B.S. Biology (extended major)

The Bachelor of Science in Biology offers nine advising tracks: Behavior, Botany, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ecology, Evolution, Fish and Wildlife Management, Physiology, Zoology, Pre-Health Professions.

To earn this degree, complete at least 120 units of coursework, which we describe in the sections that follow:

at least 35 units of liberal studies requirements Be aware that you may not use courses with a BIO prefix to satisfy these liberal studies requirements.
at least 32-44 units of major core requirements
at least 32 units of major requirements
elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units

Be aware that some courses required for your degree may have prerequisites that you must also take. Check the courses in the appropriate subject. (You may be able to count these prerequisites toward your liberal studies or general elective credit.)

Please note that you must complete NAU’s diversity requirements by taking two 3-unit courses, one in ethnic diversity and one in global awareness. These courses may be used to meet other requirements within your academic plan if you choose them carefully. Click here for a list of the available diversity courses.

Please note that NAU requires that at least 30 units of the courses you take for your degree must be upper-division courses (those numbered 300 and above).

Finally, please note that you may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement; however, you must still meet the total of at least 120 units to graduate. Contact the Biology Advisement Center for details.

Major Requirements

For this major, complete at least the following 32-44 units of biology and science support courses.

BIO 181:181L and 182 with a grade of C or better (8 units)
CHM 130 and 151L (5 units)

or CHM 151, 151L, 152, and 152L (9 units)

CHM 230 and 230L (4 units)

or CHM 235 and 235L (5 units)

or CHM 235, 235L, and 238 (8 units)

CHM 360 or 461 (3 units)
MAT 125 plus either STA 270 or PSY 230 (7-8 units)

or only MAT 136 (4 units)

PHY 111, 111L, 112, and 112L (8 units)

or PHY 161, 161L, 262, and 262L (8 units)

Note: if you choose the PHY 161/262 option, PHY 263 is strongly recommended in addition

Complete at least the following 32 units. Note that you must have a grade of "C" or better in each course.

4-5 units in one of the following combinations of courses, either of which meets NAU’s junior writing requirement:

BIO 205 and 305W

or BIO 326 and 326LW

3-4 units in one of the following courses or combinations of courses, any of which meets NAU’s senior capstone requirement:

BIO 401C

or BIO 425C and 425L

or BIO 426C and 426L

or BIO 435C

or BIO 444C

or BIO 488C

23-25 units of additional coursework, which may include:

any BIO courses, except BIO 100 and 100L and 310 or any BIO recitation (R) courses

up to 3 units of BIO 300

up to 6 units from BIO 408, 485, 497, and 498

up to 6 units from the following biology-related courses:

ANT 270, 271, 370, 379, 553, and 554

CHM 238L, 320, 360L, 440, 462, and 560

CS 486C

ENV 280, 440, and 440L

FOR 212, 213, 222, 240, 250, 255, 270, 340, 381, 382, 403, 404, 405, 445, 453, and 504

GGR 250 and 457

GLG 101, 107, 201, 225, 304, 530, and 536

NTS 256, 370, 465, and 470

PRM 300

PSY 320, 350, 355, 370, 420, 432, 495, and 670

STA 471 and 472

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 academic area, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with the Biology Advisement Center to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren’t used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)

Click here for information about our Biology undergraduate courses and faculty.