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BIO-BS - Biology (BS)

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BiologyUndergraduate MatriculatedBS - Bachelor of Science

Overview

Program Policies

Learning Outcomes

Program Overview

The undergraduate major in Biology can serve as a stepping-stone for a wide variety of career opportunities. For students planning to attend medical, dental, or veterinary school, or graduate school in biological and applied sciences, the biology major provides a strong foundation in the basic life sciences. This foundation of knowledge, plus laboratory experience, also prepares students well for research and technical positions in universities, government, and industry.

While a major in Biology provides an excellent background for these technical careers, it can also serve as a valuable and satisfying focus of a liberal arts education for those not planning careers in science-related fields. An understanding of basic biological principles is of increasing importance in today's world. A knowledgeable and concerned citizenry is the best guarantee that these issues will be resolved most effectively. Finally, an understanding of the processes of life can heighten our perception and appreciation of the world around us, in terms of its beauty, variety, and uniqueness.

How to Declare a Major in Biology

Each undergraduate interested in the Biology major is required to select a department faculty advisor as part of the major declaration process.

Advising

Members of the Biology faculty are available for advising on such academic matters as choice of courses, research, suggested readings, and career plans. The student services office maintains a current list of faculty advisors, advising availability, and research interests.

The student services staff and BioBridge, the department's peer advising group, are prepared to answer questions on administrative matters, such as requirements for the major, approved out-of-department electives, transfer course evaluations, and petition procedures. This office also distributes the department's Bachelor of Science Handbook, which delineates policies and requirements, as well as other department forms and informational handouts.

Completion requirement
Recommended Courses
Complete at least 5 of the following Courses:
  • 2193621
    OR     2197031
    OR     2219261
  • 2193661
  • 2193651
  • 2193671
  • 2193681
  • 2193751

If you are choosing to pursue a subplan, please be sure to review the specific Foundational Course requirements noted below.

Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1118501
  • 1118511
    OR     2181841
    OR     2219261
Completion requirement
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 2042511
    AND     2042531
  • 1122461
  • 1122501
  • 1122531

One course from this section may be taken credit/no credit

Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
  • 1172271
    AND     1172291
    AND     1172301
Fulfill ANY of the following requirements:
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1226021
  • 1226061
  • 1226071
  • 1226091
OR
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1226171
  • 1226191
  • 1226241
Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
  • 2010472
  • 2010471
  • 1121781
  • 1237821
  • 2016572
  • 2085281
Completion requirement
Fulfill ANY of the following requirements:
Students will take advanced courses in Biology and related subjects. 23 units are required.

If all 6 BIO Foundations courses are taken, the 6th may count toward electives. All 100-level and above BIO and BIOHOPK courses will count towards this requirement as well as other 100-level and above science and math courses from this approved list. A maximum of 6 units of BIO 196-199, BIO 290-292 or BIO 296 and a maximum of 3 units from BIO 114 can count towards this requirement.

OR
Earn at least 23 credits from the following:
OR
Fulfill ANY of the following requirements:
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1272881

  • BIOC 241 (same as BIOE241, BIOPHYS 241, SBIO 241)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2115241
  • 2114201
  • 1410304
  • 2064033
  • 2022622
  • 2053172
  • 1272884
  • 2159425
  • 1033982

  • BIOE 214 (same as BIOMEDIN/GENE 214, CS 274)

  • BIOE 217 (same as BIOMEDIN 217, GENE 217, CS 275)

  • BIOE 220 (same as RAD 220)

  • BIOE 241 (same as BIOC 241, BIOPHYS 241, SBIO 241)

  • BIOE 279 (same as BIOPHYS 279, BIOMEDIN 279, CME 279, and CS 279)

  • BIOE 450 (same as CHEMENG 450) may only count toward the Biology requirements once.

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1272171
  • 1410301
  • 2064031
  • 2071962
  • 2186012
  • 2159423

  • BIOMEDIN 210 (same as CS 270)

  • BIOMEDIN 214 (same as BIOE/GENE 214, CS 274)

  • BIOMEDIN 217 (same as BIOE 217, CS 275, GENE 217)

  • BIOMEDIN 273A (same as CS 273A, DBIO 273A)

  • BIOMEDIN 273B (same as BIODS 237, CS 273B, GENE 236)

  • BIOMEDIN 279 (same as BIOPHYS 279, BIOE279, CME 279, CS 279)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1272883
  • 2159424

  • BIOPHYS 241 (same as BIOC 241, BIOE 241, SBIO 241)

  • BIOPHYS 279 (same as BIOE 279, BIOMEDIN 279, CME 279, and CS 279)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2186014

  • BIODS 237 (same as BIOMEDIN 273B, CS 273B, GENE 236)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2049641
  • 1272331
  • 2103682

  • CBIO 101 (same as PATH 101)

  • CBIO 275 (same as IMMUNOL 275)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1033981

  • CHEMENG 450 (same as BIOE 450) may only count toward the Biology requirements once.

