The Biology major offers a versatile pathway to a baccalaureate degree, with opportunities to specialize in Cell and Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, or High School Education 9-12. Designed to provide a strong foundation across the biological sciences, the program encourages students to explore life at every level—from molecules and cells to ecosystems and global environments. Students gain the knowledge and hands-on experience needed for careers in research, molecular biology, ecology, environmental science, education, and a wide range of health and science-related fields.
The Department of Biology also offers majors in Biomedical Science and Environmental Science (Concentration in Biology or Chemistry), and a minor in Biology. They are also collaborating partners on a Medical Laboratory Science (Clinical or General Concentration) major and a Neuroscience Minor. In addition to undergraduate programs, the department offers an accelerated 4+1 program (B.S./M.S.) and a Master of Science Degree in Biology.
Undergraduate Course Requirements
All students majoring in biology, and those students desiring additional focus in one of the department's concentrations, must earn a grade of C or better in all required biology courses. All biology students must take the following core courses:
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| BIO 150 | Introduction to Biology | 2.0 |
| BIO 151 | Molecules to Cells | 3.0 |
| BIO 152 | Molecules to Cells Laboratory | 1.0 |
| BIO 250 | Organismal Biology | 4.0 |
| BIO 251 | Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity | 3.0 |
| BIO 252 | Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory | 1.0 |
| BIO 260 | Biological Statistics I | 1.0 |
| BIO 261 | Biological Statistics II | 2.0 |
| BIO 310 | Genetics | 3.0 |
| BIO 311 | Genetics laboratory | 1.0 |
| BIO 490 | Biology Capstone | 1.0 |
| CHM 110 | General Chemistry I | 3.0 |
| CHM 111 | General Chemistry I Lab | 1.0 |
| CHM 116 | General Chemistry II | 3.0 |
| CHM 117 | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1.0 |
| CHM 252 | Organic Chemistry I | 3.0 |
| CHM 253 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2.0 |
| CHM 256 | Organic Chemistry II 1 | 3.0 |
| CHM 257 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 1 | 1.0 |
| MTH 115 | Brief Calculus With Applications I 2 | 4.0 |
| PHY 107 | General Physics I | 4.0 |
| PHY 108 | General Physics II | 4.0 |
At the completion of 90 semester hours, the student must have credit for:
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| BIO 150 | Introduction to Biology | 2.0 |
| BIO 151 | Molecules to Cells | 3.0 |
| BIO 152 | Molecules to Cells Laboratory | 1.0 |
| BIO 250 | Organismal Biology | 4.0 |
| BIO 251 | Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity | 3.0 |
| BIO 252 | Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory | 1.0 |
| BIO 260 | Biological Statistics I | 1.0 |
| BIO 261 | Biological Statistics II | 2.0 |
| CHM 110 | General Chemistry I | 3.0 |
| CHM 111 | General Chemistry I Lab | 1.0 |
| CHM 116 | General Chemistry II | 3.0 |
| CHM 117 | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1.0 |
| CHM 252 | Organic Chemistry I | 3.0 |
| CHM 253 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2.0 |
| 4.0 |
Students not meeting these requirements will not be allowed to enroll in other biology courses until requirements are met. Students with more than 30 semester hours transferring into biology programs from other Bradley majors must have a GPA of 2.25 or greater and must have completed at least one semester each of introductory biology, introductory chemistry, and calculus. Students with 30 or fewer hours will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
In addition to the above requirements, each student must complete the requirements below with a grade of C or better in each biology course taken to graduate with a baccalaureate degree in Biology.
Students will choose a minimum of one course (with required laboratory) from each of the following categories.
The Biology Department offers the opportunity for a student to receive one of several concentrations that will allow students to concentrate or specialize in various areas that will better prepare them for their post-graduate careers. Specifically, the department offers concentrations in Cell and Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary biology, and High School Education.
