Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Biology, BA
What Is the Study of Biology?
Biology, as the study of living things, is 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.
The B.A. in Biology is designed for students who want to make biology the focus of a liberal arts education and are not directly interested in post-graduate study or professional careers in biology or teaching. The number of required courses in the B.A. Biology degree has been kept low to permit you to add other areas of study and courses suited to your needs and interests.
If you would like to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree, you may wish to combine your interest in Biology with a focus of course work in areas such as History or Political Science. Other disciplines such as Art, English, Journalism, Sociology, Economics, Philosophy, Business, Physical Education, Psychology or Speech are also beneficial to you if pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Biology.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
Are you interested in Biology but do not want a career in biology? Do you want a liberal arts education with a focus on Biology? Do you want to know all about the life that you see, hear, touch, taste and smell and how this affects us? Do you have interests in other scholastic areas as well? Consider a Bachelors of Arts in Biology!
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
- BIOL 204 Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity (4)
- BIOL 205 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (5)
- BIOL 206 Introduction to Organismal Biology (5)
- BIOL 321 Genetics (4)
- BIOL 323 Cell and Molecular Biology (4)
- BIOL 325 Ecology (3)
- BIOL 432 Evolutionary Biology (4)
- Choose one of the following series:
- CHEM 121 General Chemistry I (5)
- CHEM 122 General Chemistry II (5)
- CHEM 123 General Chemistry III (4)
- or
- CHEM 125 General Chemistry I, Honors (5)
- CHEM 126 General Chemistry II, Honors (5)
- CHEM 225 General Chemistry III, Honors (5)
- CHEM 251 Elementary Organic Chemistry (5)
- MATH 240 Introduction to Statistics or equivalent (4)
- One course from:
- PHYS 101 Physics Analysis (0 or 4)
- or
- PHYS 114 Principles of Physics I (5)
- 18 credits of upper-division biology courses approved by faculty advisor.
GURs:
These courses are offered within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR or Writing Proficiency Requirements.
- QSR: MATH 240
- LSCI: BIOL 204, 205, 206; CHEM 121, 122, 123, 125, 126, 225, 251;
- PHYS 101
- SCI: PHYS 114
Notable Alumni
Sample Careers
- Lobbyist
- Scientific Illustrator
- Science Writer
- Public Outreach
- Nursing
- Physician Assistant
- Dental Assistant
- Regulatory Affairs
- Pathology Assistant
- Biological Photographer
- Laboratory Technician
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