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1119961
  • 2045011
OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2183881
  • 2183891
  • 2052151
  • 2052161
  • 2067661
  • 2069311

  • CHEM 181 (may not count if CHEM 141/143 were also taken.)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2104593
  • 1035081
  • 1036811

  • CEE 162I (same as EARTHSYS 146B)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2085281
  • 1272172
  • 2071961
  • 2186011
  • 1410302
  • 2064032
  • 2159421

  • CS 270 (same as BIOMEDIN 210)

  • CS 273A (same as BIOMEDIN 273A, DBIO 273A)

  • CS 273B (same as BIODS 237, BIOMEDIN 273B, GENE 236)

  • CS 274 (same as BIOE/BIOMEDIN/GENE 214)

  • CS 275 (same as BIOE 217, BIOMEDIN 217, GENE 217)

  • CS 279 (same as BIOPHYS 279, BIOE 279, BIOMEDIN 279, and CME 279)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1273481
  • 1273491
  • 2071963

  • DBIO 273A (same as CS 273A)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2045512
  • 2176083
  • 2001623
  • 1295162
  • 1295152
  • 2104592
  • 2136593
  • 2136583
  • 1295042
  • 2043393
  • 1297234

  • EARTHSYS 114 (same as HUMBIO 114)

  • EARTHSYS 132 (same as ESS 132, GEOLSCI 132)

  • EARTHSYS 141 (same as ESS 141, GEOPHYS 141)

  • EARTHSYS 142 (same as ESS 162)

  • EARTHSYS 144 (same as ESS 164)

  • EARTHSYS 146B (same as CEE 162I)

  • EARTHSYS 151 (same as ESS 151) TAKE WITH 152

  • EARTHSYS 152 (same as ESS 152) TAKE WITH 151

  • EARTHSYS 155 (same as ESS 155)

  • EARTHSYS 158 (same as ESS 158)

  • EARTHSYS 240 (same as ENERGY 240, ESS 239, GEOLSCI 240)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1297231

  • ENERGY 240 (same as EARTHSYS 240, ESS 239, GEOLSCI 240)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2176082
  • 2001621
  • 2136591
  • 2136581
  • 1295041
  • 2043392
  • 1295161
  • 1295151
  • 1297236

  • ESS 132 (same as EARTHSYS 132, GEOLSCI 132)

  • ESS 141 (same as EARTHSYS 141, GEOPHYS 141)

  • ESS 151 (same as EARTHSYS 151) TAKE WITH 152

  • ESS 152 (same as EARTHSYS 152) TAKE WITH 151

  • ESS 155 (same as EARTHSYS 155)

  • ESS 158 (same as EARTHSYS 158)

  • ESS 162 (same as EARTHSYS 142)

  • ESS 164 (same as EARTHSYS 144)

  • ESS 239 (same as EARTHSYS 240, ENERGY 240, GEOLSCI 240)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2034661
  • 2012731
  • 1410303
  • 2064034
  • 2037661
  • 2186013

  • GENE 214 (same as BIOE/BIOMEDIN 214, CS 274)

  • GENE 217 (same as BIOE 217, BIOMEDIN 217, CS 275)

  • GENE 236 (same as BIODS 237, BIOMEDIN 273B, CS 273B)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2176085
  • 1297232

  • GEOLSCI 132 (same as EARTHSYS 132, ESS 132)

  • GEOLSCI 240 (same as ENERGY 240, EARTHSYS 240, ESS 239)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2001625

  • GEOPHYS 141 (same as ESS 141, EARTHSYS 141)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2100491
  • 2045511
  • 1117201
  • 1116441
  • 2160141

  • HUMBIO 114 (same as EARTHSYS 114)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1274722
  • 1274731
  • 2037101
  • 2129641
  • 2106271
  • 2103681
  • 2188741

  • IMMUNOL 275 (same as CBIO 275)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1116632
  • 1274531
OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2027102
OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1275881
OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2034961
  • 2212761
  • 2212751

  • OSPAUSTL 10 (counts for 2 units)

  • OSPAUSTL 28 (counts for 2 units)

  • OSPAUSTL 32 (counts for 2 units)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2076181
OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2049642

  • PATH 101 (same as CBIO 101)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1226731
OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1238581
  • 1240421
  • 1240681

  • PSYCH 221 (same as SYMSYS 195I)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2022621

  • RAD 220 (same as BIOE 220)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1253981
  • 2012081
  • 1254161
OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1272882

