Undergraduate Program in
Biology and Medicine

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY at the UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER

   B.A. in Biology

 
Anthony Olek

Dr. Anthony J. Olek, Track Coordinator and Advisor
 

The B.A. in Biology differs from the B.S. tracks in that it is more general in its subject matter and requires fewer courses/credits, thus offering greater flexibility in total programming. Students who have a definite interest in one area of the Biological Sciences choose a B.S. track.

*Students intending to declare a BA in Biology major should meet with the Administrator for the UPBM, Marianne Arcoraci, to create an academic plan before meeting with the academic advisor for the BIO track. Students may either visit the UPBM office located in Hutchison Hall, room 488 or contact the office by e-mail (marianne.arcoraci@rochester.edu) to schedule an appointment.
 
I. INTRODUCTORY COURSES 3 courses, 12 credits (cr)		  
  1. BIO 110 Principles of Biology I (4 cr)
or
 BIO 112 Perspectives in Biology I (4 cr)  
There is no companion laboratory (lab); however, please note that concurrent enrollment in a two hour Workshop is required.
     
2. BIO 111 Principles of Biology II (4 cr)
or
 BIO 113 Perspectives in Biology II (4 cr)
BIO 111P  Introductory Biology Laboratory (Lab) is the companion laboratory (lab) for BIO  111 (1 cr)
BIO 113P  Perspectives in Biology Laboratory (Lab) is the companion laboratory (lab) for BIO  113
     
3. BIO 198 Principles of Genetics (4 cr)
or
 BIO 190 Genetics and the Human Genome (4 cr)
BIO 198P Principles of Genetics Laboratory (Lab) is the companion laboratory (lab) for BIO 198 (1 cr)
     
     
 
II. LABORATORY (LAB) EXPERIENCE 1 &1/2 laboratories (labs)		  
  Any combination of laboratories (labs) listed below will satisfy the laboratory (lab) requirement. Most students complete BIO 111P and BIO 198P concurrently with the lecture course and then choose a third laboratory (lab) that complements an interest.  
 
  1/2 laboratories (labs) meet once per week   *Full laboratories (labs) meet twice per week
  BIO 111P Introductory Biology Laboratory (Lab) (1cr)   BIO 225 Laboratory (Lab) in Ecology & Evolutionary BIology (4 cr)
  BIO 198P Principles of Genetics Laboratory (Lab) (1 cr)   BIO 228 Laboratory (Lab) in Cell and Developmental Biology (4 cr) - (Still applicable to major if already taken)
  BIO 151 Intro to Biochemistry Laboratory (Lab) (1 cr)   BIO 268 Laboratory in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (4 cr)
  BIO 203 Mammalian Anatomy (4 cr)
laboratory (lab) included in course)		   BCH 208 Laboratory (Lab) in Biochemistry (4 cr)
  BIO 204 Mammalian Physiology (4 cr laboratory (lab) included in course)   MBI 221 Laboratory (Lab) in Microbiology (4 cr)
  BIO 253 Computational Biology
(4 cr laboratory (lab) included in course)		   NSC 203 Laboratory (Lab) in Neurobiology (4 cr)
  BIO 258 Human Anatomy
(4 cr laboratory (lab) included in course)		   BIO 395 (approved by program director) (4 cr)
  EES 201 Evolution of the Earth (4 cr laboratory (lab) included in course)    
        Full laboratories (labs) may also be used to satisfy an advanced course requirement see below.
     
     
 
III. ADVANCED COURSES 2 courses, 8 credits		  
  1. ______ Pick one from Group A BIO 205 Evolution
BIO 206 Eukaryotic Genomes
BIO 232 Genetic Diversity in Human Populations
BIO 247 Environmental Animal Physiology
BIO 253 Computational Biology
BIO 260 Animal Behavior
BIO 263 Ecology
BIO 265 Molecular Evolution
EES 201 Evolution of the Earth		  
     
2. ______ Pick one from Group B BIO 250 Biochemistry
BIO 202 Molecular Biology
BIO 210 Molecular Cell Biology
BIO 215 Molecular Biology of Cell Signaling
BIO 226 Developmental Biology
     
     
 
IV. ELECTIVE /DIVERSIFICATION 3 courses, 12 credits		  
  1. ______ Three 200-level courses are to be selected from any of those offered through the Undergraduate Program in Biology and Medicine, including approved Independent Research 395. Biology Elective Courses must be 200-level or higher.

For lists of UPBM elective/diversification courses, see UPBM Course Offerings.		  
2. ______
3. ______
     
     
 
V. ALLIED FIELD COURSES 8 courses with indicated laboratories (labs)		  
  Requirements Approved Courses  
1. Chemical Concepts I : CHM 131 laboratory is included
2. Chemical Concepts II: CHM 132 laboratory is included
3. Organic Chemistry I: CHM 203 with CHM 207 laboratory or CHM 171Q with CHM 173Q laboratory (Will need to register seperatley for laboratory)
  Note: CHM 171Q and CHM 172Q, Quest Organic Chemistry with CHM 210 will also fulfill the chemistry requirements.
4. Physics I: PHY 113, PHY 121, or PHY 141
5. Calculus I: MTH 141, MTH 161, MTH 161Q, or MTH 171Q
6. Calculus II: MTH 142, MTH 162, MTH 162Q, or MTH 172Q
   
  For Requirements 7 and 8 Pick Two Courses from Lists Below Note: Courses must be from two different areas of study:
7. _____ Math: MTH 163, 164, 235, 207, or 202
Statistics: STT 201, 203, 212, 216, or 221
Computer Programming: CSC 161, 170, 171, or ECE 114
Organic Chemistry: CHM 204
Physics: PHY 114, 122, or 142

STT 211, CSC 108 AND CSC 110 ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE
8. _____
     
     
 
VI. UPPER-LEVEL WRITING REQUIREMENT (2 courses)		  
  1. ______ All biology majors must complete two upper-level writing courses. Although students are strongly encouraged to complete both upper-level writing requirements with Biological Science courses; a natural science upper-level writing course can be used to meet one of the requirements. Independent Research (395W) courses may also be used to satisfy an upper-level writing requirement as well.

For lists of UPBM elective/diversification courses, see UPBM Course Offerings. . Please note that course titles with an " * " indicates an optional upper-level writing component is offered		  
2. ______
     
     
 
 
 

NOTE: Students planning to attend medical school or graduate school should take two semesters of organic chemistry with laboratory (lab) and two semesters of physics with laboratory (lab) which are required by most medical schools and may be required by certain graduate programs. Consult with you faculty advisor regarding these courses.

In addition, be sure to consult our General Degree Requirements and Writing Policy when constructing your program.