Biology B.S.

BIOL3011 can count toward Supplemental Biology Electives if WRIT 3150 or WRIT 3180 have been completed or if there has been a previous completion of BIOL 3011.

Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120

Required credits within the major: 79 - 85

The Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) sub-plan prepares students for graduate school and for careers in cell biology, genetics, developmental biology, physiology, immunology, biotechnology, molecular biology and microbiology. The sub-plan is also designed to prepare students for application to professional schools including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine. Students in the CMB sub-plan will choose at least 3 Cell Biology electives exploring the structure and function of cells. Students will also incorporate courses from other elective categories to tailor their degrees to meet their goals.

Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120

Required credits within the major: 75 - 79

Students in the Ecology, Evolution, and the Environment (EEE) sub-plan study the origin and maintenance of biodiversity and the interrelationship of organisms with each other and their physical environment. The program prepares students for a wide range of careers including teaching, working on environmental problems for government agencies and industry, and researching at university and other institutions. It also provides excellent preparation for graduate school or professional programs including medicine and veterinary medicine. Students in the EEE sub-plan will take specific coursework in EEE, chemistry, and quantitative reasoning, as well as additional electives in the EEB and Diversity and Taxonomy categories plus an elective in either Anatomy, Morphology, and Physiology or Cell Biology. These courses include inquiry-based activities that explore the ecology, evolution and behavior of the diversity of life from microbes to moose.

Effective spring 2026, this sub-plan in the Biology B.S. program is not accepting students. Please refer to the Biology B.A. Medical Laboratory Sciences sub-plan.

Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120

Required credits within the major: 85 - 88

The Biology Bachelor of Science with Medical Laboratory Science sub-plan prepares students careers in health care including nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant, and a diverse array of health care technician programs. Within this sub-plan, students will take targeted coursework to prepare for their application to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Certificate program. Upon acceptance to the certificate program, students will complete two MLSP courses in spring and/or summer plus one fall semester of MLSP coursework on the Twin Cities campus that will meet the Biology BS degree requirements.

Students will graduate with their Biology BS prior to completing all MLS coursework and will finish their remaining MLS Certificate coursework and clinicals as Twin Cities certificate students. (Enrollment solely in a certificate program does not qualify a student for federal financial aid; students are encouraged to work with the MLS Certificate program contacts regarding scholarship opportunities that may be available.)

Students who complete the full certificate will be prepared to perform complex testing in laboratories requiring advanced technical skills and problem-solving abilities that are in demand in hospitals, clinics, and doctors offices as well as in research, forensic, and reference laboratories.