Undergraduate Areas of Study

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES: A major in Biological Sciences is designed to offer you rigorous exposure to the modern experimental disciplines within biology. Our curriculum is designed to provide broad training from which you can pursue a career, professional school or graduate school in a range of areas. In the introductory courses you will clone genes, characterize enzymes, and use computers to simulate the effects of environmental stress on the population growth of organisms. With the help of the faculty, you will choose from these Biological Sciences specializations for your advanced program:

Cell Biology and Genetics (CEBG)—Emphasizes cellular biology of animals, plants and microbes and examines cellular structures and functions, and mechanisms of heredity and gene expression. This specialization, along with the biochemistry major, provides an excellent foundation for work in the growing field of biotechnology.

Ecology and Evolution (ECEV)—Focuses on the interaction of organisms with their environment and the evolutionary adaptations that allow organisms to fill specific environmental niches.

General Biology (GENB)—Provides broad training in biology at the cellular and organismal levels; prepares students for careers, graduate school, and the health professions.

Microbiology (MICB)—Examines the role of bacteria and viruses in disease, generation of the immune response to infections, gene replication and expression, cellular metabolism, and application of microbiological principles to genetic engineering.

Physiology and Neurobiology (PHNB)—Investigates the structure and function of organisms from the cellular to the system level of organization. The curriculum includes courses in physiology and cellular biology.

CHEMISTRY (CHEM) & BIOCHEMISTRY (BCHM)—Chemistry is the central science; it bridges with physics and materials science, with the biological sciences and medicine, and with the earth and planetary sciences. Chemists and biochemists work on new product development and testing, measurements for standardization, and development of new analytical techniques. Environmental chemists measure toxins in the environment, conduct research into the biochemical reaction mechanisms of possible pollutants, and provide insights into the development of new compounds that are less toxic to humankind and the environment. Many students with degrees in chemistry or biochemistry choose to pursue an advanced degree in graduate school, or to attend medical, dental, pharmacology, or veterinary schools.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLICY - Biodiversity and Conservation (ENSP)—Provides a background in the biological principles that influence the diversity of life, with a focus on the disciplines of ecology and evolution, and the processes that create and reduce biological diversity.