Biological Sciences, BS

A new approach to teaching biology

As a biology student at Arizona State University, you are part of a new movement to reinvent science learning, designed to prioritize your needs and empower you to not only succeed but be transformed into a future leader and problem solver.

ASU’s adaptive and flexible teaching model levels the playing field for all learners, allowing anyone to understand complex concepts and gain the confidence to take on scientific challenges in a growing field. 

Here, you will apply biological models through immersive exploration and hands-on discovery. Explore a 24,000-square-foot Natural History Collection, the only insectary of its kind in Arizona and several research opportunities for online students, which set our programs apart from other institutions across the globe. Together, we’ll learn how to visualize and build a better world.

Degree details for on-campus students

Major core for on-campus participants 

Note: Once you start a General BIO sequence, you must complete the full sequence (BIO 181 and 182 OR BIO 281 and 282).

• BIO 181 General Biology I (4) or BIO 281 Conceptual Approaches to Biology for Majors I (4)
• BIO 182 General Biology II (4) or BIO 282 Conceptual Approaches to Biology for Majors II (4)
• BIO 340 General Genetics (4) 
• BIO 345 Evolution (3)

Additional on-campus major requirements

Pick five courses from the following for 15+ credit hours.

• BCH 361 Principles of Biochemistry (3)
• BIO 311/HPS 340 Biology and Society or BIO 312/PHI 320 Bioethics or BIO 318/HPS 331 History of Medicine or BIO 416/HPS 410 Biomedical Research Ethics or HPS/PHI 314 Philosophy of Science (3)
• BIO 308 Plant Physiology (4)
• BIO 320 Fundamentals of Ecology (3)
• BIO 331 Animal Behavior (3)
• BIO 351 Developmental Biology (3)
• BIO 353 Cell Biology (3)
• BIO 360 Animal Physiology (3)
• BIO 370 Vertebrate Zoology (4) 
• BIO 385 Comparative Invertebrate Zoology (4)
• MIC 220 Biology of Microorganisms & MIC 206 Microbiology Laboratory (4)

Please see an advisor if above courses are not offered in the term you wish to take them.

On-campus major laboratory / research courses

Complete two courses from the list below. Only 3 credits of 495, 484 or 492 can count towards one lab.

• BIO 308 Plant Physiology (4)
• BIO 321 Introductory Ecology Laboratory (2)
• BIO 342 General Genetics Laboratory (2)
• BIO/MBB 343 Genetic Engineering and Society (4)
• BIO 352 Laboratory in Vertebrate Developmental Anatomy (2)
• BIO 357 Cell Biology Laboratory (2)
• BIO 361 Animal Physiology Laboratory (2)
• BIO 370 Vertebrate Zoology (4)
• BIO 385 Comparative Invertebrate Zoology (4)
• BIO 386 General Entomology (4)
• BIO 435 Research Techniques in Animal Behavior (3)
• BIO 451 Cell Biotechnology Laboratory (4)
• BIO 471 Ornithology (3)
• BIO 474 Herpetology (4)
• BIO 475 Advanced Human Anatomy (3)
• BIO/HPS/MIC/MBB 495 Undergraduate Research or BIO/HPS/MIC/MBB 484 Internship or BIO/MIC/MBB 492 Honors Directed Study may be substituted for one lab course (1-3)
• MBB 350 Applied Genetics (4)
• MIC 302 Advanced Bacteriology Laboratory (2)
• MIC 421 Experimental Immunology (2)

Major on-campus electives

Any SOLS upper division coursework (300 and 400 level BIO/HPS/MIC/MBB) will count in this area, including BCH 361, that has not already been used in the major area.

Requirements in related fields for on-campus participants

Choose one of the two tracks: General and Organic Chemistry or Pre-health sequence

General chemistry 

• CHM 113 General Chemistry I (4)
• CHM 116 General Chemistry II (4)

AND Organic chemistry 

• CHM 231 Elementary Organic Chemistry (3)
• CHM 235 Elementary Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1) 

OR Pre health sequence 

• CHM 233 General Organic Chemistry I (3)
• CHM 234 General Organic Chemistry II (3)
• CHM 237 General Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1)
• CHM 238 General Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1)

Physics 

Choose one of two tracks: General Physics or the Pre-health sequence

• PHY 101 Introduction to Physics (4) 

OR pre-health sequence

• PHY 111 General Physics I (3)
• PHY 112 General Physics II (3)
• PHY 113 General Physics Laboratory I (1)
• PHY 114 General Physics Laboratory II (1)

Math (complete one)

• MAT 251 Calculus for Life Sciences (3)
• MAT 210 Brief Calculus (3)

Statistics (complete one)

• STP 231 Statistics for Biosciences (3) 
• STP 226 Elementary Statistics (3)

For more information on requirements and recommendations specific to this degree please see our Did you know for on-campus degrees page. 

Degree details for online students

Major core for online students

• BIO 181 General Biology I (4) 
• BIO 182 General Biology II (4) 
• BIO 340 General Genetics (4) 
• BIO 345 Evolution (3)

Additional major requirements for online students

Pick five courses from the following for 15+ credit hours

• BIO 312/PHI 320 Bioethics (3) or PHI 314 Philosophy of Science (3) or BIO 311/HPS 340 Biology and Society (3) or BIO 416 Biomedical Research Ethics (3)
• BIO 320 Fundamentals of Ecology (3)
• BIO 331 Animal Behavior (3)
• BIO 351 Developmental Biology (3)
• BIO 353 Cell Biology (3)
• BIO 360 Animal Physiology (3)
• BIO 370 Vertebrate Zoology (4) 
• MIC 205 Microbiology & MIC 206 Microbiology Laboratory (4)

Please see an advisor if above courses are not offered in the term you wish to take them.

Major laboratory / research courses

Complete two courses from the list below. Credits from labs are accounted for in the major general elective area.

• BIO 321 Introductory Ecology Laboratory (2)
• BIO 357 Cell and Molecular Bio Lab (2)
• BIO 361 Animal Physiology Laboratory (2)
• BIO 370 Vertebrate Zoology (4)
• BIO 495 Undergraduate Research or BIO 484 Internship (1-3)

Online major electives

Any SOLS upper division coursework (300 and 400 level BIO/HPS/MIC/MBB) will count in this area, including BCH 361, that has not already been used in the major area.

Online requirements in related fields

Online general chemistry (take both)

Choose one of the two tracks: General and Organic Chemistry or Pre-health sequence

• CHM 113 General Chemistry I (4)
• CHM 116 General Chemistry II (4)

AND Online organic chemistry (take both)

• CHM 231 Elementary Organic Chemistry SQ 1 (3)
• CHM 235 Elementary Organic Chemistry Laboratory SQ 1 (1) 

OR pre-health sequence

• CHM 233 General Organic Chemistry I (3)
• CHM 234 General Organic Chemistry II (3)
• CHM 237 General Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1)
• CHM 238 General Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1)

Online physics electives

Choose one of two tracks: General Physics or the Pre-health sequence

Physics

• PHY 101 Introduction to Physics (4 hours)

OR Pre-health sequence

• PHY 111 General Physics I (3)
• PHY 112 General Physics II (3)
• PHY 113 General Physics Laboratory I (1)
• PHY 114 General Physics Laboratory II (1)

Online math proficiency electives

Complete one of the following

• MAT 251 Calculus for Life Sciences (3)
• MAT 210 Brief Calculus (3)

Online statistics electives

Complete one of the following

• STP 231 Statistics for Biosciences (3) 
• STP 226 Elementary Statistics (3)

For more information or to review recommendations from advising visit our advising recommendations page.