The biology major develops fundamental knowledge of animals, plants, and microorganisms. The Bachelor of Arts in biology is a flexible degree that is best suited for students interested in a career in education, the allied health professions, and interdisciplinary fields such as environmental or biotechnology law, science journalism, and bioscience management. This degree is not recommended for students seeking admission into professional schools such as medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine. Please contact an academic advisor for more information.

requirements for the Major

The major requires 29-24 credits of foundational coursework and a minimum of 30 credits of Biology BA major coursework. All coursework for the major must be completed with minimum grades of C.

At least 18 credits of major coursework must be taken at UF. At least two Biology Distribution Courses and at least 9 credits of Biology BA electives must be taken at UF. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Foundation Coursework
General Biology
BSC 2010 & 2010L	Integrated Principles of Biology 1 and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory	4
BSC 2011 & 2011L	Integrated Principles of Biology 2 and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2	4
Select one option:		6-8
Option A
CHM 1030	Basic Chemistry Concepts and Applications 1
CHM 1031	Basic Chemistry Concepts and Applications 2
Option B
CHM 2045 & 2045L	General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry Laboratory
CHM 2046 & 2046L	General Chemistry 2 and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
Mathematics
Select one:		4-5
MAC 1147	Algebra and Trigonometry
MAC 1114 & MAC 1140	Trigonometry and Precalculus Algebra
A math course above MAC 1147 / MAC 1140 + MAC 1114
Physics
Select one option:		8-10
Option A
PHY 2004 & 2004L	Applied Physics 1 and Laboratory for Physics 2004
PHY 2005 & 2005L	Applied Physics 2 and Applied Physics 2 Lab
Option B
PHY 2048 & 2048L	Physics with Calculus 1 and Laboratory for PHY 2048
PHY 2049 & 2049L	Physics with Calculus 2 and Laboratory for PHY 2049
Option C
PHY 2053 & 2053L	Physics 1 and Laboratory for PHY 2053
PHY 2054 & 2054L	Physics 2 and Laboratory for PHY 2054
Statistics
STA 2023	Introduction to Statistics 1	3
Total		29-34
Required Biology BA Major Coursework: Biology BA Distribution, Capstone, and Approved Biology Elective Courses must total a minimum of 30 credits. At least 18 credits must be taken at UF
Required Biology BA Major Coursework: Biology BA Distribution, Capstone, and Approved Biology Elective Courses must total a minimum of 30 credits. At least 18 credits must be taken at UF 1
Group 1: Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology and Genetics
AGR 3303	Genetics
BCH 3023	Elementary Organic and Biological Chemistry 2
PCB 3023	Essential Cell Biology
PCB 3063	Genetics
PCB 3134	Eukaryotic Cell Structure and Function
PCB 4522	Molecular Genetics
PCB 4553	Population Genetics
Group 2: Organismal Biology
BOT 3503 & 3503L	Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants and Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants Laboratory 3
BSC 3096	Human Physiology
MCB 2000 & 2000L	Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory
MCB 3020 & 3020L	Basic Biology of Microorganisms and Laboratory for Basic Biology of Microorganisms 2
PCB 3134	Eukaryotic Cell Structure and Function 2
PCB 3713C	Cellular and Systems Physiology 2
PCB 4712	Comparative Biomechanics 2
PCB 4723C	Physiology and Molecular Biology of Animals 2
ZOO 3603C	Evolutionary Developmental Biology
ZOO 3713C	Functional Vertebrate Anatomy
Group 3: Ecology
BSC 3307C	Climate Change Biology
PCB 3601C	Plant Ecology
PCB 4043C	General Ecology
Group 4: Evolution and Diversity
BOT 2011C	Plant Diversity
BOT 2710C	Practical Plant Taxonomy
BOT 3151C	Local Flora of North Florida
PCB 4674	Evolution 2
ZOO 3513C	Animal Behavior
ZOO 4050	Animal Behavior
ZOO 4205C	Invertebrate Biodiversity
ZOO 4307C	Vertebrate Biodiversity
Group 5: Biology and Society
AGG 3501	Environment, Food and Society
ALS 4162/6935	Consequences of Biological Invasions
BOT 2800C	Plants in Human Affairs
PLP 2000	Plants, Plagues, & People
PLP 2060	Fungus among Us: Mushrooms, Molds and Civilization
PLS 2830	World Herbs and Vegetables
PSB 3002	Physiological Psychology
Approved Biology BA Major Electives: See approved list in tab above (total credits needed depends on credits taken for Biology Distribution courses). At least 9 credits of BA electives must be taken at UF.
Approved Biology BA Elective courses		15-19
Capstone
BSC 4936	Critical Analysis of Biological Research	2
Biology BA Major Coursework Total		30
Foundation and Major Total Credits		59-64

¹

This major requires a minimum of 30 credits in major courses. At least 18 of the 30 credits of the major coursework must be taken at UF.  Any additional credits remaining after completion of the required major coursework must be met by taking courses from the approved Biology BA electives.

