BS in Biology
The Bachelor of Science degree exposes students to the range of concepts, approaches and techniques used by modern biologists. With three concentration options to choose from, BS students can specialize their studies to match their goals and interests.
Many graduates go on to medical, dental or veterinary school. Some continue in graduate programs in biology at GW or institutions around the country. Others find employment in private-sector pharmaceutical or biotechnology careers or in government roles.
Note: Students who declare a major in biology are unable to double major in neuroscience.
"My first lab position working with Professor Sally Moody on neural development led to so many life-changing opportunities. She became an influential mentor, encouraging me to apply for a Luther Rice Fellowship — which I received — and guiding me in the completion of my senior thesis."
Shailly Gaur
BS ’14
Concentrations
Majors in the BS in biology track choose from three concentrations.
- General Biology
This concentration suits students interested in health sciences, biotechnology or further study. Through careful instruction in the latest biological concepts, this concentration prepares students for the GRE, MCAT, DAT and other pre-health examinations.
Students wishing to prepare for medical school should also take a second course in Physics, PHYS 1012, 1022 or 1026.
Required
- CHEM 2151 Organic Chemistry I & CHEM 2152 Organic Chemistry II
- CHEM 2153 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I & CHEM 2154 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
- CHEM 3165 Biochemistry I or BISC 3261 Introductory Medical Biochemistry
Electives
At least one 3-credit course from each of the four elective category listed below for a total of 12 credits, in addition to the courses satisfying the core course requirements. These 12 credits count toward the 18 required upper-level biology credits.- Cellular and Molecular Biology
A strong background in cellular and molecular biology can pave the way to careers in medicine, immunology, cutting-edge tech companies and much more. This interdisciplinary concentration shares courses between the biology and chemistry departments.
Required
- BISC 3209 Molecular Biology & BISC 3208 Molecular Biology Laboratory
- CHEM 2151 Organic Chemistry I & CHEM 2153 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
- CHEM 2152 Organic Chemistry II & CHEM 2154 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
- BISC 3261 Introductory Medical Biochemistry or CHEM 3165 Biochemistry I
Electives
In addition to the courses satisfying the core course requirements, at least one 3-credit course from each of the four elective categories listed below for a total of 12 credits. These 12 credits count toward the 18 required upper-level biology credits.- Ecology, Evolution and Environment
With courses ranging from marine ecology to evolutionary medicine, this concentration incorporates a field study component for real-world experience. Students prepare for research and careers in evolutionary biology, conservation and environmental science.
Required
In addition to the courses satisfying the core course requirements, at least one 3-credit course from both the systems electives and organism electives lists; at least 6 credits from the evolution, ecology, and environment electives list, including one course with a field component; and 6 credits from the quantitative electives list, including at least one statistics course.
Each concentration for the BS degree requires a set number of electives from four categories:
- Systems: Focuses on genetics, physiology and biotechnology
- Organisms: Includes subjects like zoology, anatomy and microbiology
- Evolution, Ecology and Environment: Covers material in areas including field and marine biology and animal behavior
- Quantitative: Builds a foundation in calculus, statistics and bioinformatics.
Interested in Medical School?
Students wishing to prepare for medical school should take a second course in physics in addition to the core major requirements. While the Department of Biological Sciences does not offer a pre-med track, CCAS Undergraduate Advising provides pre-health advising guidance.
Course Requirements
The following requirements must be fulfilled:
The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.
Program-specific curriculum:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| BISC 1111 | Introductory Biology: Cells and Molecules | |
| BISC 1112 | Introductory Biology: The Biology of Organisms | |
| BISC 2202 | Cell Biology | |
| BISC 2207 | Genetics | |
| BISC 2450 | Organic Evolution | |
| CHEM 1111 | General Chemistry I | |
| BISC 2452 | Animal Behavior | |
| or BISC 2454 | General Ecology | |
| or BISC 3460 | Conservation Biology | |
| CHEM 1112 | General Chemistry II | |
| PHYS 1011 | General Physics I | |
| or PHYS 1021 | University Physics I | |
| or PHYS 1025 | University Physics I with Biological Applications | |
| Concentration requirement | ||
| Students must fulfill the requirements of one of the three concentrations shown below. All concentrations require a minimum of 18 credits in upper-level Biology (BISC) courses. | ||
| Laboratory course requirements* | ||
| At least three BISC courses numbered 2000 or above must have a laboratory component, either built into the course or as a separate course number. Students who complete 1 credit of BISC 4171 or BISC 4171W, Undergraduate Research, may count this experience toward one of their laboratory requirements. A maximum of 6 credits of BISC 4171 or BISC 4171W may be applied toward degree requirements. | ||
| Honors thesis | ||
| Students who qualify based on academic performance are strongly encouraged to develop an honors thesis based on their research experience. | ||
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratory Courses | ||
| BISC 2208 | Genetics Laboratory | |
