Major in Biological Science

• Biological Science Major Checklist: Up to Fall 2023
• Biological Science Major Checklist: Effective Fall 2023

This curriculum provides a broad background in the basic biological sciences, and permits students to select courses in areas of particular interest. The major is especially useful in meeting the pre-professional requirements in the biosciences. Students desiring this preparation should also check the appropriate pre-professional requirements.

The major is also useful for meeting the broad teaching endorsement requirements for secondary teachers of biological science. See the Teacher Licensure section and the Teaching Endorsement Area Requirements in the School of Education, College of Applied Human Sciences section of the CSU General Course Catalog. Course work in this major may prepare students for graduate work in areas of basic biology or in one of several areas of applied biological sciences. In addition to basic required course work, students have the opportunity to complete a minimum of 18 credits from a broad list of upper division electives. At least 9 of these credits must be “BZ” courses.

• Biology Major Electives

To be qualified for graduation, students in the biological science major must have a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in each of their biological, physical science, and mathematical courses used to meet requirements for the major. This applies to courses taken as substitutions for meeting these requirements. The minimum scholastic average acceptable for graduation is 2.00 computed only for courses attempted at Colorado State.

Major in Biological Science Botany Concentration

• Botany Concentration Checklist: Up to Fall 2023
• Botany Concentration Checklist: Effective Fall 2023

This curriculum serves both those students who are stopping with a Bachelor of Science degree and those going on to advanced studies. A general introduction to plant life is followed by an emphasis in terrestrial, vascular plant studies. Other emphases are recognized, so students are encouraged to propose course patterns different from the listed program. Students with a broad interest in biology and a liberal education should consider this major for departmental affiliation.

Students are prepared for positions with government agencies, industry, and business. Students desiring to be licensed to teach in junior and senior high schools must complete teaching endorsement requirements in biology. See the Teacher Licensure section and the Teaching Endorsement Area Requirements in the School of Education, College of Applied Human Sciences section of CSU General Course Catalog.

To be qualified for graduation, students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.00. This applies to courses taken as substitutions for meeting these requirements. The minimum scholastic average acceptable for graduation is 2.00 computed only for courses attempted at Colorado State.

Minor in Botany

The Department of Biology offers a minor in botany to provide interested students with maximum breadth and depth in botanical science utilizing a limited number of requirements. The program also serves to broaden the academic background of students seeking employment in the interdisciplinary job market associated with the plant sciences.

Major in Zoology

• Zoology Major Checklist: Up to Fall 2023
• Zoology Major Checklist: Effective Fall 2023

This curriculum provides a general education and develops competence in the biological sciences. Students prepare to work in various areas of animal biology or to begin graduate or professional studies. It is an appropriate major for students planning to attend medical or veterinary school.

The major provides a core program with general training in animal biology and the opportunity to take courses in the following areas: animal behavior, aquatic biology, ecology, genetics and evolution, invertebrate organisms, cellular/molecular biology and physiology, systematics and morphology, or vertebrate organisms. Students desiring to be licensed to teach in junior and senior high schools must complete teaching endorsement requirements in biology. See the Teacher Licensure section and the Teaching Endorsement Area Requirements in the School of Education, College of Applied Human Sciences section of the CSU General Course Catalog. To be qualified for graduation, students in the zoology major must have a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in each of their biological, physical science, and mathematical courses used to meet requirements for the major. This applies to courses taken as substitutions for meeting these requirements. The minimum scholastic average acceptable for graduation is 2.00 computed only for courses attempted at Colorado State.

Minor in Zoology

The minor in zoology is a useful complement to a major in animal science, botany, fishery biology, geology, natural resource recreation and tourism, or wildlife biology.

• Zoology Minor Checklist

Minor in Botany

The Department of Biology offers a minor in botany to provide interested students with maximum breadth and depth in botanical science utilizing a limited number of requirements. The program also serves to broaden the academic background of students seeking employment in the interdisciplinary job market associated with the plant sciences.

• Botany Minor Checklist

Minor in Zoology

The minor in zoology is a useful complement to a major in animal science, botany, fishery biology, geology, natural resource recreation and tourism, or wildlife biology.

• Zoology Minor Checklist