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Biology — 4-year 2025/2026

1. Biology

A background in biological sciences prepares graduates for diverse careers in healthcare, environmental conservation, biotechnology, agriculture, and education. Do you aspire to build such a foundation and want to start engaging with professionals in the field right away? The four-year “Biology Major” at CUE offers a fully professional teaching and research environment scaled to bring students into close contact with expert instructors, faculty research, and modern facilities from day one. The four-year Biology major is ideal for students seeking a career in Biology or for students continuing to professional programs in the health sciences.

At CUE, biology students can tailor their education through the general four-year program, or they may choose an emphasis in cell and molecular or integrative disciplines. Dive into the microscopic world of cell and molecular biology, unravel the complexities of biochemistry, explore the vast diversity of microorganisms in microbiology, understand the intricacies of organismal biology, and study ecosystems in ecology.

Applied learning is a cornerstone of CUE’s philosophy, with laboratory components available at every level of the program. Additionally, students can embark on independent research projects as early as year three, each paired with a faculty mentor or collaborator to guide and enrich their research experience.

A. General Academic Requirements

Biology:
42–60 credits required, to include:

  1. BES 107 and BES 108
  2. BIO 201 and BIO 207
  3. [ECOL 208 or BIO 208], and BIO 227
  4. BIO 470 and BIO 480
  5. 18-36 credits of unspecified senior-level BIO or ECOL courses, of which at least 12 credits must be at the 300- or 400-level

In addition to the above, students must complete:

  1. CH 101 and CH 261
  2. BIOCH200
  3. MAT 151 and 3 credits of unspecified MAT courses.
  4. 6 credits of courses offered by the Departments of Social Sciences or Psychology (CNST, ECO, HIS, INDG, POEC, PSCI, PSY, SOC)
  5. 3 credits of ENG courses
  6. 3 additional credits of courses offered by the Departments of Literature and Languages, Religious Studies and Philosophy, or Fine Arts (ARAB, ARTH, CHIN, CLAS, CLIT, CREE, DRA, ENG, FR, GERM, GRK, HEBR, LAT, MUS, MUP, MUPB, MUPE, MUPH, MUPK, MUPP, MUPS, MUPV, MUPW, MUED264, PHIL, POPC, REL, SPA, WRI)

In addition to the above, students must present:

  1. AIT 100

Permissible minors: All minors listed in section 10.6 other than Biology.

Emphasis in Cell and Molecular Biology:
54–60 credits required, to include:

  1. BES 107 and BES 108
  2. BIO 201 and BIO 207
  3. BIO 265
  4. [ECOL 208 or BIO 208] and BIO 227
  5. 12 credits chosen from
    • BIO 302,
    • BIO 307,
    • BIO 344,
    • BIO 350,
    • BIO 355,
    • BIO 366,
    • BIO 371,
    • BIO 421, or
    • BIO 465
  6. BIO 470 and BIO 480
  7. BIO 488 and BIO 489
  8. 9–15 credits of unspecified senior-level BIO courses.

In addition to the above, students must complete:

  1. CH 101 and CH 102
  2. CH 261 and CH 263
  3. BIOCH200
  4. MAT 151 and 3 credits of unspecified MAT courses.
  5. 6 credits of courses offered by the Departments of Social Sciences or Psychology (CNST, ECO, HIS, INDG, POEC, PSCI, PSY, SOC).
  6. 3 credits of ENG courses.
  7. 3 additional credits of courses offered by the Departments of Fine Arts, Literature and Languages, Philosophy, Religious Studies & Classics (ARAB, ARTH, CHIN, CLAS, CLIT, CREE, DRA, ENG, FR, GERM, GRK, HEBR, LAT, MUS, MUP, MUPB, MUPE, MUPH, MUPK, MUPP, MUPS, MUPV, MUPW, MUED264, PHIL, POPC, REL, SPA, WRI).

In addition to the above, students must present:

  1. AIT 100

Permissible minors: All minors listed in section 10.6 other than Biology.

Emphasis in Integrative Biology:
51–60 credits required, to include:

  1. BES 107 and BES 108
  2. BIO 207 and BIO 265
  3. ECOL 208 or BIO 208 or ENSC208
  4. BIO 227
  5. BIO 243 or BIO 245
  6. 3 credits chosen from
    • BIO 201,
    • BIO 355, and
    • BIO 465
  7. One of
    • ECOL 250 or BIO 250,
    • BIO 225,
    • BIO 350
  8. One of
    • BIO 304,
    • ECOL 308 or BIO 308,
    • ECOL 339 or BIO 339
  9. BIO 470 and BIO 480
  10. BIO 488 and BIO 489
  11. 9–18 credits of unspecified 300- or 400-level BIO or ECOL courses.

In addition to the above, students must complete:

  1. CH 101 and CH 102
  2. CH 261
  3. BIOCH200
  4. MAT 151 and 3 credits of unspecified MAT courses.
  5. 6 credits of courses offered by the Departments of Social Sciences or Psychology (CNST, ECO, HIS, INDG, POEC, PSCI, PSY, SOC).
  6. 3 credits of ENG courses.
  7. 3 additional credits of courses offered by the Departments of Fine Arts, Literature and Languages, Philosophy, Religious Studies & Classics (ARAB, ARTH, CHIN, CLAS, CLIT, CREE, DRA, ENG, FR, GERM, GRK, HEBR, LAT, MUS, MUP, MUPB, MUPE, MUPH, MUPK, MUPP, MUPS, MUPV, MUPW, MUED264, PHIL, POPC, REL, SPA, WRI).

In addition to the above, students must present:

  1. AIT 100

Permissible minors: All minors listed in section 10.6 other than Biology.

General Academic Requirements ↩