Bachelor's Degree Requirements

There are different requirements for students arriving as freshmen in September 2011 (or later) and for those previously in Weinberg College. We list both here:

Bachelor's Degree Requirements: 2011-12 and Later Catalogs (i.e., for students arriving at Northwestern in Fall 2011 or later):

The undergraduate life sciences major offered in Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences is the Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences with concentration in one of five areas: biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology, neurobiology, physiology, plant biology. Important strengths of the program include a particularly sophisticated introductory course and a diverse set of advanced courses based in part or in whole on primary scientific literature. There are also outstanding opportunities for undergraduate students to join a faculty member's research group and carry out independent laboratory research.

The curriculum for the Biological Sciences major includes the following components:

Foundation in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics:

Mathematics 220 and 224, plus a course in statistics
Physics 130-1,2,3 (or 135-1, 2, 3, or 125-1, 2, 3)
Chemistry 101, 102, 103 (or 171, 172)
Chemistry 210-1, 2 (or 212-1, 2)

Core Biology Curriculum (not including Concentration classes):

Biological Sciences 215, 216, 217, 218, 220, 221, 222
Either BIOL SCI 341 or 391
One additional 300 level BIOL SCI course (NOTE: This is the only course that HPME students can waive in this major)

During the freshman year, the student will usually complete 100-level chemistry, the mathematics requirements, and BIOL SCI 215 (in the Spring term). The student will usually take the other 200 level BIOL SCI courses, and Chemistry 210, during the sophomore year.

Concentration-Related Curriculum:

The junior and senior years permit the student to explore a focused subfield of biology termed a Concentration. The student must choose one of the five Concentrations listed below. Each has three required courses.

1. Biochemistry: BIOL SCI 309, 321, and 361
2. Genetics & Molecular Biology: BIOL SCI 315, 390, and 395
3. Neurobiology: BIOL SCI 302 and 306, plus one of 303, 304, 305, 324, 326, 377
4. Physiology: BIOL SCI 325, 356, plus one of: 302, 355, 358
5. Plant Biology: BIOL SCI 330, 349, plus one of: 313, 316, 335, 350

Advising

Each student who majors in Biological Sciences is assigned a faculty Program Adviser. Students who have further questions are encouraged to visit the Program in Biological Sciences office, Hogan Hall Room 2-144.

Research

Students are encouraged to access the Life Sciences faculty directory to learn about research of the faculty. Students are encouraged to then visit a faculty member and explore the possibility of research.

Graduation with Honors

For information regarding graduation with Program Honors, please consult the Research page on this website.

Bachelor's Degree Requirements: Catalogs Earlier Than 2011-12

The undergraduate life sciences major offered in Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences is the Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences with concentrations in six different areas including biochemistry, evolutionary and developmental biology, genetics and molecular biology, neurobiology, physiology, and plant biology. Important strengths of the program include a particularly sophisticated introductory course and a diverse set of advanced courses based in part or in whole on primary scientific literature. There are also outstanding opportunities for undergraduate students to join a faculty member's research group and carry out independent laboratory research.

The curriculum for the Biological Sciences major includes the following components:

Foundation in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics

• Mathematics 220 and 224, plus one course in statistics
• Physics 130-1,2,3 (or  Physics 135-1,2,3; Physics 125-1,2,3)
• Chemistry 101, 102, 103  (or Chemistry 171, 172)
• Chemistry 210-1,2  (or  Chemistry 212-1,2)

Core Biology Curriculum (not including Concentration courses)

• Biological Sciences 210-1,2,3
• Biological Sciences 315 Cell Biology
• Either BIOL SCI 301 or 309 Biochemistry
• Two additional 300 level BIOL SCI courses

During the freshman year, the student will usually complete 100-level chemistry and the mathematics requirements. The student most often takes Chemistry 210-1 in fall quarter of the sophomore year along with Biological Sciences 210-1. Note that  BIOL SCI 210 may not precede CHEM 210; CHEM 210-1 is a prerequisite for BIOL SCI 210-2.

Areas of Concentration:
The junior and senior years permit the student to explore a focused subfield of biology termed a Concentration.  The student must choose one of the six Concentrations listed below. Each specifies two 300-level Lecture courses and one Laboratory course. (The Laboratory course is waived for a student who chooses to use an HPME waiver in this major; HPME students are not allowed a second waiver in this major).

Biochemistry
321-0 Physical Biochemistry
361-0 Protein Structure and Function
CHEM 210-3 Organic Chemistry III with Laboratory

Genetics & Molecular Biology
353-0 Molecular Biology Laboratory
390-0 Molecular Biology
395-0 Molecular Genetics

Neurobiology
302-0 Fundamentals of Neurobiology I
306-0 Fundamentals of Neurobiology II
305-0 Neurobiology Laboratory

Physiology
325-0 Animal Physiology
356-0 Endocrinology
358-0 Physiology Laboratory

Plant Biology
330-0 Plant Biology
349-0 Plant Community Ecology
350-0 Plant Evolution and Diversity Laboratory

Advising
Each student who majors in Biological Sciences is assigned a faculty Adviser. Students who have further questions are encouraged to visit the Program in Biological Sciences office, Hogan Hall Room 2-144.

Research
Students are encouraged to access the Life Sciences faculty directory to learn about research of the faculty. Students are encouraged to then visit a faculty member and explore the possibility of research.

Graduation with Honors
For information regarding graduation with Program Honors, please consult the Research page on this website.

Program in Biological Sciences:

Director:
Richard F.  Gaber (PhD University of Wisconsin)
847-491-5452
r-gaber@northwestern.edu

Associate Director:
Gary J. Galbreath (PhD University of Chicago)
847-491-8775
gjg853@northwestern.edu

Program Assistants:
Susan Black
847-491-4031
seb451@northwestern.edu

Janine Sacco
847-467-2310

j-sacco@northwestern.edu