Biology, BS

Location(s): WWU - Bellingham

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This program of study includes the following concentration options:

Biomedical Sciences I Concentration (BMSI)
Biomedical Sciences II Concentration (BMSII)
Ecology, Biodiversity, and Organismal Biology Concentration (EBOB)
Genes, Genomes, and Evolution Concentration (GGE)
Marine Biology Concentration (MB)
Molecular, Cellular, and Development Biology Concentration (MCDB)
Secondary Education Concentration (SE)

Introduction

Biology is the study of living organisms. As scientists, biologists have three goals: (1) understanding biological systems, (2) generating and disseminating reliable data pertaining to biological systems, and (3) developing a deep understanding of the natural world that can inform solutions for the serious challenges facing humanity. The Bachelor of Science (BS) programs in Biology enable you to develop an integrated conceptual foundation in biology, as well as critical thinking skills, quantitative problem-solving abilities, leadership and team-building skills, and scientific research skills.

Students admitted to the biology major will receive an email message with instructions for officially declaring Biology as their major, and how to choose a (single) concentration.

Why Consider a Biology, BS major?

WWU Biology is distinguished by small class sizes and direct engagement with dedicated faculty who chose to come to our department because of its student-centered approach to education – we care about your success. Here, you will be part of an inclusive, welcoming, and engaging learning community that provides an abundance of experiential and place-based learning opportunities to help you grow as a scientist. For example, through upper-level laboratory courses and research experiences, you can access state-of-the-art research instrumentation, and explore the diversity of nearby habitats, from the Salish Sea to the Cascade Mountains.

Student Resources

Department website: Biology

Contact information: Maren Brinson and Alexis Donnelly, Biology 315, 360-650-6165, biologyadvising@wwu.edu

Department advising: Admitted and/or current students must meet with a Biology advisor.

Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.

Career Services Center: Connect major to a career

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Declaration form: Student Academic Declaration and Change Form

Admission and Declaration Process

Admission to the Biology Major is based upon an application procedure that considers prior academic performance (specifically GPA in prerequisite courses) and student responses to focused prompts.

Pre-major Declaration

Students who have begun the introductory biology (BIOL 204, BIOL 205, BIOL 206) series and/or the introductory chemistry series (CHEM 161/175, CHEM 162/176, and CHEM 163/225), but have not yet completed CHEM 163/225 and BIOL 206 may be granted pre-major status. Students who have been formally admitted into Western may declare a biology pre-major by filling out the Student Academic Declaration and Change Form. Pre-majors are assigned biology faculty advisors and receive helpful announcements regarding registration and other information of use to pre-majors.

Application to the Major

Students are eligible to apply to the Biology Major when they have completed BIOL 204, BIOL 205, CHEM 161/175, and CHEM 162/176 with grades of C- or higher. Application involves submitting a completed application form, including responding to prompts about the applicant’s experience, motivation, and goals. See the Biology Department’s website for more details, including information about application prompts, application deadlines, review timeline, and reapplication limits. The Biology Department’s website also has information specific to transfer students interested in applying for admission to the Biology Major, such as application eligibility and transfer course equivalencies.

Students are strongly encouraged to apply to the major at the beginning of the quarter in which they are enrolled in BIOL 206 and/or CHEM 163/225 to ensure timely progress towards graduation. Admission to the major following a successful application is contingent on completing both BIOL 206 and CHEM 163/225 with a grade of C- or higher.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors. A GPA of 2.50 or above in the major is required.

Requirements (99-103 credits)

Program credits comprise of 79 credits of required courses plus 20-24 credits that vary by required concentration.

Foundational Coursework (39 credits)

Biology Core (40 credits)

Introductory Courses (15 credits)

❑ BIOL 204 - Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity w/lab Credits: 5
❑ BIOL 205 - Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology w/lab Credits: 5
❑ BIOL 206 - Introduction to Organismal Biology w/lab Credits: 5

Upper-Division Lecture Courses (25 credits)

Note: Biology students are advised to take courses in the order below so that prerequisite coursework for each course is fulfilled.

Quarter 1
❑ BIOL 340 - Biostatistics Credits: 5
❑ BIOL 327 - Fundamentals of Molecular Biology Credits: 4
Quarter 2
❑ BIOL 321 - Genetics Credits: 4
❑ BIOL 328 - Cell Biology Credits: 4
Quarter 3
❑ BIOL 325 - Ecology Credits: 4
❑ BIOL 432 - Evolutionary Biology Credits: 4

Required Concentration (20-24 credits)

Each student must complete one of seven concentration options

Each concentration within the Biology BS is built upon a foundation of math, chemistry, and physics courses, 200- and 300- level biology courses, and one 400-level course in evolution. The fundamental knowledge you’ll gain about biology will provide you with a broader context for more focused upper-division studies. The primary differences among the concentrations lie in the choices of additional 300- and 400-level lab, lecture, and seminar courses. Concentrations have overlapping and extensive course options, so that within any concentration, you can choose to 1) gain a depth of knowledge in that area, and/or 2) integrate coursework among concentrations to create a personalized curriculum matching your interests and career aspirations.

All concentrations provide opportunities for you to apply knowledge, practice critical thinking, and undertake complex and quantitative problem solving in various settings. In lab courses, you will gain hands-on experience in experimental and observational approaches using modern biological research instrumentation. You will also have opportunities to engage in scientific discussions, work productively and collaboratively in teams, and communicate effectively as a scientist. As a declared major or pre-major, you will have an academic advisor who is a member of the Biology faculty. We recommend that you meet regularly with your academic advisor, who can help devise a course plan that will develop knowledge, skills, and abilities tailored to your interests and career paths.