At a Glance
I鈥檓 interested in this field of study. Can you tell me more about it?
Biology involves the study of the entire process of life through development, reproduction, and cessation, at all levels of interaction, including molecular, cellular, organismal, ecological, and evolutionary. This major provides the foundational coursework needed to engage in complex concepts and tackle unanswered questions. Housed in the , the biology major at Scripps is designed to give you breadth as well as specialization in different areas of interest.
What are some courses appropriate for first-year students interested in exploring this field of study?
We encourage you to start by taking CHEM14L: Principles of Chemistry lecture and lab during your first semester, then CHEM15L: Principles of Chemistry lecture and lab and BIOL44L: Introductory Biology lecture and lab in your second semester. The other half of BIOL43L: Introductory Biology lecture and lab should be taken in your third semester.
Alternatively, you may take CHEM14L lecture and lab in your first semester and BIOL42L, which integrates both CHEM15L and BIOL43L into a single course, in your second semester. The first scenario is the most popular route and allows you to build foundations in chemical principles that are present in biology while easing into your STEM coursework as you adjust to college life.
If you鈥檙e interested in a heavier STEM load from the beginning, you could take CHEM14L and BIOL43L in your first semester and CHEM15L and BIOL44L in your second semester.
If I decide to major or minor in this field, are there certain courses that need to be taken in a specific sequence?
BIOL43L and BIOL44L can be taken in either order, although BIOL43L is offered only in fall and BIOL44L only in spring. You must complete the introductory biology series (BIOL44L and BIOL43L) before taking most upper division courses.
Can students who major or minor in this field complete a second major or minor (as a double major or a major/minor combination)? If so, what are some common pairings?
Yes, you can double major in biology and many other disciplines. You may also pair a biology minor with another major. Double majoring in biology and chemistry is not permissible due to the great overlap in required courses for these two majors.
What other useful information should I know about this field of study?
The biology major is often chosen by students over other biology-related majors because it offers great flexibility in choice of upper-division courses that follow the introductory series.
About the Biology Major
Many of the new developments and discoveries in this dynamic field are the result of interdisciplinary cooperation between biologists, chemists, physicists, and computer scientists. These researchers have added considerably to our understanding of the basic principles and mechanisms of living systems at cellular, molecular, organismic, population, and ecological levels.
Career opportunities for those who major in biology are numerous. Besides being a top traditional preparatory field for healthcare professionals, biology is an excellent choice of major for those interested in secondary education or in the burgeoning genetic engineering industry. And, of course, the areas of academic and industrial research are open to those who pursue a PhD in the discipline.