Biological Sciences (Major)
Director of Undergraduate Studies:
Jennifer Robichaud
Academic Advisors:
Caleb Cobbin
Kelly Harrington
Program in Biological Sciences
The Department of Biological Sciences at Notre Dame is committed to understanding the fundamental mechanisms by which living systems operate. The Department is highly interdisciplinary and in excellent position to fulfill the promise of the new integrative approach to biology. Basic research is at the center of our endeavors and fuels and inspires our teaching and training. We seek solutions to human health and environmental crises facing our society—such as finding treatments, cures and preventions for human diseases, maintaining biodiversity on land and in our natural water sources, ensuring an adequate supply of food and fresh water, and reversing the effects of pollution and climate change.
Research in the department spans the wide realm of the life sciences, across scales of complexity—from cells and organs to whole organisms and ecosystems—and across foci as varied as infectious disease, cancer, organ regeneration, climate change and biodiversity. United through the ultimate goals of fostering human and environmental health, we believe that real-world solutions require integrative biological inquiry and multidisciplinary collaboration. Our department serves as a hub connecting different academic units across campus and different universities worldwide, through life science-related investigation and problem solving.
Students choosing an undergraduate major in biological sciences will be prepared for graduate study (M.S., Ph.D., MD/Ph.D.) leading to a research career, or for admission to medical, veterinary, and other professional schools. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree may enter careers in industry, government, or health-related research laboratories. Those who wish to teach at the elementary or secondary level should be sure to include required education courses such as those offered through Saint Mary’s College.
College of Science Basic Sequence
The biological sciences majors take the following basic sequence of courses in the College of Science:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 10171 & CHEM 11171 | Introduction to Chemical Principles and Introduction to Chemical Principles Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 20274 & CHEM 21274 | Chemistry Across the Periodic Table and Chemistry Across the Periodic Table Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 10172 & CHEM 11172 | Organic Structure and Reactivity and Organic Structure and Reactivity Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 20273 & CHEM 21273 | Organic Reactions and Applications and Organic Reactions and Applications Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 20210 & PHYS 21210 | Physics for Life Sciences I and Physics for Life Sciences I Lab | 4 |
| PHYS 20220 & PHYS 21220 | Physics for Life Sciences II and Physics for Life Sciences II Lab | 4 |
| Select one of the following Calculus sequences: | 8 | |
| Calculus A and Calculus B | ||
| Calculus I and Calculus II | ||
Biological Sciences Core Requirements
There are six components to the biological sciences core requirement (23 credit minimum), consisting of courses in the following areas:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core I: Introductory Biology Sequence | 8 | |
| Biology I :Big Questions and Biological Investigations Laboratory | ||
| Biology II: Molecules to Ecosystems and Research Experience in Biology Laboratory | ||
| Core II: Genetics | 3-4 | |
| Core III: Evolution | 3 | |
| Core IV: Cell Biology and Physiology | 3 | |
| Core V: Ecology and the Environment | 3 | |
| Core VI: Laboratory Courses | 3 | |
Students are required to take a total of five laboratories. Two of the five laboratories will be part of Core I (BIOS 11173/11174), and the remaining three laboratories are chosen among Core II through Core V and/or BIOS electives, including 50000- and 60000-level courses. Thus, there are two required BIOS labs and three additional elective BIOS labs. Students who conduct a minimum of three semesters of Undergraduate Research (BIOS 48498) in a laboratory or research group at Notre Dame and earn a minimum of 3 credits (i.e., 3 x 1.0 credit), may substitute those research semesters for one of the five required labs.
Note that select overseas courses that have been approved for science credit may satisfy the Core II through VI requirement if approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Biological Sciences before taking the class.
Biological Sciences Electives
An additional 18 credits of electives in biological sciences are chosen to complete the required total of 41 biological sciences credits. Electives in the Department of Biological Sciences are those courses with the BIOS prefix above BIOS 20200 or an approved non-BIOS science electives (NBSE).
Biostatistics (BIOS 40411/BIOS 42411) is highly recommended for all students planning on a health related professional program or a graduate program, especially in ecology, environmental biology, or other field of life science.
Additional Notes on Electives
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Non-BIOS Science Electives. A non-BIOS/Science elective (NBSE) can be any 30000–50000-level course other than those required, and approved by the director of undergraduate studies for the Department of Biological Sciences. For instance, Biochemistry (e.g., CHEM 40420) is especially recommended for those pursuing pre-health programs.
