Biological Science: A Four Year Plan

See the Georgetown College catalog for current requirements for the biology major.

Students considering a major in Biology are strongly encouraged to start their freshman year with BIO 111 in the fall semester and BIO 212 in the spring (as described in Pattern 1 below). However, students who decide on a Biology major during or after their freshman year will select Pattern 2 as described below.

Pattern 1

For students starting the major in the fall semester of the freshman year

  • Year 1:
    • 8 hours in Biology: BIO 111, 212
    • 0 – 8 hours in Chemistry: CHE 111, 112, 113 (see notes below)
  • Year 2:
    • 8 hours in Biology: BIO 214, 314 (see notes below)
    • 0 – 8 hours in Chemistry: CHE 111, 112, 113 (see notes below)
    • 3 hours, MAT 111
  • Year 3:
    • 9 – 10 hours in Biology courses numbered 300 or higher, including BIO 451 and 335 or field elective
  • Year 4:
    • 9 – 10 hours in Biology courses numbered 300 or higher, including BIO 452 and field elective or 335

Pattern 2

For students starting the major in the sophomore year:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2:
    • 8 – 12 hours in Biology, including BIO 111 and 212
    • 0 – 8 hours in Chemistry: CHE 111, 112, (see notes below)
  • Year 3:
    • 12 – 14 hours in Biology, including BIO 214, 314, and 451
    • 0 – 8 hours in Chemistry: CHE 111, 112, 113 (see notes below)
    • MAT 111 and BIO 335 or field elective
  • Year 4:
    • 12 – 14 hours in Biology, including BIO 452, and field elective or BIO 335

Notes

  • CHE 111, 112, and 113 should be taken during the freshman year, contingent on student preparation. MAT 107 or proficiency is strongly advised before taking CHE 111.
  • If you are considering going to medical, dental, or pharmacy school, you should take CHE 111, 112, and 113 in your freshman year. This is so that you can complete both chemistry and physics by the end of your junior year, when you will most likely take the MCAT, DAT, or PCAT tests used for pre-professional school admissions decisions. However, as stated above, if you are not proficient to the level of MAT 107, you should wait. Remember that it is possible to take some courses during the summer. In recent years, CHE 111, 112, and 113 have been offered regularly in the summer sessions.
  • The biology core courses, BIO 111, 212, 214 and/or 314, are prerequisites for most upper-level classes and should be completed by the end of the sophomore year, if possible. You should either take all four core courses before taking BIO 451, or take the last core course concurrently with BIO451.
  • MAT 121 and CHE 201, 202, 309and 310 are strongly recommended for Biology Majors.