Undergraduate Degree
	BS, BA in Biology from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Minor
	Biology
Four-year Graduation Plan
	Yes
Teaching Licensure
	Yes
Links
	Web Site Courses General Catalog

If you enjoy science in general and life sciences in particular, you might want to consider biology as a major. Many students choose this major because they feel it is directly related to the postgraduate training and career they hope to enter, including all of the health sciences.

• Why Study Biology at Iowa?
• Course Work
• Faculty
• Additional Opportunities
• Honors
• Careers
• Scholarships

Why Study Biology at Iowa?
U.S. News & World Report ranked Iowa's doctorate in biology among the top 50 programs of its kind in the nation. Biology also is one of the most popular Iowa majors among incoming first-year students. The program enrolls about 800 undergraduates.

The department has introduced two important innovations in its program that put it at the forefront of biology education. One is a redesigned Bachelor of Science program with specialized tracks in leading research areas such as genetics and biotechnology, neurobiology, cell biology, and evolution. These tracks are suitable for students with interests in current research as well as health-related fields, including medicine. The comprehensive biology track is specially designed to prepare future secondary school teachers and college professors.

A second innovation is an Interactive Web Application designed specifically for biology majors. It allows students to plan their degree program with related science and math classes for their entire undergraduate career.

The department also acquaints students with the work of practicing scientists through one of the department’s research groups. Students participate in laboratory experiments, discuss current research, study specialized topics, and attend seminars.

Course Work
The BS and BA programs in biology include a core curriculum with an introductory course sequence and courses in fundamental genetics and evolution. Beyond that core, the programs are diverse in content, preparing students for the variety of career opportunities in the biological sciences. Each program includes 18 courses (63-70 semester hours [s.h.]) in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Of these, 11 courses are specifically in biology or biochemistry.

BS in Biology
The BS degree is divided into tracks emphasizing the most dynamic areas in the biological sciences. Students may choose one of six tracks: cell and developmental biology, evolution, genetics and biotechnology, neurobiology, plant biology, and comprehensive biology. Each of the first five tracks includes:

• Three core courses chosen for broad coverage of the area
• An appropriate biochemistry course
• An investigative lab course
• At least two courses from a carefully selected list of electives

In the comprehensive biology track, students choose at least one course in each of six different areas covering important biological sciences concepts, as well as one investigative lab course.

BA in Biology
The BA degree curriculum features a combination of directed breadth and student choice. Students must complete:

• A chemistry/physics/math foundation
• Four core biology courses
• One course in each of three breadth menus: molecular and cellular biology, developmental biology and physiology, and ecology and evolutionary biology
• One course with a lab
• Three elective courses

This degree requires the same student effort as the BS degree but differs in approach, with less specialization and more flexibility. It is suitable for future science teachers and for graduate and professional study in biology and medicine.

For either the BS or the BA degree, you will likely take the same biology-related courses in your first year (along with general education courses). Because the study of biology requires a solid foundation in chemistry, Principles of Chemistry I is a prerequisite for Principles of Biology I.

First Semester
Chemistry                                       4 s.h.
Calculus (or math leading to calculus)  4 s.h.

Second Semester
Chemistry                                       4 s.h.
Principles of Biology I                       4 s.h.
Calculus or elective                          4 s.h.

Biology Minor
The minor requires 15 s.h. of credit in biology. Of those, 12 s.h. must come from upper-level biology courses taken from the biology department.

Faculty
Biology faculty members have been actively involved in advancing knowledge in the field. They participate in a wide variety of research disciplines, including molecular genetics, cell and developmental biology, neurobiology, plant sciences, and evolution.

Advanced students may participate in faculty projects or do individual research. Faculty members strongly encourage undergraduate research and publishing for professional careers.

Additional Opportunities
If you’re interested in field biology, you have the Macbride Nature Recreation Area nearby and the opportunity to take summer courses at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory at Lake Okoboji. The Pomerantz Career Center also offers internship listings to biology undergraduates.

Students may get involved in an active undergraduate biology student organization, called BUGS.

Honors
In order to graduate with honors in biology you must be a member of the University of Iowa Honors Program.

In addition, students in biology must earn at least a 3.33 grade-point average (GPA) in all courses within the biology major. You also must complete 2 s.h. in either Honors Seminar in Biology or an advanced-level biology seminar course, and 6 s.h. of the Honors Investigations course. In addition, you’ll write a brief research proposal and an honors thesis and present your findings to the department.

Careers
Career opportunities in the biological sciences have expanded dramatically in the past decade. Biological sciences are at the heart of some of today’s biggest opportunities and challenges, from development of products related to human health, to understanding the relationship among the many species inhabiting Earth, to management of the environment.

The recent explosion of interest in biotechnology, including genome sequencing, stem-cell research, recombinant DNA studies, and nuclear cloning, offers opportunities unheard of even 10 years ago.

The biology major also prepares students for any of the health-related professions, from physical therapy to medicine and dentistry.

Scholarships
Consult multiple sources for scholarship information, including the Office of Admissions, the Office of Student Financial Aid, and departmental web sites.