To learn biology is more than to learn facts: it is to learn how to ask and answer questions, how to develop strategies which might be employed to obtain answers, and how to recognize and evaluate the answers which emerge. The department is therefore dedicated to encouraging students to learn science in the only way that it can be effectively made a part of their thinking: to independently question it, probe it, try it out, experiment with it, experience it.

The diversity of courses in the curriculum provides broad coverage of contemporary biology and allows flexible planning. Each biology major completes a three-course sequence in the principles of biology. Planning with a faculty advisor, the student chooses upper-division biology courses to meet individual needs and career objectives. Faculty members are also committed to helping students investigate career opportunities and pursue careers which most clearly match their interests and abilities. Students are invited to use departmental facilities for independent study and are encouraged to participate in ongoing faculty research.

The major in biology is designed to be flexible in meeting the needs and special interests of students. For either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree the student must take the principles of biology sequence (161, 162, 323). Completion of this sequence (or an equivalent general biology sequence at another institution) is required before upper-division biology courses can be taken. Each of these courses must have been completed with a grade of C- or higher. Courses not designed for biology majors (111, 116, 201, 205, 206) ordinarily cannot be used to satisfy major requirements. Independent study (491) and cooperative education may be used for no more than 4 of the upper-division biology hours required for the BS degree, and for no more than 2 of the upper-division biology hours required for the BA degree. Students who plan to apply biology credits earned at other institutions toward a PLU degree with a biology major should be aware that at least 14 hours in biology, numbered 324 or higher and including 499, must be earned in residence at PLU. Each student must consult with a biology advisor to discuss selection of electives appropriate for educational and career goals. Basic requirements under each plan for the major are listed below.

Bachelor of Arts: 34 semester hours in biology, including 161, 162, 323, and 499, plus 20 additional upper-division biology hours. Required supporting courses: Chemistry 120 (or 125) and Mathematics 140. Recommended supporting courses: Physics 125 (with laboratory 135) and Physics 126 (with laboratory 136).

Bachelor of Science: 42 semester hours in biology, including 161, 162, 323, and 499, plus 28 additional upper-division biology hours. Required supporting courses: Chemistry 120 (or 125), 232 (with laboratory 234), and one additional upper-division chemistry course with laboratory; Mathematics 151; Physics 125 (with laboratory 135) and Physics 126 (with laboratory 136), or Physics 153 (with laboratory 163) and Physics 154 (with laboratory 164).

Students planning to be certified to teach biology in high school should plan to complete a BA or BS in biology. Upper-division biology course selection should be made in consultation with a biology advisor. See the School of Education section of the catalog for biology courses required for certification.

At least 20 semester hours selected from any biology courses. A grade of C- or higher must be earned in each course, and total GPA must be at least 2.00. Course prerequisites must be met unless written permission is granted in advance by the instructor. Applicability of non-PLU biology courses will be determined by the department chair. At least 8 of the 20 credit hours in biology must be earned in courses taught by the Biology Department at PLU; for students applying only 8 PLU biology hours toward the minor, those hours cannot include independent study (491) or cooperative education hours.

At least 20 semester hours selected from any biology courses. A grade of C- or higher must be earned in each course, and total GPA must be at least 2.00. Course prerequisites must be met unless written permission is granted in advance by the instructor. Applicability of non-PLU biology courses will be determined by the department chair. At least 8 of the 20 credit hours in biology must be earned in courses taught by the Biology Department at PLU; for students applying only 8 PLU biology hours toward the minor, those hours cannot include independent study (491) or cooperative education hours.