Biology Major
Requirements
Degree Requirements
This major is available as a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree, as defined in the section on degree requirements for all majors in this catalog.
Major Requirements
40-41 credits from within the department, plus an additional 12 CHEM credits, for a combined total of 52-53 credits:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core classes required of all biology majors: | ||
| BIOL 210 | PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY 1,2 | 4 |
| BIOL 211 | PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY 1,2 | 4 |
| BIOL 270 | GENETICS 1 | 5 |
| BIOL 285 | PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGY 1 | 5 |
| BIOL 400 | MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY 1 | 5 |
| BIOL 450 | EVOLUTION 1 | 5 |
| BIOL 486 | SENIOR COMPREHENSIVE EXAM | 1 |
| Select three additional BIOL courses from the following electives: 2 | 11-12 | |
| PLANT BIOLOGY | ||
| NW ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL WRITING | ||
| PLANTS AND SOCIETY | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS: JAN TERM TRAVEL | ||
| TOPICS IN BIOLOGY | ||
| INSECT BIOLOGY | ||
| BIOINFORMATICS | ||
| BIOL & IDENTIFICATION OF WOODY PLANTS | ||
| GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY | ||
| MARINE ECOLOGY | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS: JAN TERM TRAVEL | ||
| ANIMAL BEHAVIOR | ||
| ANIMAL DEVELOPMENT | ||
| BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY | ||
| Biology Majors are required to take the following Chemistry courses: | ||
| CHEM 210 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY | 4 |
| CHEM 211 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY | 4 |
| CHEM 321 | ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | 4 |
| Total Credits | 52-53 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| The following courses are not required but may be advised based on your career path; these courses count toward total credits required for graduation. | ||
| RESEARCH METHODS | ||
| NUCLEIC ACID SEQUENCING | ||
| SOPHOMORE SEMINAR IN BIOLOGY | ||
| JUNIOR SEMINAR: TOPICS IN BIOLOGICAL LITERATURE | ||
| PEER INSTRUCTION | ||
| INDEPENDENT STUDY | ||
| INTERNSHIP | ||
| INDEPENDENT RESEARCH | ||
- 1
Biology majors are required to earn a grade of C- or higher in this course.
- 2
For either a major or minor, students with an AP Biology test score of 4 or 5, or with a score of 5 or higher on the International Baccalaureate subject exam in biology, receive 4 elective credits of Biology. These students are then required to take two additional elective courses rather than three, however, they are not exempt from taking BIOL 210 and BIOL 211.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
- an understanding of the basic principles and concepts of biology;
- an advanced level of competence in four areas of biology: hereditary biology, cell biology, ecology, and evolutionary biology;
- the ability to think critically and quantitatively;
- the ability to synthesize information from a variety of different sources; and
- the ability to write and speak in the discipline.
Oregon Preliminary Teaching Licensure in Biology
Students also seeking an Oregon Preliminary Teaching Licensure in Biology must also complete a Secondary Education major with Licensure. In order to complete the Secondary Education major with Licensure, students should begin taking education courses no later than their sophomore year. The student must be advised by faculty in both majors. Alternatively, students may complete a Teaching Certificate program at Linfield after degree completion. Students should seek advice from the Education Department Director if you are considering the post-graduation certificate option.