²

Course has specific prerequisites; students should consult the course description when planning their programs to ensure they may select this course.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• Complete 1 of the following: BSC 2010 and BSC 2010L; or CHM 1025 or CHM 1030 or CHM 2045 and CHM 2045L; or MAC 1147 or equivalent or higher math course
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

• Complete CHM 1030 or CHM 2045 and CHM 2045L and one of the following: BSC 2010 and BSC 2010L or MAC 1147 or equivalent or higher MAC course
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

• Complete BSC 2010 and BSC 2010L and MAC 1147 or equivalent or higher MAC course
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

• Complete CHM 1031 or CHM 2046 and CHM 2046L; BSC 2011 and BSC 2011L; and MAC 1147 or equivalent or higher MAC course with a 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

• Complete at least 1 biology distribution course
• 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

• Complete a minimum of 2 of the remaining Biology major 3000/4000 level required core courses

Semester 7

• Complete a minimum of 2 of the remaining Biology major 3000/4000 level required core courses

Semester 8

• Complete BSC 4936 (Capstone)
• Complete all remaining Biology major 3000/4000 level required core courses 

Students are expected to complete the Writing, Civic Literacy, summer enrollment, and Quest requirements while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S) as part of the CLAS Basic Distribution requirements. One of the two general education mathematics courses must be a pure math course.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences allows students additional flexibility in its Distribution Requirements. Students may count a maximum of 6 credits TOTAL from the CLAS Distribution course lists towards Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, or Biological and Physical Sciences, with no more than 3 credits of Humanities, 3 credits of Social and Behavioral Sciences, or 6 credits of Biological or Physical Sciences.

The full list of major-specific requirements for this major can be found on the Overview tab. College of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree requirements can be found on the College’s degree requirements page.

Approved Biology electives may not count towards the 3000 level or above electives outside of the major.

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester One		Credits
Quest 1		3
Select one:		3-4
CHM 1030	Basic Chemistry Concepts and Applications 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
CHM 2045 & 2045L	General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
MAC 1147	Algebra and Trigonometry (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics)	4
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement		3
	Credits	13-14
Semester Two
Select one:		3-4
CHM 1031	Basic Chemistry Concepts and Applications 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
CHM 2046 & 2046L	General Chemistry 2 and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
STA 2023	Introduction to Statistics 1	3
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement		3
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences		3
Electives		3
	Credits	15-16
Semester Three
BSC 2010 & 2010L	Integrated Principles of Biology 1 and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences)	4
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences		3
Gen Ed Humanities		3
CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 1		4-5
	Credits	14-15
Semester Four
BSC 2011 & 2011L	Integrated Principles of Biology 2 and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences)	4
State Core Gen Ed Humanities		3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences		3
CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 1		3-5
Electives		2
	Credits	15-17
Semester Five
Biology distribution courses (Critical Tracking)		6-7
Select one:		4-5
PHY 2004 & 2004L	Applied Physics 1 and Laboratory for Physics 2004
PHY 2053 & 2053L	Physics 1 and Laboratory for PHY 2053
Quest 2		3
Elective (or CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement if 4-3-3 language option) 1		3
	Credits	16-18
Semester Six
Biology distribution course		3-4
Select one:		4-5
PHY 2005 & 2005L	Applied Physics 2 and Applied Physics 2 Lab
PHY 2054 & 2054L	Physics 2 and Laboratory for PHY 2054
Gen Ed Humanities		3
Elective (3000 level or above; not in major)		6
	Credits	16-18
Semester Seven
Approved Biology BA Major electives		9-11
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major)		6
	Credits	15-17
Semester Eight
BSC 4936	Critical Analysis of Biological Research (Critical Tracking)	2
Approved Biology BA Major electives		6-8
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major)		6
Electives		2
	Credits	16-18
	Total Credits	120

