Major and Minor Requirements
Students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA), a Bachelor of Science (BS), or a minor in biological sciences; pair their degree with additional research courses; and pursue an honors track.
Biological sciences is one of five biology majors at UConn. It is a joint program that spans three academic departments: ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB), molecular and cell biology (MCB), and physiology and neurobiology (PNB).
Biological sciences students gain a broad understanding of how these fields interact with each other. They also have access to the classes, faculty, and resources in all three departments.
Major Requirements
All biological sciences majors are required to take the following introductory classes and are encouraged to do so by the end of their sophomore year:
- BIOL 1107 Principles of Biology I (4 credits) and
- BIOL 1108: Principles of Biology II (4 credits) or BIOL 1110: Introduction to Botany (4 credits)
Students must complete at least 36 credits from any EEB, MCB, or PNB course at the 2000 level or higher. Six credits must be at the 3000 level or higher. The 36 credits must include courses from the several major requirements categories, including the introductory biology courses listed above.
For a complete list of requirements, visit the Biology Advising Center website.
Common Double Majors and Minor
Many biological sciences students choose to double major or minor in another field.
Double Majors
- Allied Health
- Anthropology
- Biology Education
- English
- History
- Human Development and Family Sciences
- Psychological Sciences
- Sociology
- Spanish
Minors
- Anthropology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- English
- Healthcare Management and Insurance Studies
- Mathematics
- Neuroscience
- Spanish
- Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Minor Requirements
Students who wish to complete a minor in biological sciences must take at least 15 credits of 2000-level or higher courses in EEB, MCB, and PNB.
The minor is typically completed by students pursuing a major in a field related to health care, such as allied health, pharmacy, and nursing; or pre-med students majoring in subjects other than biology.
For a complete list of requirements, visit the UConn Catalog website.
Learn through Experience
Whether you participate in an internship, research, a learning community, or study abroad, you’ll apply what you learn in class and gain transferable skills that prepare you for any career.