Biology (BS)
Departmental Admission Requirements
Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Biology requires the following:
- Completion of BIOL 240, BIOL 241, BIOL 242, and BIOL 243 with a grade of C or better.
- Completion of MATH 111 with a grade of C or better OR placement into a mathematics course above the level of MATH 111 on the basis of either the University of Louisville mathematics placement examination or ACT/SAT score.
- A minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
The Change Major Request form can be found under the Academic Progress tile on ULink.
General Education Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education Requirements * | 31 | |
The following courses are required by the program and can satisfy the respective General Education Requirement: | ||
Unity of Life - S | ||
or BIOL 242 | Diversity of Life - S | |
Unity of Life Lab - SL | ||
or BIOL 243 | Diversity of Life Lab - SL | |
Calculus I - QR | ||
General Chemistry I - S |
*All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above). To complete the degree in the minimum number of hours listed on the Overview tab, some hours from the General Education Requirements must be satisfied by courses defined by the unit and/or program. If additional hours taken within the program also satisfy General Education requirements, students may need to take additional electives to satisfy the minimum hours required for the degree.
College/School Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Arts & Sciences Requirements | ||
GEN 100 | Student Success Center First Year Experience | 1 |
or GEN 101 | Arts & Sciences First Year Experience | |
Foreign Language 1 | 6-8 | |
Electives in Humanities or Social Sciences at the 300-level or above 2 | 6 | |
WR - two approved courses at the 300 level or above 3 | ||
Minimum Total Hours | 13-15 |
Program/Major Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Department of Biology 4 | ||
BIOL 240 | Unity of Life - S 5 | 3 |
BIOL 241 | Unity of Life Lab - SL | 1 |
BIOL 242 | Diversity of Life - S 5 | 3 |
BIOL 243 | Diversity of Life Lab - SL | 1 |
BIOL 329 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 3 |
BIOL 330 | Genetics and Molecular Biology | 3 |
BIOL 331 | Genetics and Molecular Biology: Laboratory | 2 |
BIOL 363 | Principles of Ecology | 3 |
BIOL 409 | Evolutionary Biology | 3 |
Minimum Total Hours | 22 |
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Supporting Courses | ||
MATH 205 | Calculus I - QR 5 | 4 |
BIOL 350 | Biostatistics | 3 |
CHEM 201 | General Chemistry I - S 5 | 3 |
CHEM 202 | General Chemistry II - S 5 | 3 |
CHEM 207 & CHEM 208 | Introduction to Chemical Analysis I - SL Introduction to Chemical Analysis II - SL | 2 |
CHEM 209 | Introduction to Chemical Analysis III | 1 |
CHEM 341 & CHEM 343 | Organic Chemistry I Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 5 |
PHYS 221 & PHYS 223 | Fundamentals of Physics I - S Fundamentals of Physics Lab I - SL | 4 |
Minimum Total Hours | 25 |
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Track Requirements (see Track Requirements tab) | 38-40 |
At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at the 300 level or above.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Culminating Undergraduate Experience (Graduation requirement) | ||
Requirement fulfilled by completing one of the following: | ||
Undergraduate Research - CUE 6 | ||
Undergraduate Research (WR) - CUE, WR 6 | ||
Evolutionary Biology | ||
Biology of the Cell - CUE, WR | ||
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant - CUE | ||
Global Change Ecology - CUE | ||
Developmental Biology - CUE | ||
Microbial Physiology - WR, CUE | ||
Biology Internship - CUE, WR | ||
Behavioral Endocrinology - CUE, WR | ||
Medicinal Plant Biochemistry - WR, CUE | ||
Experimental Design and Analysis - CUE, WR |
- 1
Completion of the second semester of a single foreign language; hours will vary depending on language taken
- 2
In addition to courses counted toward General Education
- 3
May be incorporated into other degree requirements
- 4
Note: BIOL 102, BIOL 104, BIOL 257, BIOL 258, BIOL 260, BIOL 261, BIOL 262 and BIOL 263 do not count toward electives in the major.
- 5
Fulfills General Education requirement.
- 6
A maximum of 6 hours of undergraduate research or independent study may count toward the major.
