Requirements Main Page
The requirements for obtaining a Bachelors of Science (BS) in Biology
are detailed in the current Undergraduate
Catalog, or download a
PDF copy of the Biology Section.
Minor Offerings and Double Major in Biology
Students who wish to minor in biology must take 15-8
hours of courses in biology, including at least
9 hours at the 3000-level or above. Students
who take more than 15 hours of courses in biology may count the
additional hours toward their electives, or may consider completing
a "double major". (A grade of "C"
or better is required in all courses counting toward minor.)
Residency Requirements
A minimum of 39 semester hours in courses at the 3000- level or
above must be completed in residence at GSU, with an average grade
of "C" or better.
Graduation with Distinction
At least three hours of Biology 4910 and a grade-point average of
3.5 in the major area requirements for graduation with distinction.
Download the primer for Biol 4910 (PDF) to get helpful pointers for research credit.
Secondary Education
Students who seek license to teach science, grades 7-12, must do
so through the Bachelor
of Interdisciplinary Studies program for Broad Field Science."
Biology Major at Georgia State University
In addition to the core requirements of the College of Arts and Science, students must complete the following to receive a degree in Biology:
Major: Biology
- One year of General Biology – BIOL2107K* (prereq is CHEM1211) and BIOL2108K (8 hours total)
- One Biology course at the 2000 level (2 hours)
- BIOL3800 – Molecular Cell Biology (prereqs BIOL2108 and CHEM1212) (3 hours)
- BIOL3810 – Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory (2 hours)
- BIOL3840 – Animal Biology (3 hours)
- BIOL3880 – Microbiology (3 hours)
- BIOL3900 – Genetics (3 hours)
Students must choose at least one of the following labs: BIOL3450 – Animal Biology Laboratory, BIOL3890 – Microbiology Laboratory, BIOL3910 – Genetics Laboratory (1 hour)
BIOL4960 – Careers Seminar OR BIOL4970 – Research Seminar (1 hour)
Electives: Students must complete 23 more hours in Biology at the 3000 or 4000 level. This can include additional labs or seminars (up to 4 hours).
Minor: Chemistry
- One year of General Chemistry - CHEM1211K and CHEM1212K
- One year of Organic Chemistry – CHEM2400 and CHEM3410
- One semester of Biochemistry – CHEM4600
Students must complete 8 more hours in Biology at 3000 or 4000 level OR one of several other courses listed in the catalog (additional chemistry, math, psychology, philosophy, courses, others may also substitute)
Additional requirements:
- One year of General Physics – PHYS1111K and PHYS1112K
- MATH1113 – Precalculus or higher
- Highly recommended - PHIL2410 – Critical Thinking
Concentrations in the Major
We offer 4 different concentrations in the major (Pre-Professional/Physiology, Neurobiology and Behavior, Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, and Microbiology). This allows a student to specialize in one area and mostly entails taking a specific lab and electives in the specific concentration area.
* the K designation means that the course includes a laboratory component
Options for students:
BIOL4910 – Independent Research (5 hours)
Students find a laboratory that will work with them to complete a research project. A BIOL4910 approval form (found in 402 Kell Hall) must be filled out in order for the student to get access to register. BIOL4910 may be taken twice for credit and is graded on a S (satisfactory)/U (unsatisfactory) basis. These credits are applied to the elective credit in the Biology Major. Download the primer for Biol 4910 (PDF) to get helpful pointers for research credit.
BIOL4999 – Directed Readings , Undergraduate students (1-4 hours, variable)
If a student is graduating at the end of the semester and needs 1-4 more hours of elective credit, they are allowed to register for BIOL4999. This course is fairly open-ended but entails doing library research and/or reading primary literature. The instructor and student should set up a course of study. A BIOL4999 approval form is required, the instructor must detail the course requirements and how the grade (A-F) will be determined.
The PreMed Option
Course for students planning on applying to Medical School.
Premed (prevet, prepharm, etc.) is not a major, it is a program of study. The student may be working towards any major but must complete the following courses:
- One year of General Biology – we suggest BIOL2107K and BIOL2108K
- One year of General Chemistry - CHEM1211K and CHEM1212K
- One year of Organic Chemistry – CHEM2400 and CHEM3410
- Organic Labs I and II – CHEM3100 and CHEM3110
- One semester of Biochemistry – CHEM4600
- One year of General Physics – PHYS1111K and PHYS1112K
Some Medical schools require Calculus – students should check on the schools to which they are applying.
BIOL3800 – Molecular Cell Biology and BIOL3900 – Genetics and to a
lesser degree, BIOL3890 – Microbiology and BIOL3240 – Human Physiology
are helpful for the MCAT exam.
For our biology majors, we offer a concentration in Pre-Professional which contains courses that are more medically based.
NONMAJOR switching to MAJOR
If a student has taken BIOL1107K and/or 1108K (soon to be 1103K and 1104K), they can fulfill the general biology requirement by taking BIOL2800 (and chemistry) before they are allowed to register for BIOL3800. THIS IS NOT THE RECOMMENDED ROUTE!
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