploma granted under this major will indicate “Bachelor of Science”; official transcripts will indicate Biology – General Emphasis.
How to Declare:
Declare your Biology, Phase I major as soon as you discover you are interested. Contact Maren Brinson in the Biology Department Office, BI 315 for details. Freshmen, your first quarter is not too soon!
The Biology Department has a two-step process for admission into our degree programs:
Phase I: Students declare their intent to major in biology, and are in the process of completing the introductory biology (BIOL 204, 205, 206) and general chemistry (CHEM 121, 122, 123) series.
Phase II: Admissions is based on academic performance in the Phase I introductory courses. Students must have achieved an average grade of 2.9 or higher in their introductory biology and general chemistry courses before they can advance to Phase II and begin taking upper-division coursework. Students may repeat only one course in Phase I in order to remain eligible for Phase II.
Coursework
Basic Requirements:
- BIOL 204 - INTRODUCTION TO EVOLUTION, ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY
- BIOL 205 - INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
- BIOL 206 - INTRODUCTION TO ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY
- BIOL 321 - GENETICS
- BIOL 323 - CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
- BIOL 325 - ECOLOGY
- BIOL 340 - BIOMETRICS
- BIOL 432 - EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
- Choose one of the following series:
- CHEM 121 - GENERAL CHEMISTRY I
- CHEM 122 - GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
- CHEM 123 - GENERAL CHEMISTRY III
- or
- CHEM 125 - GENERAL CHEMISTRY I, HONORS
- CHEM 126 - GENERAL CHEMISTRY II, HONORS
- CHEM 225 - GENERAL CHEMISTRY III, HONORS
- CHEM 351 - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- CHEM 352 - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- One course from:
- MATH 124 - CALCULUS AND ANALYTIC GEOMETRY I
- MATH 134 - CALCULUS I HONORS
- Choose one of the following series:
- PHYS 114 - PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS I
- PHYS 115 - PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS II
- PHYS 116 - PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS III
- or
- PHYS 121 - PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS I
- PHYS 122 - PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS II
- PHYS 123 - ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM (or PHYS 223 - Waves and Optics under advisement)
Depth Requirements
- One course from:
- BIOL 322 - Genetics Lab
- BIOL 324 - Methods in Molecular Biology
- BIOL 326 - Ecology Laboratory
- BIOL 346 - Microbiology Lab
- BIOL 349 - Human Physiology
- Two additional upper-division lab (or lecture and lab) courses, including at least one 400-level course. Students must select courses with departmental advisement/approval. These courses may be applied to other requirements in the Biology - General Emphasis major.
- BIOL 322 - Genetics Lab
- BIOL 324 - Methods in Molecular Biology
- BIOL 326 - Ecology Laboratory
- BIOL 346 - Microbiology Lab
- BIOL 349 - Human Physiology
- BIOL 403 - Physiological Ecology of Animals
- BIOL 404 - Plant Ecology
- BIOL 407 - Marine Ecology
- BIOL 408 - Ecological Methods
- BIOL 409 - Research Reptile Ecology
- BIOL 450 - Plant Anatomy
- BIOL 452 - Systematic Botany
- BIOL 456 - Algae
- BIOL 460 - Invertebrate Zoology
- BIOL 462 - Entomology
- BIOL 465 - Vertebrate Zoology
- BIOL 468 - Comparative Vertebrate Physiology Laboratory
- BIOL 474 - Biochemistry Laboratory
- BIOL 479 - Plant Physiology
- BIOL 484 - Cell Biology Laboratory
- 10 credit hours in selected 400-level courses excluding:
- BIOL 432 - Evolutionary Biology
- BIOL 494 - Biology Research
- BIOL 495 - Research Communication
- BIOL 496 - Professional Work Experience in Biology
- BIOL 498 - Teaching Practicum
Electives:
4-7 credits to make 95-96 (76-77 credits of basic requirements plus 19 upper-division biology depth and elective credits). No more than 3 credit hours combined in BIOL 395, 496 and 498 and no more than 4 credit hours combined in BIOL 494 and 495 can be applied to this category. Additional biology elective credits can be taken to fulfill University graduation requirements:
- Any 300 or 400-level biology course under advisement.
GURs:
The courses below are offered within this major and may also be used to satisfy GUR.
- QSR: MATH 124, 134
- LSCI: BIOL 204, 205, 206; CHEM 121, 122, 123, 125, 126, 225;
- PHYS 115, 116, 161, 162, 163
- SCI: PHYS 114
Sample Careers
- Botanist
- Ecologist
- Biology Educator
- Marine Scientist
- Biotechnologist
- Laboratory Technician
- Physician Assistant
- Pharmacist
- Dentist
- Medical Doctor
Department
Contact
Department Chair:
Dr. Joann Otto
BI 315
(360) 650-4044
Joann.Otto@wwu.edu
Program Coordinator:
Maren Brinson
BI 315
(360) 650-6165
maren.brinson@wwu.edu