The General Biology major will train students for a wide array of careers in many areas including medical professions, scientific research, government and industrial settings, academic and healthcare settings, education and other communication-oriented fields, education-based science and technology companies and more. This broad education will enable students to communicate their findings in an engaging manner. The courses for this major are designed to educate students on all aspects of life and include courses in anatomy, genetics, cell and molecular biology, developmental biology, cell signaling, endocrinology, immunology, microbiology and physiology.
Students of the General Biology program will learn about all types of living organisms, including microbes, animals, plants and micro-organisms. They will also be taught about the different processes involved in the life cycle of living things and about the genetic mechanisms of cells. The coursework is completed within the context of a naturalistic environment that allows students to investigate and question their theories using empirical evidence and logical reasoning. Many students will choose to pursue a doctorate degree in General Biology in order to gain a greater level of knowledge about the world around them.
To obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, students must first complete an undergraduate program with a minimum GPA and an average of 3.0 on the AP Exam or International Baccalaureate exam. Some colleges also require students to take one additional science course such as earth, chemistry or physics course, or a lab course. Students can choose to major in general Biology or specialization. Some of the general courses include:
Biodiversity Biology: This course introduces students to the diversity of life on Earth and includes courses such as Evolutionary Biology and Biotechnology. Human Anatomy and Physiology: This course examines the structure of the human body and examines the basic nervous system as it relates to the functions of the mind and the central nervous system and the brain.
General Biology students can pursue graduate studies by specializing in various areas of the major such as Molecular Biology, Evolutionary Biology, and Comparative Biology or Evolutionary Genetics. The requirements for each of these specializations are slightly different than the ones required for entry into a Bachelor’s degree program.
Biodiversity Biology: This course teaches students how to collect and examine biological samples for DNA sequences and determine whether they match known species of living things. This course may require the student to analyze a sample and compare its composition to known species and determine the relationship between those species. Human Anatomy and Physiology: This course looks at the structure and function of the human body and examines the structure of the human brain and the central nervous system. Learning about the relationship of the human nervous system to the rest of the nervous system is essential for students who plan to pursue a doctorate degree in General Biology.
Evolutionary Biology: This course explores the evolutionary history of life on Earth, including the process of evolution, the evolution of species, and the causes and effects of evolution. This course prepares students for the graduate level by introducing the student to various methods of scientific research and how they relate to the study of evolution and genetics.
Comparative Biology: This course introduces the study of the development of living things across time and space through various living environments and in different species. Students learn about the variation of physical features and the relationships between living things in the context of the environment and species from which they evolved. in nature. Evolutionary Genetics: This course is designed to provide a broad overview of the genetics of the human body, and how it relates to the study of the genetic variation found in living things.
In general, the requirements for an undergraduate program for a Bachelor’s degree program in General Biology vary depending on the type of course chosen and on the school the student attends. Students should consult with an advisor to determine the specific requirements of their school.
