Which College Should I Choose?
The Biology Major is shared between the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS).
Students can choose between CALS and CLAS based on differences in course requirements, grading policies, and elective options. CALS emphasizes communication and technical writing, allows more flexibility in core course grades, and has different research credit limits than CLAS, which requires foreign language proficiency and broader upper-division coursework outside the major.
CALS Biology Students:
- Must take one course each in economics, public speaking, and research/technical writing.
- Can make a D- in a foundation or core course as long as they maintain the required minimum GPA.
- May use up to three credits of undergraduate research towards the 12-credit additional life science elective requirements.
CLAS Biology Students:
- Must either take foreign language coursework or demonstrate proficiency.
- Must take 18 credits of upper division courses outside the biology major.
- Need to make at least a C in their foundation and core courses.
- May use up to six credits of undergraduate research towards the 12-credit additional life science elective requirements.
Life science elective requirements vary between CALS and CLAS. For detailed information, please visit the Biology Tracks and Elective Options page.