WBM? Section V: The Majors

image peacock This section includes brief information on each undergraduate major in the biological sciences. Additional information for each major can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Once again, students who intend to pursue careers in medicine, veterinary medicine, or dentistry must choose a major. It is possible for the exceptional student to be admitted to medical school at the beginning of the senior year and still earn an undergraduate degree. (See the Medical Science major.)

In addition to the undergraduate majors described here, the individual major program in the Colleges of Agricultural and Life Sciences and Letters and Sciences and School of Education allows students to design their own major. For additional information on the Individual Major program, see the Colleges of Agricultural and Life Sciences and Letters and Science and School of Education sections in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Guidelines to Information Provided for Each Major

Field of Study

...provides a brief definition of the area of specialization.

Possible Careers

...provides a limited listing of job titles or career areas and is meant to illustrate the diverse opportunities the major can lead to. This listing is not meant to be complete, and some of these careers will require additional education or training. Careers in medicine and veterinary medicine are included in the listings of possible careers for many of the majors. With proper course selection, any of these majors can prepare you for medical school, veterinary school or other professional or graduate programs.

Information on job outlook is not provided here, although - for some majors - advisors have supplied limited information on employment opportunities under "Special Opportunities & Additional Information."

Special Opportunities & Additional Information

...includes information about some of the opportunities open to undergraduates in the major, e.g., undergraduate clubs, field trips, etc.

Selected Required Courses

...lists the introductory biology, calculus, general and organic chemistry, and physics courses required for the major. (This booklet does not address required courses in other disciplines.) "Optional" indicates that taking one or more such courses is one way to fulfill a major or degree requirement. See the appropriate section in the Undergraduate Catalog and/or an advisor for a detailed explanation of the options for fulfilling major and degree requirements.

For majors having different requirements for different options, programs, or degrees within the major, this listing includes the most rigorous requirements. Other options, programs, or degrees may have fewer or less demanding requirements.

Where more than one course or course sequence can be used to fulfill a requirement, higher course numbers indicate increased rigor or depth of coverage of material. Many advisors express strong preference for the most rigorous class. Note: For those majors where advisors have indicated a strong preference for one course or course sequence, the preferred course or course sequence has been indicated.

In some cases, Math 211 can be substituted for Math 221. Students are, however, strongly advised to take Math 221, which provides a more thorough introduction to calculus and maximizes the student's options in terms of choosing other courses and a major.

Recommended Course Sequence for Freshman Year

...provides recommendations for biology, chemistry and math courses. For each semester, you will also need to select additional courses to fulfill breadth, ethnic studies and/or other requirements. Note that these are recommended- not required - course sequences.

Advisor

...departments often have a faculty or staff member who serves as a primary advisor for prospective majors. This advisor should be the first contact for any student considering the major.

Departmental Office

...provides the campus address, telephone number and website (if available) of the office where students can request printed materials with more information about the major.

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The Majors

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