BS in Biology Tracks
Track in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Academic Plan Code(s): BIOLBS_MCD
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Supporting Courses | ||
CHEM 342 & CHEM 344 | Organic Chemistry II Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 5 |
PHYS 222 & PHYS 224 | Fundamentals of Physics II - S Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory II - SL | 4 |
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Track Core Courses | ||
BIOL 457 | Microbiology | 3 |
BIOL 443 | Developmental Biology - CUE | 3 |
BIOL 465 | Principles of Physiology | 3 |
BIOL 540 | Metabolic Biochemistry | 3 |
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Laboratory Experience | 1-4 | |
Select one of the following: | ||
Microbiology Laboratory | ||
Undergraduate Research | ||
or BIOL 405 | Undergraduate Research - CUE | |
or BIOL 406 | Undergraduate Research (WR) - CUE, WR | |
Biotechnology Methods - WR | ||
Medicinal Plant Biochemistry - WR, CUE | ||
Experimental Design and Analysis - CUE, WR | ||
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Track Electives | 9-10 | |
Select at least three courses from the following: | ||
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy | ||
Microbial Genetics and Pathogenesis - WR | ||
Biology of the Cell - CUE, WR | ||
Pharmacology and Toxicology | ||
Chemical Ecology - WR | ||
Introduction to Immunology - WR | ||
Cancer Biology | ||
Microbial Physiology - WR, CUE | ||
Behavioral Endocrinology - CUE, WR | ||
Endocrinology | ||
Environmental Physiology | ||
Gene Structure and Function - WR | ||
Evolutionary Medicine | ||
Chronic Disease Biology | ||
Biology Electives (300 level or higher) | 5-7 | |
Minimum Total Hours | 38-40 |
Track in Ecology
Academic Plan Code(s): BIOLBS_ECO
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Supporting Courses | ||
Select two of the following courses: | 5-6 | |
Geology for Scientists and Engineers | ||
Climate Science | ||
Biogeography | ||
Geomorphology | ||
Introduction to Remote Sensing | ||
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | ||
Urban Demography and GIS | ||
Select one of the following two sequences: | 4-5 | |
Fundamentals of Physics II - S Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory II - SL | ||
Organic Chemistry II Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | ||
Ecology Track Core Courses | ||
BIOL 401 | Advanced Ecology | 3 |
BIOL 563 | Population and Community Ecology | 3 |
Ecology Track Electives | ||
Select at least one course from each of the following three categories | ||
Plant Ecology | 3 | |
Plant Biology - WR | ||
Plant Taxonomy & Ecology - WR | ||
Chemical Ecology - WR | ||
Animal Ecology | 3 | |
Vertebrate Zoology | ||
Animal Behavior | ||
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy | ||
Entomology | ||
Behavioral Ecology | ||
Ornithology | ||
Environmental Physiology | ||
Selected Topics (Invertebrate Zoology) | ||
Community Ecology | 3 | |
Evolutionary Ecology of Disease | ||
Global Change Ecology - CUE | ||
Ecology of Urban and Suburban Landscapes | ||
Ecosystems Ecology | ||
Conservation Biology | ||
Select one additional courses from any of the three categories above | 3 | |
Biology electives at the 300 level or above | 11 | |
Minimum Total Hours | 38-40 |
Flight Plan
Track in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Year 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | |
GEN 100 or GEN 101 | Student Success Center First Year Experience or Arts & Sciences First Year Experience | 1 |
BIOL 240 | Unity of Life - S 1 | 3 |
BIOL 241 | Unity of Life Lab - SL | 1 |
CHEM 201 & CHEM 207 & CHEM 208 | General Chemistry I - S Introduction to Chemical Analysis I - SL Introduction to Chemical Analysis II - SL | 5 |
Foreign Language 1 2 | 3-4 | |
ENGL 101 | Introduction to College Writing - WC | 3 |
Hours | 16-17 | |
Spring | ||
BIOL 242 | Diversity of Life - S 1 | 3 |
BIOL 243 | Diversity of Life Lab - SL | 1 |
CHEM 202 & CHEM 209 | General Chemistry II - S Introduction to Chemical Analysis III | 4 |
MATH 205 | Calculus I - QR | 4 |
Foreign Language 2 2 | 3-4 | |
Hours | 15-16 | |
Year 2 | ||
Fall | ||