| BISC 2216 | Scanning Electron Microscopy Laboratory | |
| BISC 2224 | Biology of Horticulture | |
| BISC 2332 | Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy | |
| BISC 2335 | Insect Biology Lab | |
| BISC 2337 | Introductory Microbiology Laboratory | |
| BISC 2339 | Parasitology | |
| BISC 2453 | Animal Behavior Laboratory | |
| BISC 2456 | General Ecology Laboratory | |
| BISC 3123 | Human Physiology Lab | |
| BISC 3208 | Molecular Biology Laboratory | |
| BISC 3211 | Nanobiotechnology Laboratory | |
| BISC 3215 | Genome Editing Laboratory | |
| BISC 3453 | Plant Comparative Structure and Function Lab | |
| BISC 3455 | Marine Ecology Laboratory | |
| BISC 3459 | Field Biology | |
| BISC 3462 | Plant-Animal Interactions Laboratory | |
| BISC 4171 | Undergraduate Research | |
| or BISC 4171W | Undergraduate Research | |
| BISC 4234 | Microbial Genomics Laboratory | |
Biology electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Systems category | ||
| BISC 2208 | Genetics Laboratory 1 | |
| BISC 2213 | Biology of Cancer | |
| BISC 2220 | Developmental Neurobiology | |
| BISC 2320 | Neural Circuits and Behavior | |
| BISC 3122 | Human Physiology | |
| BISC 3123 | Human Physiology Lab 1 | |
| BISC 3165 | Biochemistry I | |
| BISC 3167 | Biochemistry Laboratory | |
| or BISC 3262 | Biochemistry Laboratory | |
| BISC 3208 | Molecular Biology Laboratory 1 | |
| BISC 3209 | Molecular Biology | |
| BISC 3210 | Nanobiotechnology | |
| BISC 3211 | Nanobiotechnology Laboratory 1 | |
| BISC 3212 | Immunology | |
| BISC 3214 | Developmental Biology | |
| BISC 3215 | Genome Editing Laboratory | |
| BISC 3263 | Special Topics in Biochemistry | |
| BISC 3320 | Human Neurobiology | |
| BISC 4132 | Advanced Cellular-Molecular Biology | |
| BISC 4212 | Virology and Antiviral Immunity | |
| BISC 6205 | Foundations in Cell and Molecular Biology | |
| BISC 6218 | Innate Immunity | |
| BISC 6219 | Host-Microbe Interactions | |
| PUBH 3202 | Introduction to Genomics | |
| Organisms category | ||
| BISC 2000 | Biodiversity Studies in a Changing Planet | |
| BISC 2305 | Plant Biology | |
| BISC 2331 | Insect Biology | |
| BISC 2335 | Insect Biology Lab 1 | |
| BISC 2332 | Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy 1 | |
| BISC 2333 | Evolution and Extinction of Dinosaurs | |
| BISC 2334W | Integrative Biology of Fishes | |
| BISC 2336 | Introductory Microbiology | |
| BISC 2337 | Introductory Microbiology Laboratory 1 | |
| BISC 2339 | Parasitology 1 | |
| BISC 2401 | Biodiversity in A Changing World | |
| BISC 6215 | Vertebrate Phylogeny 1 | |
| Evolution, ecology, and environment category | ||
| BISC 2010 | Global Change Biology | |
| BISC 2224 | Biology of Horticulture | |
| BISC 2451 | History of Life | |
| BISC 2452 | Animal Behavior | |
| BISC 2453 | Animal Behavior Laboratory 1 | |
| BISC 2454 | General Ecology | |
| BISC 2456 | General Ecology Laboratory 1,2 | |
| BISC 3450 | Evolutionary Medicine | |
| or BISC 3450W | Evolutionary Medicine | |
| BISC 3453 | Plant Comparative Structure and Function Lab 1,2 | |
| BISC 3454 | Marine Ecology | |
| BISC 3455 | Marine Ecology Laboratory 2 | |
| BISC 3458 | Plant Comparative Structure and Function | |
| BISC 3458 | Plant Comparative Structure and Function | |
| BISC 3459 | Field Biology 1,2 | |
| BISC 3460 | Conservation Biology 3 | |
| or BISC 3460W | Conservation Biology | |
| BISC 3461 | Plant-Animal Interactions | |
| BISC 3462 | Plant-Animal Interactions Laboratory 1,2 | |
| BISC 3464 | Ecology and Evolution of Societies | |
| BISC 6210 | Methods of Study of Evolution | |
| BISC 6211 | Biogeography and Speciation | |
| BISC 6243 | Seminar: Ecology | |
| Quantitative category | ||
| BISC 2585 | Biometry | |
| MATH 1231 | Single-Variable Calculus I | |
| or MATH 1220 & MATH 1221 | Calculus with Precalculus I and Calculus with Precalculus II | |
| MATH 1232 | Single-Variable Calculus II | |
| PUBH 3201 | Introduction to Bioinformatics | |
| or BISC 2584 | Introduction to Bioinformatics | |
| STAT 1127 | Statistics for the Biological Sciences | |
1Laboratory course.
2Field component.
3If not taken as a required course option.
Concentrations
General Biology Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| CHEM 2151 & CHEM 2152 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry II | |
| CHEM 2153 & CHEM 2154 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | |
| CHEM 3165 | Biochemistry I | |
| or BISC 3261 | Introductory Medical Biochemistry | |
| Electives | ||
| At least one 3-credit course from each of the four elective category listed below for a total of 12 credits, in addition to the courses satisfying the core course requirements. These 12 credits count toward the 18 required upper-level biology credits. | ||
Cellular and Molecular Biology Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| BISC 3209 & BISC 3208 | Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology Laboratory | |
| CHEM 2151 & CHEM 2153 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | |
| CHEM 2152 & CHEM 2154 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | |
| BISC 3261 | Introductory Medical Biochemistry | |
| or CHEM 3165 | Biochemistry I | |
| Electives | ||
| In addition to the courses satisfying the core course requirements, at least one 3-credit course from each of the four elective categories listed below for a total of 12 credits. These 12 credits count toward the 18 required upper-level biology credits. | ||
Ecology, Evolution, and Environment Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| In addition to the courses satisfying the core course requirements, at least one 3-credit course from both the systems electives and organism electives lists; at least 6 credits from the evolution, ecology, and environment electives list, including one course with a field component; and 6 credits from the quantitative electives list, including at least one statistics course. | ||