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While majors are allowed to take one 3-credit, non-BIOS lecture course and have that count toward the 41 required credits, students may also include one non-BIOS lab if it is required for that non-BIOS lecture and have that laboratory satisfy one of the three additional required laboratories. For example, Physical Geology (SC 20110, CE 10110/CE 20110) has a required laboratory, and majors who choose BIOS electives based on their environmental or ecological interests may elect to take Physical Geology for a total of 4 credits toward the 41 required credits.
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Majors who might have transferred into BIOS from BCHM and had taken the required biochemistry lecture (CHEM 30341) and laboratory (CHEM 31341) course will be allowed to count both the lecture and laboratory toward the 41 credits. The same would be true of other relevant science courses (e.g., analytical chemistry, physical chemistry) as approved by the director of their major and the associate dean of the College of Science.
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Undergraduate Research, Directed Readings, and Teaching Practicum. Undergraduate Research (BIOS 48498) and Directed Readings (BIOS 46497) count toward the 41-credit biological sciences requirement. However, only a maximum of two credits per semester per course. There is a maximum total of six credits allowed for BIOS 48498 and two credits allowed for BIOS 46497 that may be counted in fulfilling the 41-credit requirement. A maximum of two credits of Teach Practicum/Life Sciences (BIOS 37494) may be included in any combination of these eight credits. A maximum of only nine credits in these courses may be used toward graduation; however, additional credits do remain on a student’s permanent transcript record.
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Survey courses for non-science majors. The biology survey courses (BIOS 10050– BIOS 10120) satisfy the science requirement for non-science majors at Notre Dame. They do not satisfy the science requirements for science majors at Notre Dame or elsewhere. Students may not take courses with overlapping or similar lecture material such as BIOS 10101 and BIOS 10110 or BIOS 10107, BIOS 10117, and BIOS 10119, for example. A table listing these overlapping courses is in the College of Science Science Degree Credit section. Please note that BIOS 10010 The Climate Crisis: Intersection between Biology and Christianity counts as a WKCD and is not a biology survey course or science elective.
Select Graduate-Level Courses
Many 60000-level courses in biological sciences are open to qualified undergraduates, subject to the approval of the course instructors and the director of undergraduate studies. Graduate-level courses generally include a majority of upper-class students and are recommended to undergraduate majors.
The above 60000-level courses are described in the Graduate School Bulletin of Information.
Summary of Requirements for Graduation for any Biological Sciences Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Science | 73 | |
Biological Sciences | ||
Chemistry | ||
Physics | ||
Mathematics | ||
| Liberal Arts 4–6 1 | 9 | |
| Philosophy 1 | 6 | |
| Theology 1 | 6 | |
| WR 13100 | Writing and Rhetoric | 3 |
| Language Intermediate Level Competency | 3 | |
| Free Electives 2 | 24 | |
| Moreau Program (First & Final year) 3 | 2 | |
| Total Hours | 126 | |
- 1
One of these courses may count as a University Seminar (USEM).
- 2
Minimum number of free electives based on the assumption that intermediate-level competency in language was achieved by taking a minimum of one three-credit course.
- 3
Students will take a 1-credit Moreau First-Year Seminar course during their first year and complete their 1-credit Moreau experience in their final year.
Sample Curriculum
The sample curriculum for the four-year program listed below is only one of a number of ways a student can complete all the requirements for a biological sciences major. Students should discuss their specific interests with their departmental advisor and plan their semesters accordingly. Alternative sample curricula can be developed with the assistance of their departmental advisor.
Note that this sample curriculum assumes that no language CE credits are included.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| Biology I lecture and lab | 4 | |
| Calculus I (or A) | 4 | |
| General Chemistry I lecture and lab 1 | 4 | |
| Theology or Philosophy | 3 | |
| Writing Requirement 2 | 3 | |
| Moreau First Year Seminar | 1 | |
| Hours | 19 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Biology II lecture and lab | 4 | |
| Calculus II (or B) | 4 | |
| Organic Chemistry I lecture and lab 1 | 4 | |
| Theology or Philosophy | 3 | |
| Writing Requirement 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BIOS Core (II, III, IV or V) | 3-4 | |
| BIOS Elective lab | 1-2 | |
| Organic Chemistry II lecture and lab | 4 | |
| Theology or Philosophy | 3 | |
| Language I | 4 | |
| Hours | 15-17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIOS Core (II, III, IV or V) | 3 | |
| BIOS Core (II, III, IV or V) | 3 | |
| General Chemistry II lecture and lab | 4 | |
| Theology or Philosophy | 3 | |
| Language II | 4 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BIOS Core (II, III, IV or V) | 3-4 | |
| BIOS Elective Lab | 1-2 | |
| Physics I lecture and lab | 4 | |
| Ways of Knowing IV | 3 | |
| Language III | 3 | |
| Hours | 14-16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIOS Elective | 3 | |
| BIOS Elective | 3 | |
| Physics II lecture and lab | 4 | |
| Ways of Knowing V | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BIOS Elective | 3 | |
| BIOS Elective | 3 | |
| BIOS Elective lab | 1-2 | |
| Ways of Knowing VI | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 13-14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIOS Elective | 3 | |
| BIOS Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Moreau Senior Capstone | 1 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 125-130 | |
- 1
Students who begin with the CHEM 10181–CHEM 10182 sequence and select BIOS as their major would complete the four-semester sequence with CHEM 20273–CHEM 20274.
