Sample Sequence of Courses for
Biological Sciences
Students majoring in Biological Sciencescan earn a B.S. or B.A. degree. The major requires a core course in each of the three biology departments: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Molecular & Cell Biology, and Physiology & Neurobiology. Candidates must complete the CLAS requirements for a B.S. or B.A. to receive their degree. While no sample program can apply to every student, the following example assumes that the student has met the foreign language requirement in high school and is pursuing the B.S. degree.
First SemesterSecond Semester
Course(15-16Credits)Course(13-16Credits)
Biology 1107 or 11081 4Biology 1108 or 11071 4
Chemistry 1127Q or 1124Q 4Chemistry 1128Q or 1125Q 3-4
Math 1060Q or Gen Ed 3Math 1060Q or Math 1131Q 3-4
English 1010 or 1011 or Gen Ed 3-4Gen Ed or English 1010 or 1011 3-4
UNIV 1800 (FYE) 1
Third SemesterFourth Semester
Course(14-15 Credits)Course(15-16 Credits)
Biology core course2 3-4Biology core course2 3-4
Math 1131Q or Math 1132Q 42000+ Biology course5 3
Chemistry 1126Q or Related3 3Math 1132Q or Related course3 3
Non-Major Writing (W) course 3Gen Ed or elective 3
BIOL 22894 1Gen Ed 3
Fifth SemesterSixth Semester
Course(16-18 Credits)Course(16-17 Credits)
Physics 1401Q or 1201Q 4Physics 1402Q or 1202Q 4
Biology core course2 3-42000+ level Biology course5 3-4
2000+BiologyWriting (W)course 3-4Related course3 3
Gen Ed 3Gen Ed 3
Elective 3Elective 3
Seventh SemesterEighth Semester
Course(15-16 Credits)Course(15-16 Credits)
2000+ level Biology course5 3-42000+ level Biology course5 3-4
Related course3 3Related course3 3
Gen Ed 3Gen Ed 3
Elective 3Elective 3
Elective 3Elective 3
1Introductory Biology Courses:
Complete both courses:
BIOL 1107 Principles of Biology I 4 cr.
BIOL 1108 Principles of Biology II orBIOL 1110 Intro to Botany 4 cr.
2Biology core courses: Students must take (at least) one core course from each of the three biology departments.
EEB core course options:
EEB 2244 or 2244W General Ecology4cr.
EEB 2245 or 2245W Evolutionary Biology3-4 cr.
MCB core course options:
MCB 2000 Introduction to Biochemistry 4 cr.
MCB 2210 Cell Biology3 cr.
MCB 2400 Human Genetics3 cr.
MCB 2410 Genetics 3 cr.
MCB 2610 Fundamentals of Microbiology4 cr.
MCB 3010 Biochemistry5cr.
PNB core course options:
PNB 2250 Animal Physiology3 cr.
PNB 2274 and 2275 Enhanced Human Physiology & Anatomy8 cr.
**PNB 2264-2265, Human Physiology & Anatomy, does notcount towards the major in Biological Sciences.
3Related coursework: Students must take 12 credits of related courses at the 2000-level or higher. Related courses arerelated to science, health, or the environment. Students are encouraged to choose related courses that apply to their future career goals and should talk with their advisor about these courses to ensure they will be approved on their final plan of study.Although there is flexibility regarding related coursework for Biological Sciences majors, students interested in pursuing medicine or dentistry should take these courses:
CHEM 2443 Organic Chemistry3 cr.
CHEM 2444Organic Chemistry3 cr.
CHEM 2445Organic Chemistry Laboratory3 cr.
4BIOL 2289: Introduction to the variety of research programs in the Life Sciences on the Storrs campus. Required of Sophomore Biology Honor students; also open to students interested in undergraduate research.
5Major Coursework: Students must take at least 24 credits of 2000-level or higher coursework in biology and earn an average GPA of 2.0 or higher in these courses.Biology core courses automatically count toward the 24-credit group. Other than BIOL 2289 and BIOL 3520W, all courses that fulfill the 24-credit group for Biological Sciences are offered as EEB, MCB, and PNB courses.Students may apply no more than 3 independent study credits and 8 transfer credits toward their 24-credit group.