Biology

Department Website: Biology

Biology is the study of living organisms and the environment in which they live. To prepare students to pursue biology-oriented careers in fields such as medicine, dentistry, biotechnology, conservation science, environmental science, sustainability, research and teaching, we offer courses and experiences that help them understand the unity, diversity and complexity of life using evolutionary principles as the unifying theme. Through inquiry-based laboratory experiences and opportunities to participate in research projects, Biology majors also acquire problem solving and critical thinking skills and are therefore well prepared for their next step whether it be graduate or professional programs, specific training in health care fields, work in a lab or field station, or combining their scientific training with another interest such as business, law or even the arts.  

Students earning a Biology degree at Gonzaga obtain:

  • a broad, liberal arts education (through the university core curriculum)
  • a common foundation of knowledge and experience across the breadth of biology (through the Biology common curriculum)
  • foundational courses in the physical sciences that support biological research (chemistry and physics) 
  • the ability to investigate areas of interest in depth through a wide variety upper division courses

The Biology Department offers two degrees—the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)—with one major: Biology. There are four subject-area concentrations within the Bachelor of Science degree, and a research concentration that can be combined with either the B.S. or the B.A. degree. Students are not required to choose a concentration. We also offer a Biology minor for students who want to combine a basic knowledge of Biology with a major in a different field.

The B.S. degree is designed for students preparing for careers in the life sciences, including continued training in graduate programs, as well as medical, dental and veterinary schools. The B.A. degree has fewer requirements and allows students more flexibility for combining the Biology major with other majors, minors, or certifications, such as teaching certification. The B.A. degree may also be suitable for graduate programs not requiring additional physics and chemistry. 

Within the B.S. degree, students may choose a subject-area concentration aligned with one of the broad subfields of biology: Microbiology, Molecular, and Cell Biology (MMCB); Physiology; Ecology and Conservation Biology (ECB); or Evolution and Integrative Biology (EIB). These concentrations provide a focused and specific pathway through the major, while retaining the broad foundation and exposure to all of the major disciplinary areas in biology. Students may also choose a no-concentration option, which provides a broad overview of the field and prepares students for a wide range of career and education options. 

The Research Concentration is designed for students who want to explore graduate level training in science, and can be combined with either the B.S. or the B.A. degree. Biology faculty members are committed to mentoring students in their research labs and also support Gonzaga students who are interested in doing summer research at other institutions. The Research Concentration may be combined with any of the subject-area concentrations.

Science impacts everyone in our society. To help promote an understanding of the nature of science and scientific issues that affect us all, the department offers courses that specifically fulfill the Scientific Inquiry requirement of the University Core curriculum: Scientific Inquiry (BIOL 104 Scientific Inquiry: and BIOL 104L Scientific Inquiry Lab), Biological Systems (BIOL 181 Biological Systems and BIOL 181L Biological Systems Lab), and Field Studies in Biodiversity (BIOL 159 Studies in Biodiversity and BIOL 159L Field Studies in Biodiversity).

Biology Common Curriculum

24 credits

All Biology students (B.S., B.A., and minor) take the Biology common curriculum, which includes the following courses:

Required lower division Biology courses
BIOL 111Biology Pathways 11
BIOL 105
& 105L		Information Flow in Biological Systems
and Information Flow in Biological Systems Lab		4
BIOL 106Energy Flow in Biological Systems3
BIOL 205
& 205L		Physiology and Biodiversity
and Physiology and Biodiversity Lab		4
BIOL 206
& 206L		Ecology
and Ecology Lab		4
BIOL 207
& 207L		Genetics
and Genetics Lab		4
Required Chemistry courses
CHEM 101
& 101L		General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab 1		4
1

Students pursuing the Biology minor are not required to take BIOL 111 Biology Pathways, and they may choose to substitute ENVS 104/ENVS 104L Environmental Chemistry and Lab for CHEM 101/CHEM 101L.

In addition to the Biology common curriculum above, students pursuing a minor in Biology must also complete at least five credits of upper-division Biology electives (300- or 400-level).

Students must earn a C- grade or better in BIOL 105 Information Flow in Biological Systems/BIOL 105L Information Flow in Biological Systems Lab and CHEM 101 General Chemistry I/CHEM 101L General Chemistry I Lab in order to take BIOL 106 Energy Flow in Biological Systems. A C- grade or better in BIOL 106 Energy Flow in Biological Systems is required in order to take BIOL 205 Physiology and Biodiversity, BIOL 206 Ecology, or BIOL 207 Genetics. Students must also earn a C- grade or better in BIOL 205 Physiology and Biodiversity/BIOL 205L Physiology and Biodiversity Lab, BIOL 206 Ecology/BIOL 206L Ecology Lab, BIOL 207 Genetics/BIOL 207L Genetics Lab and BIOL 399 Advanced Topic: in order to take BIOL 499 Senior Colloquium. For upper division biology electives, a minimum of 10 credits (B.S.), 6 credits (B.A.), or 4 credits (Minor) must be biology courses taken from Gonzaga faculty; students participating in study abroad programs should make note. Credits from BIOL 497 Biology Internship do not satisfy any requirements for the Biology Major or Minor.

All courses should be chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor.