Biology Degree Plan
Degree Options
Bachelor of Science in Biology
- Biology – Basic Medical Sciences Option
- Biology – General Option
- Biology – Pre-Physical Therapy/Pre-Occupational Therapy/Pre-Physician’s Assistant Option
- Biology – Plant Biology Option
- Biology – Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Option
- Biology – Education Option
- Biology – Entomology Option
Minors
Biology
Certificates
Certificate in Quantitative Biology
Student Clubs of Interest
- Biology Club
- Zoology Club
- Scientista
- Raptor Club and Rehabilitation Program
- Pre-Health Professions:
- Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS)
- Pre-Dental Club
- Pre-Health Club
- Pre-Nursing Club: Rho Nu
- Pre-Pharmacy Club
- Pre-Physician Assistant Club
- Pre-PT/OT Club
- Pre-Vet Club (AKA Organization of Future Veterinarians)
Career Options
- Medicine, dentistry, and health fields
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Pharmacology, nutrition, and dietetics
- Veterinary medicine and animal care
- Fisheries and wildlife ecology
- Plant biology, agriculture, and horticulture
- Entomology
- Conservation and resource management
- Environmental assessment
- Ecological restoration
- Ecologist
- Botanist
- Biotechnology and genetic engineering
- Forensics and pathology
- Public policy, science writing, journalism
- Science education
Admission to the Major Requirements
Admission to the Biology major requires a 2.0 GPA at WSU.
Suggested Classes for First-Year Students
- Two science or math classes
OR - One science and one math
PLUS - Two non-science classes each semester
Suggested Classes for Transfer Students
Core biology, physical sciences, mathematics, and statistics requirements and electives
Math Requirement
- Math 140: Calculus for Life Scientists
OR - Math 171: Calculus I
Core Courses
- Biology 106: Introductory Biology: Organismal Biology
- Biology 107: Introductory Biology: Cell Biology and Genetics
- Biology 301: General Genetics
- Biology 372: General Ecology
OR Biology 370: Ecology of Health and Disease - Biology 395: Evolutionary Medicine
OR Biology 403: Evolutionary Biology
OR Biology 405: Principles of Organic Evolution - Chemistry 105: Principles of Chemistry I
- Chemistry 106: Principles of Chemistry II
- Chemistry 345: Organic Chemistry I
- Math 140: Calculus for Life Scientists
OR Math 170: Calculus I - Physics 101 and 102: General Physics
OR Physics 201 and 202: Physics for Scientists and Engineers - Statistics 212: Introduction to Statistical Methods
OR Statistics 412: Statistical Methods in Research
Program Strengths
- Build a strong foundation in the sciences. Use options to focus on depth and breadth of interest areas.
- Courses cover biology, including molecular and cell biology, physiology and development of animals and plants, conservation biology, disease biology, genetics and genomics, taxonomy and systematics, ecology, and evolutionary biology.
- Small class sizes in advanced courses.
- Opportunities for one-on-one research with biology faculty, including field and laboratory experiences.
- Gain skills in research design, data analysis, DNA and cell biological techniques, physiological diagnostics, ecological and environmental assessment, phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis, global complex systems analysis, computer modeling and simulations, scientific writing, and professional communications.
- Prepare for graduate and professional schools.
- Math, science, and engineering community residence halls with other entering students in shared classes provide opportunities for group study, free tutoring, and computer lab access.
- Conner Museum of Natural History and Marion Ownbey Herbarium offer specimens of animals and plants for research and study.
Checksheets
*If you are having difficulty accessing this content, please contact Anna Chow (ychow@wsu.edu)
Contact School of Biological Sciences
sbs.wsu.edu
sbs@wsu.edu
509-335-3553
Advisors
Brooke Wolf, Ed.M.
Academic Advising Manager
wolfb@wsu.edu
Abelson 301C
509-335-3553
Susan Schroeder
Academic Coordinator / Advisor 2
schroedersa@wsu.edu
Abelson 301E
509-335-3553
Dawn Pollard
Academic Coordinator / Advisor 1
aud.vannuland@wsu.edu
Abelson 301D
509-335-3553
R. Dave Evans
Professor and Associate Director
rdevans@wsu.edu
509-335-3553