  • SBIO 241 (same as BIOC 241, BIOE 241, BIOPHYS 241)

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2134011
OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1284201
OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1240682

  • SYMSYS 195I (same as PSYCH 221)

Completion requirement
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1118511
  • 2181841
  • 2149461
  • 2115041
  • 2126401
  • 2040211
  • 2219261
Completion requirement

Not yet required

Completion requirement
Complete at least 10 of the following Courses:
No selection provided
Earn an average grade of 3.0 in the following:
  • BIO-BS

To graduate with departmental honors, a student must conduct an independent research project typically over the course of at least one year; projects are started no later than Autumn or Winter Quarter of the junior year. Research must be done in a Biology Department lab or a lab in another department for which the student has obtained prior approval. Administrative steps include:

  1. Submit an approved honors proposal to the department's student services office two quarters prior to graduation. For instance, students graduating Spring Quarter must submit petitions no later than Autumn Quarter of the same academic year.

  2. Complete at least 10 units of an approved research project in from the same lab. Students conducting research in a lab outside of the department of Biology must submit an Out of Department Research Petition either before they start their research, or if research was started prior to declaring the Biology major, as soon as their major declaration is approved. Only research units from BIO or BIOHOPK are counted toward the 10 unit requirement.

  3. Obtain at least a 3.0 (B) grade point average (GPA) in all Biology major requirements taken at Stanford (foundational, breadth, and elective courses). Grades earned from these teaching and research are not computed into this GPA: BIO 198, BIO 198X, BIO 199, BIO 199X, BIO 290, BIO 291, BIO 296, BIOHOPK 199H, BIOHOPK 290H.

  4. If graduating in Spring, participate in the annual Achauer Undergraduate Biology Honors Symposium by presenting a poster or giving an oral presentation. The symposium is typically held at the end of May. Students graduating in Autumn, Winter, or Summer Quarter must produce a poster in the quarter in which they graduate to be displayed at the symposium, however their attendance is optional.

  5. Complete and, by the published deadline within the quarter graduation is expected, submit online an honors thesis approved by at least two readers. At least one reader must be from the faculty of the Department of Biology, and both readers must be Academic Council members. The title page of the honors thesis must include student name, thesis title, name and department of research sponsor, and name and department of second reader. Students must submit this page with original ink signatures to the student services office by the published deadline for the quarter in which graduation is expected.

Further information on the honors program is available on the Honors Program and Undergraduate Research in Biology web site.

Completion requirement
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 2193661
  • 2193651
  • 2193671
  • 2193751
  • 2193621
    OR     2193681
    OR     2219261
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 2183881
  • 2183891
  • 1172571
    OR     2023541
Complete at least 3 of the following Courses:
  • 2132592
  • 2040301
  • 1275822
  • 1119291
  • 1275793
  • 2079241
  • 2115241
  • 2114201
  • 2022622
  • 2053172
  • 1272884
  • 1272171
  • 1272883
  • 1272892
  • 2052161
  • 2067661
  • 2069311
  • 2159421
  • 1119961
  • 2045011
  • 1039041
  • 2027101
  • 1226731
  • 2012081
Students will take advanced courses in Biology and related subjects. 23 units are required.

If the required elective courses above total less than 23 units, please select 100-level and above BIO and BIOHOPK courses or other 100-level and above science and math courses from this approved list.

Note: A maximum of 6 units of BIO 196-199, BIO 290-292 or BIO 296 and a maximum of 3 units from BIO 114 can count towards this requirement.

Completion requirement
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1056441
    OR     1056451
    OR     1056481
  • 1172571
    OR     2023541
Complete at least 3 of the following Courses:
  • 2007821
  • 2225911
  • 2132592
  • 2123501
  • 1120641
  • 2088446
  • 2190331
  • 2115241
  • 2114201
  • 2122201
  • 2117823
  • 1272172
  • 2215992
  • 1410293
  • 2071961
  • 2186011
  • 2214723
  • 1410302
  • 2064032
  • 2159421
  • 2012731
  • 2129641
  • 2162561
Students will take advanced courses in Biology and related subjects. 23 units are required.

If the required elective courses above total less than 23 units, please select 100-level and above BIO and BIOHOPK courses or other 100-level and above science and math courses from this approved list.

Note: A maximum of 6 units of BIO 196-199, BIO 290-292 or BIO 296 and a maximum of 3 units from BIO 114 can count towards this requirement.

