• Build a strong foundation in the sciences.
• Use options to focus on depth and breadth of interest areas.
• Courses cover biology, including molecular and cell biology, physiology and development of animals and plants, conservation biology, disease biology, genetics and genomics, taxonomy and systematics, ecology, and evolutionary biology.
• Small class sizes in advanced courses.
• Opportunities for one-on-one research with biology faculty, including field and laboratory experiences.
• Gain skills in research design, data analysis, DNA and cell biological techniques, physiological diagnostics, ecological and environmental assessment, phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis, global complex systems analysis, computer modeling and simulations, scientific writing, and professional communications.
• Prepare for graduate and professional schools.
• Math, science, and engineering community residence halls with other entering students in shared classes provide opportunities for group study, free tutoring, and computer lab access.
• Conner Museum of Natural History and Marion Ownbey Herbarium offer specimens of animals and plants for research and study.

Certification Requirements

24 completed semester credits
2.0 minimum grade point average

Suggested Classes for First-Year Students

Two science classes
  OR
One science and one math
  PLUS
Two non-science classes each semester

Suggested Classes for Transfer Students

Core biology, physical sciences, mathematics, and statistics requirements and electives

Math Requirement

Math 140: Calculus for Life Scientists
  OR
Math 171: Calculus I

Core Courses

Biology 106: Introductory Biology: Organismal Biology
Biology 107: Introductory Biology: Cell Biology and Genetics
Biology 301: General Genetics
Biology 372: General Ecology
Biology 405: Principles of Organic Evolution

Chemistry 105: Principles of Chemistry I
Chemistry 106: Principles of Chemistry II
Chemistry 345: Organic Chemistry I

Math 140: Calculus for Life Scientists
Physics 101 and 102: General Physics
Statistics 212: Introduction to Statistical Methods
  OR
Statistics 412: Statistical Methods in Research

Graduation requirements

See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.

Good high school preparation in science and math; at least three years of science course work in high school recommended, including biology, chemistry, and physics

Good high school preparation in communication, including keen skills in reading, writing, and reasoning skills

Computer experience

As a biology major, you have access to exceptional library resources and research labs:

• Owen Science and Engineering Library, the largest science and engineering library in the Northwest
• Conner Museum of Natural History, which contains more than 56,000 specimens in research and display collections
• Ownbey Herbarium, which contains 277,000 specimens of preserved plants
• The Science Learning and Instruction Center, a resource center for science majors that provides computer access, auto-tutorial programs, and other media-assisted learning programs
• The Franceschi Microscopy and Imaging Center, a state-of-the-art facility where students learn electron microscopy
• The 800-acre Hudson Biological Preserve at Smoot Hill (15 miles from Pullman), which serves as a biological field station for students and faculty
• The James Entomological Collection, comprised of more than a million specimens of insects
• Mycological Herbarium, which contains more than 65,000 specimens of fungi

What you can do with a degree in Biology:

• Medicine, dentistry, and health fields

• Physical and occupational therapy

• Pharmacology, nutrition, and dietetics

• Veterinary medicine and animal care

• Fisheries and wildlife ecology

• Plant biology, agriculture, and horticulture

• Entomology

• Conservation and resource management

• Environmental assessment

• Ecological restoration

• Biotechnology and genetic engineering

• Forensics and pathology

• Public policy

• Science education

• Science writing and journalism

Skills you can market with a degree in Biology

• Individual curiosity and scientific creativity

• Research design and data analysis

• DNA and cell biological techniques

• Physiological diagnostics

• Ecological and environmental assessment

• Phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis

• Global complex systems analysis

• Computer modeling and simulations

• Scientific writing and professional communication