Getting Started (Majors Guide)

College: CNS

 (Revised Spring 2018)  

How to Explore/Get Started in the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

Under the new guidelines students are still required to take two courses, one in U.S. Diversity and one in Global Diversity. Students entering in Fall 2018 are expected to take one of these diversity courses, either U.S. or Global, in their first year on campus.  For Fall 2018 Registration, look for courses with DU (formerly U) and DG (formerly G) to help students stay on track.  Any course labled DU will satisfy the requirement for a U.S. diversity course and any course labeled DG will satisfy the the requirement for Global diversity course. Course planning guidelines, including guidelines for students, are available at www.umass.edu/gened.

Any Social World/Diversity courses.

Suggested Major Courses

  • BIOLOGY 151, BIOLOGY 152 and BIOLOGY 153 lab
  • CHEM 111 and CHEM 112 (if eligible according to Math Placement Exam)
  • One of the following Mathematics courses: STATISTC 240, RES-ECON 212
  • One the following Mathematics courses: MATH 127, STATISTC 501, CMPSCI 121

How to Declare the Major

See the Biology undergraduate advisors in Morrill 216

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Minimum total # of credits required: 67

  • BIOLOGY 151, 152, 153, 312 plus at least 25 additional credits in biological science core courses numbered 200 or above. These credits must include:
    1. at least 13 credits in courses numbered 300 and above;
    2. at least one course related to plant biology and one course related to animal biology;
    3. at least two courses with a laboratory or field component;
    4. at least one course in four of the following five areas: Genetics and Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology and Development, Physiology, Evolution and Biodiversity, Ecology and Behavior. (For a list of acceptable courses in each area, visit the Biology Undergraduate Office or the department website at: www.bio.umass.edu/biology/.)
  • Either of the following Mathematics courses: STATISTC 240, RES-ECON 212
  • Any of the following Mathematics courses: MATH 127, MATH 128, CMPSCI 121, STATISTC 501.
  • All of the following: CHEM 111, 112, 261, 262, 269 and PHYSICS 131, 132.

Is there a minor? If so what are the requirements?

Yes. The minor consists of BIOLOGY 151, BIOLOGY 152 and BIOLOGY 153 lab plus three additional Biology Department courses from the list of approved courses for the major, subject to the stipulations described in the Biology Undergraduate Handbook (available in Morrill 216).

For further information, contact:
Professor Bruce Byers or Ms. Susan Clevenger
Morrill 216
545-2287