BIOL 329 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 3 |
CHEM 341 & CHEM 343 | Organic Chemistry I Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 5 |
ENGL 102 | Intermediate College Writing - WC | 3 |
General Education: Cardinal Core Oral Communication - OC 1 | 3 | |
Hours | 14 | |
Spring | ||
BIOL 330 | Genetics and Molecular Biology | 3 |
BIOL 331 | Genetics and Molecular Biology: Laboratory | 2 |
CHEM 342 & CHEM 344 | Organic Chemistry II Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 5 |
PHYS 221 & PHYS 223 | Fundamentals of Physics I - S Fundamentals of Physics Lab I - SL | 4 |
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities Global Diversity - AHD2 1 | 3 | |
Hours | 17 | |
Year 3 | ||
Fall | ||
BIOL 363 | Principles of Ecology | 3 |
BIOL 540 | Metabolic Biochemistry | 3 |
Select one of the following lab experiences: 3 | 1-3 | |
Microbiology Laboratory | ||
Undergraduate Research | ||
Undergraduate Research - CUE | ||
Undergraduate Research (WR) - CUE, WR | ||
Biotechnology Methods - WR | ||
Medicinal Plant Biochemistry - WR, CUE | ||
Experimental Design and Analysis - CUE, WR | ||
PHYS 222 | Fundamentals of Physics II - S | 3 |
PHYS 224 | Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory II - SL | 1 |
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities -AH 1 | 3 | |
Hours | 14-16 | |
Spring | ||
BIOL 465 | Principles of Physiology | 3 |
BIOL 350 | Biostatistics | 3 |
Biology MCD elective 1 (choose one) | 3-4 | |
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy | ||
Microbial Genetics and Pathogenesis - WR | ||
Biology of the Cell - CUE, WR | ||
Chemical Ecology - WR | ||
Introduction to Immunology - WR | ||
Microbial Physiology - WR, CUE | ||
Behavioral Endocrinology - CUE, WR | ||
Endocrinology | ||
Environmental Physiology | ||
Gene Structure and Function - WR | ||
Evolutionary Medicine | ||
Chronic Disease Biology | ||
Biology elective | 3-4 | |
Humanities/Social Science/Biology WR course (300 level or above) 4 | 3 | |
Hours | 15-17 | |
Year 4 | ||
Fall | ||
BIOL 409 | Evolutionary Biology | 3 |
BIOL 457 | Microbiology | 3 |
Biology MCD elective 2 (choose one) | 3-4 | |
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy | ||
Microbial Genetics and Pathogenesis - WR | ||
Biology of the Cell - CUE, WR | ||
Chemical Ecology - WR | ||
Introduction to Immunology - WR | ||
Microbial Physiology - WR, CUE | ||
Behavioral Endocrinology - CUE, WR | ||
Endocrinology | ||
Environmental Physiology | ||
Gene Structure and Function - WR | ||
Evolutionary Medicine | ||
Chronic Disease Biology | ||
Humanities/Social Science/Biology Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
General Education: Cardinal Core Historical Perspective – SBH 1 | 3 | |
Hours | 15-16 | |
Spring | ||
BIOL 443 | Developmental Biology - CUE | 3 |
Biology MCD Elective 3 (choose one) | 3-4 | |
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy | ||
Microbial Genetics and Pathogenesis - WR | ||
Biology of the Cell - CUE, WR | ||
Chemical Ecology - WR | ||
Introduction to Immunology - WR | ||
Microbial Physiology - WR, CUE | ||
Behavioral Endocrinology - CUE, WR | ||
Endocrinology | ||
Environmental Physiology | ||
Gene Structure and Function - WR | ||
Evolutionary Medicine | ||
Chronic Disease Biology | ||
Humanities/Social Science/Biology Elective (300 level or above) | 3-4 | |
Humanities/Social Science/Biology WR Course (300 level or above) 4 | 3 | |
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences US Diversity - SBD1 1 | 3 | |
Hours | 15-17 | |
Minimum Total Hours | 121-130 |
- 1
Fulfills the requirement for one of two required Gen Ed courses. However, only one Gen Ed course from each program will be counted towards your degree.
- 2
Students with high school language experience or multilingual backgrounds should consult the Classical and Modern Languages department for information on partially or completely satisfying the language requirements through testing.
- 3
This is a good time to think about performing undergraduate research. Look at faculty websites here and at the HSC, then email faculty whose research you find interesting. See if they have openings.
