Biology

..the science of life

All living organisms are the basic concern of biology. Biologists are interested in how living things begin, how they develop, how they function, and where they are found. The Biology Program at Oregon State University brings together faculty and subject matter from all the specialized departments within the biological sciences-from botany, the study of plants; from zoology, the study of animals; from microbiology, the study of minute organisms; from biochemistry and biophysics, the chemical and physical basis of life; and from entomology, the study of insects. The Biology Program provides a broad but solid coursework background. It allows students to concentrate in fields covered by more than one department, such as animal behavior, developmental biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, and marine biology.

The College of Science contributes outstanding resources toward the biology program, including controlled-temperature rooms, greenhouses, special animal care facilities, culture chambers, and sophisticated equipment. Laboratory space, as well as a choice natural setting, is also available at the Hatfield Marine Science Center, located on Oregon's biologically rich coast, and at the Malheur Field Station in the southeastern part of the state.

Career Opportunities in Biology

Biology is basic to a vast array of specialties and professions. It offers many career opportunities in government agencies, business firms, and industry. An undergraduate major in biology is also an excellent preparation for graduate school or one of the professional schools, such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, or veterinary medicine. Biologists work in food production, in medicine, with regulatory agencies, and with public and private groups concerned about the environment. Others teach or do research, or both. Some recent OSU biology graduates are employed as:

Course of Study

Requirements for a major in biology include completion of biology core courses and additional upper division courses that may be concentrated in a specific area of interest. Students might focus on ecology, environmental biology, evolutionary biology, genetics, marine biology, plant biology, or physiology or take courses from different subject areas. Students may also choose one of the preprofessional options. Specific courses may be chosen to achieve particular goals; however, such choices should be made in close consultation with an adviser. Requirements for graduation include 51 credits needed for the Baccalaureate Core, consisting of writing/speech (9 cr), mathematics (3 cr), fitness (3 cr), physical and biological sciences (12 cr), western culture/cultural diversity/literature & arts/social processes (18 cr), and contemporary global issues/science, technology and society (6 cr).

Biology Core Curriculum

Freshman Year Credits

Sophomore Year

Junior and Senior Years

Common Areas of Interest

Biology majors may elect to concentrate on an area of interest and take appropriate courses according to individual interests. A detailed list of recommended courses for each area of concentration is available from program advisers or the Biology Program Office in Cordley 2042.

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