Biology (BA/BS)

Thank you sincerely for your interest in studying Biology at the University of Oregon, a member of the Association of American Universities, that includes 71 Universities (69 in the US and 2 in Canada) recognized throughout the world for their leading research and teaching. We have developed an outstanding major that will prepare you for a multitude of options including graduate schools and careers in biomedicine and research, allied health, private industry and education. Our nationally and internationally recognized graduates have completed top MD, PhD, MD-PhD, MS programs and internships all over the world. Emphasis Areas for the Biology major include Ecology & Evolution, Human Biology, Marine Biology, Molecular Cellular & Developmental Biology and Neuroscience & Behavior.

Biology faculty who conduct research and teach specialize in cellular and molecular biology, developmental biology, ecology and evolution, human biology, marine biology, neuroscience and behavior, and bioinformatics. Our students learn and work alongside scientists making important contributions in their field of expertise. We foster collaboration among students, staff and faculty across Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Human Physiology, Physics and Psychology Departments. The first ever Institute of Molecular Biology including research faculty from multiple departments was established at Oregon in 1959. So, the rich history and interdisciplinary nature of our department creates many opportunities for students after they graduate. Our graduates have secured a variety of jobs working with:

• Biomedical research groups
• Biotechnology companies
• Clinics and hospitals
• Industry and laboratories
• Inspection agencies and control boards
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Private research institutions
• Public health departments
• State and federal government agencies
• Universities and Colleges
• Zoos and aquariums

We are excited that you have considered Biology as a major and look forward to meeting with you soon here on campus in Eugene.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• An understanding of the process and application of scientific inquiry; the ability to develop well-reasoned hypotheses and to design experiments by which to test them.
• An ability to apply mathematical and statistical approaches to understanding biological information; an ability to interpret graphical representations of biological information.
• A broad-based knowledge of biology at multiple levels and in interdisciplinary contexts; competency in reading, understanding, and critically evaluating scientific information across major areas of the curriculum, from molecules to ecosystems.
• An ability to communicate scientific ideas clearly, both orally and in writing to both general and professional audiences.
• An ability to understand the relationship between science and modern society as well as the potential impact of scientific discovery on the future.
• An ability to use modeling and simulation to study biological systems.

Fundamental Concepts: 

• Evolution and biological diversity: all living organisms are genetically related; the diversity of life evolved over time by processes of mutation and selection.

• Structure and function: Basic units of structure give rise to the function of all living things.

• Information flow, exchange, and storage: Properties of organisms emerge from the flow, exchange, expression, and storage of genetic information.

• Pathways and transformations of energy and matter: Biological systems grow and change by processes based on chemical transformation pathways and are governed by the laws of thermodynamics.

• Systems: Living systems are interconnected and interacting.

Biology Major Requirements

¹

A course in statistics is required if an ecology and evolution or neuroscience and behavior emphasis area is selected.

²

Graduate programs in medicine and allied health typically require additional organic chemistry lectures, Organic Chemistry II (CH 335),  Organic Chemistry III (CH 336), and laboratories (CH 337, 338) beyond that required by the biology major. Often, course work in biochemistry and genetics as well as other additional courses are typically required or preferred. Please consult the Health Professions Program for further details.

³

Graduate programs in medicine and allied health typically require additional laboratories (PHYS 204, 205, 206) or three terms of Foundations of Physics Laboratory (PHYS 290) beyond that required by the biology major.  Please consult the Health Professions Program for further details.

⁴

Students must complete a minimum of 44 upper-division biology credits. A maximum of 20 credits may be form other departments. For a complete list of approved courses and other details about upper-division requirements, see the online requirements for the biology major.

⁵

Visit the Biology Advising Center for a list of approved courses.

Area I Courses

Area II Courses

¹

Both BI 330 and BI 331 must be taken to satisfy the Area II requirement.

Area III Courses

Laboratory or Fieldwork Courses

¹

Both BI 330 and BI 331 must be taken.

Modeling, Analysis, Programming, and Statistics (MAPS) Courses

Approved Courses from Other Departments

Emphasis Areas for the Biology Major

Fulfilling the requirements for an undergraduate degree in biology provides a solid, general foundation in the discipline. Some biology majors choose to concentrate their upper-division course work in one of five emphasis areas:

• ecology and evolution
• human biology
• marine biology
• molecular, cellular, and developmental biology
• neuroscience and behavior

The requirements listed for each emphasis may be fulfilled as the student completes the upper-division course work for the biology major. Though not required, emphasis areas are designed to guide students, based on their specific interests, through upper-division course work. Upon graduation, students who complete the requirements for an emphasis area receive a written recognition from the department.

Visit biology.uoregon.edu/undergraduate-program/requirements for the current requirements for each emphasis area, or contact the Biology Advising Center at 541-346-4525 for more information.

Honors Program in Biology

The honors program requires substantial laboratory or field research supervised by a faculty member. Biology majors who satisfy the following requirements are eligible to graduate with honors:

1. Registration for the honors program through the Biology Advising Center, which includes obtaining an acceptance signature from the faculty research advisor, before beginning research
2. Completion of all requirements for the major in biology
3. Attainment of a minimum 3.30 GPA in all upper-division biology courses (including 300- and 400-level approved courses outside the department; see a biology advisor for a list).  The GPA will be calculated for all courses in this category, regardless of the total number of credits.
4. Completion of a minimum of three terms of intensive research (summer session counts as a term); at least four terms and summer research experience are strongly encouraged
5. Completion of a minimum of 4 credits in Research: [Topic] (BI 401) under the supervision of a single faculty advisor.  Up to 4 credits may be applied towards the 44 upper-division elective Biology credits. (See #7 for Honors College students.)
6. Completion of a thesis, with the following requirements:
   1. Oversight by a thesis committee comprising two faculty members—a primary advisor and one faculty member on the Biology Undergraduate Affairs Committee
   2. A final version of the thesis must be provided to the committee one week prior to the thesis defense
   3. Both committee members must sign the thesis within one week of the thesis defense, and a final signed copy must be submitted to the Biology Advising Center
7. Thesis defense
   1. Thesis committee must attend the thesis defense.
   2. Defense must happen at least one week prior to the end of the term in which the student is graduating.
   3. The thesis defense will be an open seminar.  Other faculty, students, and staff will be encouraged to attend.

The chair of the Biology Undergraduate Affairs Committee will notify students during their senior year with the name of the committee member who will serve as their second thesis committee member. Students should contact both committee members via email sometime during the term before the defense to start working on a range of possible defense dates. For more information, contact the committee chair.

Four-Year Degree Plan

The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.

Bachelor of Arts in Biology

Bachelor of Science in Biology