- 4
Biology WR courses that fit well in this track include: BIOL 359, BIOL 415, BIOL 416, BIOL 480, BIOL 485, BIOL 511, BIOL 541, and BIOL 542 but note that only some of these are offered in a given semester. BIOL 406 (undergraduate research) would be appropriate if you plan to do an honors project, and is also a good source of writing credit. You MUST have mentor approval.
Track in Ecology
Year 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | |
GEN 100 or GEN 101 | Student Success Center First Year Experience or Arts & Sciences First Year Experience | 1 |
BIOL 240 | Unity of Life - S 1 | 3 |
BIOL 241 | Unity of Life Lab - SL | 1 |
CHEM 201 & CHEM 207 & CHEM 208 | General Chemistry I - S Introduction to Chemical Analysis I - SL Introduction to Chemical Analysis II - SL 1 | 5 |
MATH 205 | Calculus I - QR | 4 |
ENGL 101 | Introduction to College Writing - WC | 3 |
Hours | 17 | |
Spring | ||
BIOL 242 | Diversity of Life - S 1 | 3 |
BIOL 243 | Diversity of Life Lab - SL | 1 |
CHEM 202 & CHEM 209 | General Chemistry II - S Introduction to Chemical Analysis III | 4 |
ENGL 102 | Intermediate College Writing - WC | 3 |
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences - SB (PSYC 201) 1 | 3 | |
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities US Diversity – AHD1 (300 level or above) | ||
Hours | 14 | |
Year 2 | ||
Fall | ||
BIOL 329 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 3 |
CHEM 341 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
CHEM 343 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
Foreign Language 1 2 | 4 | |
General Education: Cardinal Core Oral Communication - OC (e.g., BIOL 203) | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
BIOL 330 | Genetics and Molecular Biology | 3 |
BIOL 331 | Genetics and Molecular Biology: Laboratory | 2 |
PHYS 221 | Fundamentals of Physics I - S | 3 |
PHYS 223 | Fundamentals of Physics Lab I - SL | 1 |
Foreign Language 2 2 | 4 | |
ENVS 363 | Climate Science (or other Ecology supporting course) | 3 |
Hours | 16 | |
Year 3 | ||
Fall | ||
BIOL 363 | Principles of Ecology | 3 |
BIOL 300 | Plant Biology - WR | 3 |
BIOL 404 | Undergraduate Research | 3 |
ENVS 365 | Biogeography | 3 |
PHYS 222 | Fundamentals of Physics II - S | 3 |
PHYS 224 | Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory II - SL | 1 |
Hours | 16 | |
Spring | ||
BIOL 350 | Biostatistics | 3 |
BIOL 457 | Microbiology (or other Biology elective) | 3 |
BIOL 458 | Microbiology Laboratory (or other Biology elective) | 1 |
BIOL 310 | Animal Behavior | 3 |
BIOL 406 | Undergraduate Research (WR) - CUE, WR | 3 |
Humanities/Social Science elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
Hours | 16 | |
Year 4 | ||
Fall | ||
BIOL 409 | Evolutionary Biology | 3 |
BIOL 562 | Ecosystems Ecology | 3 |
BIOL 401 | Advanced Ecology | 3 |
BIOL 304 | Plant Taxonomy & Ecology - WR | 3 |
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities Global Diversity – AHD2 1 | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
BIOL 563 | Population and Community Ecology | 3 |
BIOL 567 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
Humanities/Social Science elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
General Education: Cardinal Core Historical Perspective US Diversity – SBHD1 1 | 3 | |
Hours | 12 | |
Minimum Total Hours | 121 |
- 1
Fulfills the requirement for one of two required Gen Ed courses. However, only one Gen Ed course from each program will be counted towards your degree.
- 2
Students with high school language experience or multilingual backgrounds should consult the Classical and Modern Languages department for information on partially or completely satisfying the language requirements through testing.
Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan. What-if reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan. Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.
Flight Planner
The Flight Planner tool is available for you to create a personalized Flight Plan to graduation. Advisors have access to review your Flight Planner and can help you adjust it to ensure you remain on track to graduate in a timely manner.
To create these reports:
- Log into your ULink account.
- Click on the Academic Progress tile.
- Select the appropriate report.
- To run a Degree Audit report, click on "View my Degree Audit."
- To create a What-if report, click on "Create a What-if Advisement Report."
- To run a Flight Planner report, click on "Use My Flight Planner."
Click here to run a Degree Audit report, create a What-if report, or run a Flight Planner report.