2025-2026

Biology, Bachelor of Science

Department of Biological Sciences

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

This degree attracts students who are fascinated by the spectrum of biology, from the tiniest or simplest to the largest or most complex. Students may pursue a number of areas, including plants, animals, their evolution, physiology, or relationships.

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the general studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, general studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • 72 - 77 units units of major requirements.

  • Students may transfer up to 75 units of community college and/or university credit from regionally accredited institutions of higher education.

  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy General Studies Requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Major GPA C
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 125
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Optional
Research Optional
University Honors Program Optional
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A Recommended
Progression Plan Link Not Available

Purpose Statement

The Bachelor of Science degree in Biology is for students who are fascinated by the wonders of life, from the smallest microorganisms to the complexities of ecosystems, unraveling the mysteries of genetics, ecology, and the intricate workings of living organisms.

Our BS in Biology students use hands-on learning to explore the diversity of life, contribute to scientific discoveries, and address global challenges. This major offers a modern, balanced, and comprehensive treatment of biology, emphasizing critical information analysis and integration among its sub-disciplines. Students begin by taking foundational courses that address fundamental biological concepts such as cellular and molecular processes, genetics and inheritance, and ecological and evolutionary theory. After completing the foundation courses, students tailor their degree plans to match their interests in areas of physiology, evolution, ecological systems, genetics, or cell theory.

Students seeking research opportunities can engage with our biological research faculty and/or our associated research center - Center for Adaptive Western Landscapes, Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, and the Pathogen and Microbiome Institutes.

Our BS in Biology graduates attain high-level scientific inquiry skills and have endless career opportunities in graduate school, healthcare, research, education, conservation, government agencies, environmental science, or biotechnology. This degree encourages your curiosity to grow as it plunges you into the world of biology.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Identify, describe, and apply the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings in biology using the fundamental principles of the natural sciences including:
    • The basic molecular and cellular units of structure that define all living things.
    • The limits and processes of biological systems as they operate through chemical transformations and energy flow in biological systems.
    • The theory of evolution and how the diversity of life has evolved and is evolving via four population genetic mechanisms (mutation, migration, selection, drift).
    • The molecular, genetic, and environmental bases of variation and how the phenotype of an organism is controlled by its genotype and environment.
    • The fundamental principles of biological science operating at the molecular, cellular, organismal, population, and ecosystem levels (e.g., central dogma, inheritance, energy flow, diversity of life).
    • Identify the ethics and responsibilities of working with living organisms.
  • Apply scientific and quantitative reasoning in data interpretation and analysis of biological data by:
    • Applying the scientific method, inquiry, and discovery to the study of living systems.
    • Apply methods for collecting, statistically analyzing, and interpreting scientific data with application to problems in biology.
    • Applying quantitative reasoning (e.g., arithmetic algebraic methods or statistical analyses) to biology and related natural sciences  
    • Applying and interpreting basic statistical methods and graphically presenting scientific data to communicate scientific findings.
    • Understanding the difference between ethical and unethical conduct of research.
  • Effectively communicate evidence-based findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
    • Interpret primary scientific literature in biological sciences.
    • Find and evaluate primary sources, assessing the quality of information, the source's credibility, and the ethical practices of the research conducted.
    • Synthesize empirical findings in biology, and communicate the findings through collaboration, writing, and oral presentation.
    • Understand and apply ethical practices in communicating science by giving appropriate credit to the work of other scholars via in-text citations and reference lists.
  • Synthesize fundamental concepts, apply core knowledge, and conduct civil discourse in Biology as it relates to organisms, habitats, ecosystems, or human health questions.
    • Apply depth of biological knowledge by applying core concepts to new contexts or problems in conservation, climate change, natural resource management, forestry, agriculture, or human/animal health.
    • Apply biological principles and demonstrate the ability to interpret data in evaluating the strength of evidence and conclusions.
    • Apply the unifying concept of evolution to explain patterns and processes in biological systems.
    • Synthesize foundational knowledge of ethics to evaluate responsible conduct in research as it pertains to the collection and curation of data, use of living organisms, use of natural and cultural resources, or dissemination of results in biological sciences.

Transfer Block

  • Students may transfer up to 75 units of credit from an accredited community college.

Major Requirements

  • This major requires 72 - 77 units distributed as follows:

    • Biology and Biology-Related Coursework: 44 - 45 units
    • Math and Science Coursework: 28 - 32 units

    Take the following 72 - 77 units including 44 - 45 units of Biology and Biology-related courses. All courses must be completed with a Grade of 'C' or better:

  • Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:

General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or General Studies Requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

  • Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.