Department of Biological Sciences

• Degree Requirements
• Recommended Plan of Study

3268 Science and Engineering South (SES)
312–996–2211
http://www.uic.edu/depts/bios/

Administration: Interim Head, Howard E. Buhse, Jr.
Director of Undergraduate Studies, Paul Malchow

The biological sciences majors study life, living organisms, and vital processes. Within this broad context, students and faculty pursue diverse programs, including, but not limited to, biochemistry, botany, cell biology, developmental, ecology, environmental sciences, ethology, evolution, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, morphology, paleontology, photosynthesis, physiology (animal, microbial, and plant), population biology, and virology. Students completing a baccalaureate degree in biological sciences are prepared for positions in teaching and governmental or industrial laboratories and are also qualified to pursue graduate studies in any of several concentrations within the biological sciences as well as the health professions.

The Department of Biological Sciences offers a program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences with a Major in Biological Sciences. A Minor in Biological Sciences is also offered.

B.S. with a Major in Biological Sciences

Degree Requirements

To earn a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from UIC, students must complete University, college, and departmental degree requirements. The Department of Biological Sciences degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.

^a The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Course Requirements range from 43 to 64 hours. Some of the Required Prerequisite and Collateral Courses are counted toward this requirement.

LAS Course Requirements

See Course Requirements in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for a list of courses to meet this requirement. Students should consult the list of Required Prerequisite and Collateral Courses below and their advisors to determine which courses are counted toward the Course Requirements.

Required Prerequisite and Collateral Courses

^a MATH 180 fulfills the LAS quantitative reasoning requirement.

Major Requirements

Of the 36 semester hours for the major, no more than 10 hours may be at the 100-level and at least 5 hours must be at the 300-level or above, excluding 391 and 399.

^a BIOS 221 fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement.
^b BIOS 442 must be taken with BIOS 443.

Electives

Recommended Plan of Study

To view a recommended plan of study for the major in Biological Sciences, please visit the LAS Web site http://www.uic.edu/las/college/info/fygp.

Minor in Biological Sciences

Students from other disciplines who want to minor in biological sciences must complete 21 semester hours distributed as follows:

Distinction

Departmental Distinction. Departmental Distinction is awarded to students with a minimum 3.70/4.00 GPA in biological sciences courses and to students with a minimum 3.30/4.00 GPA in biological sciences courses who successfully complete BIOS 399—Independent Research.

Highest Departmental Distinction. Highest Departmental Distinction is awarded to students who have a minimum 3.70/4.00 GPA in biological sciences courses and who successfully complete BIOS 399—Independent Research.