Suggested A.B. Biology Curriculum Planning Sheet (32 courses)

Attention must be given to the timing of prerequisites for the advanced courses you wish to take; minimally, two 300-level courses are required from among the biology electives for the A.B. degree program. Students interested in pursuing independent research with a faculty member should take a lab course with them before expressing their interest in conducting research under their supervision.

As a general rule, we encourage you to complete the BIOL 111/BIOL 112 sequence by your first year and take BIOL 113 in your sophomore year. You can postpone taking chemistry until your sophomore year; however, we strongly suggest you complete your chemistry requirement no later than your junior year. Likewise, MATH 161 can be taken after you have taken BIOL 113. You will be taking between one and two 205-level and above courses per semester, and your 300-level course by your junior year. 

Please notice: the schedule shown below is just one example of several possible alternatives; it is not the list of required courses. For a comprehensive list of course requirements, please visit the A.B., B.S., and Minor in Biology Curriculum Requirements page. You must check with your academic advisor whether this suggested schedule meets your particular needs and interests.

Review A Handbook for Research Students for more information on student research

First Year
Fall Spring
BIOL 111 BIOL 112
CHEM 107 or CHEM 103 BIOL 113 or BIOL 205-level or above**
MATH 125, 141, 161, or 165* CHEM 108
First-Year Seminar CCS
Sophomore Year
Fall Spring
BIOL 113 or BIOL 205-level or above BIOL 205-level or above
CCS BIOL 205-level or above
CCS CCS
CCS/Free elective CCS/Free elective
Junior Year
Fall Spring
BIOL 205-level or above BIOL 300 level
CCS/Free elective CCS/Free elective
CCS/Free elective CCS/Free elective
CCS/Free elective CCS/Free elective
Senior Year
Fall Spring
CCS/Free Elective BIOL 490
CCS/Free Elective CCS/Free elective
CCS/Free elective CCS/Free elective
CCS/Free elective CCS/Free elective

* Students may register for either one of these courses based on their Math placement test.  **Students may register for a course above BIOL 205 if they meet its prerequisites.  CM 151, CHEM 351 or GEOL 320 can be used to meet the requirement of five additional Biology courses above BIOL 205.