UMass Lowell
Undergraduate Course Catalog
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Biological Sciences Major

Students majoring in Biological Sciences prepare for a variety of careers which contribute to our understanding of basic life processes and the solution of problems related to health and the environment. Many students graduating with Bachelors degrees are employed by institutions involved in bio-medical research or environmental field studies, while others become science educators. Degree recipients often choose to continue their education in professional (medical, veterinary, dental) schools or by matriculating into masters and doctoral programs. Since their training in science is integrated with an education in humanities and social sciences, graduates are not only prepared to excel in expanding the base of knowledge in their field of expertise, but are able to understand and respond to social and ethical issues arising from these advances.

The undergraduate program insures a strong foundation in supporting science and mathematics and provides the essential background needed for a career in modern biology. A variety of upper-level electives is available, and the curriculum is sufficiently flexible so that students may tailor it to meet their specific career goals and entrance requirements of professional schools and postgraduate programs. Although it is not required, qualified seniors are encouraged to conduct original research as a capstone to their undergraduate experience. Enrolling in Senior Research provides graduation credits, but more importantly, many of these projects have resulted in a student’s first publication in a professional journal or have been presented at scientific meetings.

General Education Guidelines

Students must conform to the General Education guidelines as outlined elsewhere in this document. These include: 3 approved Arts & Humanities courses and 3 approved Social Science courses (one designated as ethics and one as diversity).

Degree Requirements

 Supporting Science & Math

84.121 Chemistry I 3 cr
84.123 Chemistry I Lab 1 cr
84.122 Chemistry II 3 cr
84.124 Chemistry II Lab 1 cr
84.221 Organic Chemistry IA 3 cr
84.229 Organic Chemistry Lab IA 1 cr
84.222 Organic Chemistry IIA 3 cr
84.230 Organic Chemistry Lab IIA 1 cr
92.131 Calculus I 4 cr
92.132 Calculus II 4 cr
92.385 Applied Statistics 3 cr
95.103 General Physics I 3 cr
95.104 General Physics II 3 cr
96.103 General Physics Lab I 1 cr
96.104 General Physics Lab II 1 cr

Bioinformatics Option

Biotechnology Option

Ecology Option

General Biology Option

Environmental Elective - 3 credits

81.315 Principles of Ecology 3 cr
OR
81.404 Environmental Microbiology 3 cr
OR
81.423 Biology of Global Change 3 cr

Desiganted Biology Electives - 14 credits

View the complete Course of Study (pdf).

Two semesters of senior research or two full-time upper level biology courses each with a laboratory component, as well as two additional full-time upper level biology courses.

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