Completion requirement
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 2193621
    OR     2219261
  • 2193661
  • 2193681
Complete at least 2 of the following Courses:
  • 2193651
  • 2193671
  • 2193751
Complete at least 5 of the following Courses:
  • 1118651
  • 1118661
  • 2012621
  • 2109771
  • 1118901
  • 2211561
  • 2217082
  • 2202841
  • 2142091
  • 2160951
  • 1116692
  • 1119201
  • 2217001
  • 1119251
  • 2216971
  • 2202881
  • 1095524
  • 2211421
  • 2083641
  • 2160054
  • 2123501
  • 1120641
  • 2211562
  • 2116141
  • 1121651
  • 1121671
  • 1121771
  • 1121781
  • 2020132
  • 2154563
  • 1295162
  • 1295152
  • 2043393
  • 2034961
  • 2212761
  • 2212751

Notes:

-OSPAUSTL 10, 28, 32 counts as 6 units.

-BIOHOPK 174H can count as either elective credit OR the statistics foundational breadth requirement.

Students will take advanced courses in Biology and related subjects. 23 units are required.

If the required elective courses above total less than 23 units, please select 100-level and above BIO and BIOHOPK courses or other 100-level and above science and math courses from this approved list.

Note: A maximum of 6 units of BIO 196-199, BIO 290-292 or BIO 296 and a maximum of 3 units from BIO 114 can count towards this requirement.

Completion requirement
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 2193621
    OR     2219261
  • 2193661
  • 2193681
Complete at least 2 of the following Courses:
  • 2193651
  • 2193671
  • 2193751
Complete at least 5 of the following Courses:
  • 2109771
  • 1118901
  • 2243111
  • 2226861
  • 2160951
  • 1238562
  • 2243141
  • 2152151
  • 1121651
  • 1121771
  • 2020132
  • 2084881
  • 2111622
  • 2110982
  • 2034961
  • 2212761
  • 2212751

Note: OSPAUSTL 10, 28, 32 counts as 6 units.

Students will take advanced courses in Biology and related subjects. 23 units are required.

If the required elective courses above total less than 23 units, please select 100-level and above BIO and BIOHOPK courses or other 100-level and above science and math courses from this approved list.

Note: A maximum of 6 units of BIO 196-199, BIO 290-292 or BIO 296 and a maximum of 3 units from BIO 114 can count towards this requirement.

Completion requirement
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 2083641
    OR     1274531
  • 2183881
  • 2183891
Complete at least 2 of the following Courses:
  • 2225911
  • 2040301
  • 2084401
  • 2083641
  • 2160054
  • 1120201
  • 2061731
  • 1035081
  • 1036781
  • 1036791
  • 1036811
  • 2043393
  • 1274722
  • 1274731
  • 2129641
  • 2106271
  • 2103681
  • 2188741
  • 1274531
  • 1274711
Students will take advanced courses in Biology and related subjects. 23 units are required.

If the required elective courses above total less than 23 units, please select 100-level and above BIO and BIOHOPK courses or other 100-level and above science and math courses from this approved list.

Note: A maximum of 6 units of BIO 196-199, BIO 290-292 or BIO 296 and a maximum of 3 units from BIO 114 can count towards this requirement.

Completion requirement
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 2193661
  • 2193651
  • 2193671
  • 2193751
  • 2193621
    OR     2193681
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1119331
    OR     2193611
  • 2183881
  • 2183891
Complete at least 2 of the following Courses:
  • 2109651
  • 2177931
  • 1119291
  • 1119331
  • 2193611
  • 2225891
  • 2149461
  • 2100541
  • 2084401
  • 2115241
  • 2148481
  • 1272892
  • 2136171
  • 2071961
  • 2186011
  • 2159421
  • 1119961
  • 1273491
  • 2126934
  • 2012731
  • 2037661
  • 2134011
Students will take advanced courses in Biology and related subjects. 23 units are required.

If the required elective courses above total less than 23 units, please select 100-level and above BIO and BIOHOPK courses or other 100-level and above science and math courses from this approved list.

Note: A maximum of 6 units of BIO 196-199, BIO 290-292 or BIO 296 and a maximum of 3 units from BIO 114 can count towards this requirement.

Completion requirement
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 2193661
  • 2193651
  • 2193671
  • 2193751
  • 2193621
    OR     2219261
    OR     2193681
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 2183881
  • 2183891
  • 2132592
    OR     1119291
    OR     2057811
  • 1119331
    OR     2156801
Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
  • 1120343
  • 1119251
  • 2216971
  • 1275881
Students will take advanced courses in Biology and related subjects. 23 units are required.

If the required elective courses above total less than 23 units, please select 100-level and above BIO and BIOHOPK courses or other 100-level and above science and math courses from this approved list.

Note: A maximum of 6 units of BIO 196-199, BIO 290-292 or BIO 296 and a maximum of 3 units from BIO 114 can count towards this requirement.

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