¹

CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement

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Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ALS 3153	Agricultural Ecology	3
ALS 4162	Consequences of Biological Invasions 1	3
ANS 3006	Introduction to Animal Science	3
ANT 3514C	Introduction to Biological Anthropology	4
ANT 3515	Human Evolutionary Anatomy	3
ANT 3520	Skeleton Keys: Forensic Identification	3
APK 2100C	Applied Human Anatomy with Laboratory	4
BCH 3023	Elementary Organic and Biological Chemistry	3
BCH 4024	Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology	4
BOT 2011C	Plant Diversity	4
BSC 2862	Global Change Ecology and Sustainability	3
BSC 3096	Human Physiology 1	3
BSC 3307C	Climate Change Biology	4
ENY 3005 & 3005L	Principles of Entomology and Principles of Entomology Laboratory	4
ENY 3007C	Life Science	3
ENY 4161	Insect Classification	3
ENY 4210	Insects and Wildlife	3
ENY 4660 & 4660L	Medical and Veterinary Entomology and Medical and Veterinary Entomology Laboratory	3
GLY 3603C	Paleontology	4
MCB 2000	Microbiology	3
MCB 3020	Basic Biology of Microorganisms	3
MCB 4304	Genetics of Microorganisms	3
MCB 4320C	The Microbiome	3
MCB 4403	Prokaryotic Cell Structure and Function	3
MCB 4503	General Virology	3
PCB 3023	Essential Cell Biology 1	3
PCB 3063	Genetics 1	4
PCB 3134	Eukaryotic Cell Structure and Function	3
PCB 4043C	General Ecology 1	4
PCB 4233	Immunology	3
PCB 4522	Molecular Genetics 1	3
PCB 4674	Evolution 1	4
PSB 3002	Physiological Psychology 1	3
SWS 4223	Environmental Biogeochemistry	3
ZOO 3603C	Evolutionary Developmental Biology 1	4
ZOO 3713C	Functional Vertebrate Anatomy 1	4
ZOO 4232	Human Parasitology 1	3
ZOO 4403C	Marine Biology	4
ZOO 4926	Special Topics in Zoology	1-4

¹

Cannot be counted as both an elective and a Biology Distribution Course. 

Biology is the study of the many diverse forms, processes and systems of life. These studies range across all levels of the biological hierarchy, from the simplest to the most complex life forms, across all environments on the earth and across recent and evolutionary time that interconnects ancestors to their descendants.

To understand this vast diversity, the field of biology correspondingly relies on integrative and comparative approaches for the resolution of the general processes, principles and unifying themes that govern living systems. Biology is therefore very interdisciplinary and biologists rely on knowledge from the physical sciences and mathematics, as well as from across the disciplines and subdisciplines of biology for advances and breakthroughs.

The Biology major is administered jointly by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Achieve a passing score for all content subsections of the Major Field Test for Biology. Content subscore areas are molecular biology and genetics, organismal biology, evolution, ecology, and population biology.
• Achieve a passing score on the analytical skills assessment indicator of the Major Field Test for Biology.
• Achieve a passing score on the bioethics module quiz in BSC 4936. The content of the module and quiz are reviewed and approved by a faculty committee.
• Achieve a passing score on the scientific literacy paper assignment given in BSC 4936. This paper is graded using a faculty-developed rubric.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

1. Identify, describe, and explain the basic terminology, concepts, methodologies, and theories used within the biological sciences.

Critical Thinking

2. Analyze biological information and develop reasoned solutions to problems using the processes and applications of scientific inquiry.
3. Discriminate ethical behavior from unethical behavior in scientific research.

Communication

4. Communicate knowledge, ideas, and reasoning clearly and effectively in written or oral forms appropriate to the biological sciences.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Academic Learning Compact 4

Courses	SLO 1	SLO 2	SLO 3	SLO 4
AGR 3303 or PCB 3063 or PCB 4522	R	R		R
ANS 3319C or BOT 3503 or HOS 4304 or PCB 3713C or PCB 4723C	R	R		R
BSC 1920	I		I	I
BSC 2010	I	I	I
BSC 2011	I	I	I
BSC 4936	A	A	A	A
MCB 3020 and 3020L, or PCB 3134 or PCB 4674	R	R		R

Assessment Types

• Major field test for biology
• Bioethics module
• Scientific literacy paper

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