- 2
One of the writing requirements will be the University Seminar which may count for any of the Liberal Arts, Theology, or Philosophy courses.
It is strongly encouraged for prospective biological sciences majors to begin their introductory biology sequence during their first year in order to complete all required core curriculum with a four-year period and allow opportunities for further academic exploration.
All biological sciences majors are encouraged to include non-science courses among their free electives.
For students pursuing a medical career, it is strongly recommended to take a 20000-level English literature course. This ensures that the student will be able to meet the standard medical school admission requirement of two English courses. Medical ethics and biochemistry are generally required or highly recommended as well. These recommendations applied broadly to the allied health fields as well.
Majors often have time to incorporate 20 or more free elective credits (i.e., a second major or minor) into their four-year course selection.
Concentrations
The Department of Biological Sciences offers eight concentrations within the Biological Sciences major. Concentrations provide structure to elective selection to assist students’ development in their fields of interest, and provide experience in a field within biological sciences for students seeking admission to graduate school, medical school, or other programs/jobs.
Each concentration requires a minimum 14 credits with 5 credits allowed to “double-count” and 9 biological sciences electives unique to the concentration. These credits are in addition to the 73 total science credits required of the biological sciences major listed above.
Concentrations include:
- Biomedical Sciences: Studies the cellular and physiological processes in both healthy and diseased organisms, with an emphasis on understanding human health and disease.
- Cell and Developmental Biology: Investigates the genes, proteins, and processes that regulate the structure and function of cells and how they interact to form tissues and organisms.
- Computational Biology: Ties biological data, from molecules to cells to ecosystems, to theory and hypotheses through mathematics, informatics, data science, and statistics.
- Ecology and Environment: Explores how organisms interact with their biological, chemical, and physical surroundings, as well as how humans are affected by and influence these systems.
- Evolution and Genomics: Studies how changes in genetic variation over time lead to new traits and species, spanning scales from the genome to the population.
- Infectious Disease and Global Health: Explores the breadth of pathogenic organisms, their hosts, and diseases, as well as their impact on global health.
- Medical Neurobiology: Examines the molecular and cellular aspects of nervous system development and function, as well as how they are affected by disease, injury, or dysfunction.
- Integrative Biology: Explores biology across all levels of organization, from molecules to ecosystems
For full descriptions of each concentration, see https://biology.nd.edu/undergraduate/programs-of-study/biology-major
Biological Sciences Honors Research Program
The goal of the honors program is to give interested students an exceptional experience in biological research. Participation in this program will increase their level of commitment and productivity while preparing them for successful postgraduate careers.
Biological and Environmental Sciences majors are encouraged to identify a research mentor and project during their sophomore year, but final applications into the program should be completed during the fall of their junior year. Acceptance by the Undergraduate Research Committee will be based on minimum 3.0 Science GPA at time of application, cover letter, research statement, unofficial transcript, and nomination form from research mentor.
To graduate with honors, students should complete all of the requirements for their major and:
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 Science GPA or higher throughout the program.
- Have a minimum of three semesters of biological science research experience in the research mentors lab.
- Generate original data in order to complete and write a thesis.
- Complete a two to three credit graduate level course in the area of research.
- A presentation at a national or regional meeting.
- One disciplinary research seminar in Junior year, Spring semester (1 credit seminar).
Thesis Requirements
Over the course of the program, students will write a draft of their thesis under the guidance of the research mentor and advising mentor. The final draft of the thesis will be submitted by April 15. The thesis will be reviewed by the student’s research mentor and advising mentor. If the thesis is not approved, a member of the Undergraduate Research Committee will read the thesis and confer with the mentors for a final decision. Guidelines for the thesis and thesis reviewers will be provided.
Research Seminar (Graded)
The purpose of these seminars is to create a small learning community of students interested in research. The seminar learning goals are to support and develop each student’s independence, scientific communication skills, critical review skills, and understanding of their research in the context of the larger field.