Prospective Students
Biology at the University of Oregon
Thank you sincerely for your interest in studying Biology at the University of Oregon. We have developed what we feel is one of the most outstanding programs in the country—one which will prepare you for a multitude of options following graduation including graduate schools and careers in biomedicine and research, allied health, private industry, and education. During the past 10 years Biology faculty members have won over 75 international or national research awards and 10 University or national teaching awards. We are even more proud of our students who have been accepted to MD, PhD, MS, and internship programs throughout the United States.
We are delighted that you've considered our Department. This handout will give you a brief overview of the requirements for achieving a Biology major. We also encourage you to investigate pursuing one of our optional Emphasis Areas in Ecology & Evolution, Human Biology, Marine Biology, Molecular Cellular & Developmental Biology, and Neuroscience & Behavior. These focus areas can help guide you through the Biology major upper-division courses based on your specific interests and career goals. Should you choose to complete the requirements for an Emphasis Area, you will receive written documentation upon graduation. If you would like more details, please be sure to call us at 541-346-4525, visit our outstanding Advising staff in the Biology Advising Center.
A brief review of some of the requirements for the Biology major:
MATH
Most students take mathematics their first year here. Unless you have prior Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate/College Now credit for college calculus you will need to take a math placement test (usually during IntroDUCKtion) to determine which class is the most appropriate. The test will more accurately reflect your level if you review the math you’ve done in the past. Placement information and sample questions can be viewed at http://www.uoregon.edu/~testing/math.htm. The math sequence for Biology majors is MATH 111 (College Algebra), MATH 112 (Elementary Functions), and MATH 246 &247 (Calculus for the Biological Sciences I & II).
CHEMISTRY
General - The CH 221, 222, 223 sequence with labs (CH 227, 228, 229), is the one taken most commonly by Biology majors. To be eligible for this sequence you must have had chemistry in high school and have completed or be enrolled in MATH 111 College Algebra. If you haven't had previous chemistry, you should take CH 111 Introduction to Chemical Principles (offered in the Summer & Fall terms), prior to taking CH 221. There is a highly challenging honors general chemistry sequence (CH 224H, 225H, 226H) you might be eligible to take, if you have an excellent background in chemistry, physics and math, and you have had or are enrolled currently in calculus. The laboratories, CH 237, 238, 239, are corequisites for this honors sequence.
Organic – For the Biology Major, a minimum of two Organic Chemistry courses are required. After CH 331 Organic Chemistry I, Biology majors are required to successfully complete one additional Organic Chemistry course, either CH 335 Organic Chemistry II or CH 336 Organic Chemistry III. Those interested in graduate programs in medicine, dentistry, biomedicine or allied health should complete a full year of Organic Chemistry lectures (CH 331, 335, 336) with two laboratories (CH 337, 338). Many medical schools require upper-division Genetics and/or Biochemistry, thus we suggest BI 320 Molecular Genetics and/or CH 360 Physiological Biochemistry. Students are urged to contact specific institutions to confirm admission requirements.
PHYSICS
The Biology major requires a year sequence of General Physics, most commonly PH 201,202,203, which has MATH 112 as a prerequisite. Some students prefer to take physics with calculus, which requires MATH 246/251 as a pre- or corequisite. Physics laboratories are not required for the Biology major, but do remember that medical schools and many other graduate and health professional programs often require physics with laboratories.
BIOLOGY
Biology majors have two options for completing lower division Biology to prepare them for upper division course work: (1) the Biology Foundations sequence or (2) the General Biology sequence. The Biology Foundations sequence consists of three 5-credit courses each with laboratories beginning in the Fall term: BI 251 Biochemistry & Cell Physiology, BI 252 Genetics, and BI 253 Evolution & Biodiversity. This sequence is based on a molecular, genetic, developmental, mechanistic approach and is for students with a strong background in Biology and Chemistry or those planning on attending medical or dental school. To begin BI 251, usually during the first term of their Sophomore year, students must have completed or be enrolled in CH 331 Organic Chemistry I. The General Biology sequence consists of four 4-credit courses each with laboratories/discussions beginning in either the Fall or Winter term: BI 211 Cells, BI 212 Organisms, BI 213 Populations, and BI 214 Biochemistry & Genetics. The General Biology sequence uses a whole organism or an ecology-evolution approach and is for students interested in more systems and organismal physiology. To begin BI 211, students must have completed a college-level, general chemistry course (eg, CH 221 General Chemistry I or CH 111 Introduction to Chemical Principles). After completing the Foundations or General Biology sequence, students must successfully complete (> C-/P) 44 credits of upper-division Biology. Please see the green handout Requirements for the Biology Major for specific details about upper division requirements.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) OR ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) CREDIT
A score of 5 or more on the IB higher level Biology exam provides 12 credits for the General Biology courses BI 211 Cells, 212 Organisms, 213 Populations. An AP Biology Score of 4 or higher provides eight general education University credits of 100-level Biology (BI 1xxT, BI 1xxT) and 4 credits for the first course in our General Biology sequence (BI 211 Cells). AP credit for Chemistry is granted as CH 221, 222, 223 with scores of 3, 4 or 5. Credit is not awarded for the laboratory so students are required to take the laboratory sequence (CH 227, 228, 229). We encourage you to discuss your placement and options with us.
ADJUSTMENT & SCHEDULING
To graduate in exactly four years, plan on taking an average of 15 hours per term to earn the total required 180 credits. [The average time from start to finish is ~4.3 yr.] Most students find that compared to their high school or community college classes, being successful in courses at Oregon requires reassessing priorities and refining study skills. Please let us know if we can help you during this adjustment process. A typical first term schedule might include Math (4 cr), Chemistry (4 cr), Chemistry lab (2 cr), and Writing (4 cr) for a total of 14 hours. During the Fall term, students with a last name beginning with A-M are given priority in registering for Writing 121. During the Winter term, students with the last name N-Z have priority—so if your last name starts with N-Z, plan on taking another course for Fall term— perhaps an Arts and Letters, Social Science, or Multicultural class. For the second term of writing, we suggest taking WR 123 due to its science-/research-based nature.
The Biology major is a very challenging one, likely one of the most difficult majors on campus. Yet, it is a major which prepares students for a multitude of outstanding fields. According to a US News & World Report, being a Biologist is the number-1 ranked and most satisfying profession out of the top 100 in the US! Jobs for Biology majors are also predicted to grow by at least 25% within the next few years—so if you are an excellent student in Biology at Oregon, your outlook for the future is more than promising! You’ll also be excited to know that 97% of Oregon graduates are satisfied with their skills, job, and pay.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
As you proceed through your major realize that there are other opportunities to enrich your education both on- and off-campus. We encourage you to consider our outstanding program in Marine Biology at Charleston. Many students take advantage of a fall, spring, or summer term at OIMB, and have enjoyed it immeasurably. Also, you may have the opportunity to pursue a Biology degree with Honors, enjoy an internship experience, or work as a teaching or research assistant, peer advisor, or computer lab aide. Please let us know if we can help you in any way. Thank you sincerely for considering Biology as a major. We are certain you’ve made an exceptional choice! We look forward to working with you closely over the next several years.
Sincerely,
V. Pat Lombardi
Biology Advising Center Director
77 Klamath Hall