Iowa State University offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology through its interdepartmental undergraduate Biology Program. The degree requires 120 credits and is designed to be completed in four years. Students build a strong foundation in the life sciences with the flexibility to explore a wide range of interests and career paths.
- Biology Degree Requirements 2025-2026 (PDF)
- 4-Year Plan – College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (PDF)
- 4-Year Plan – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (PDF)
University Requirements
All Iowa State students complete a common set of general education requirements:
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1500 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition | 3 |
| (varies) | Advanced Communications (determined by choice of college and major) | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | Introduction to College-Level Research | 1 |
| (varies) | International Perspective (click here for a list of approved courses) | 3 |
| (varies) | U.S. Cultures and Communities (click here for a list of approved courses) | 3 |
For additional information about English and communications coursework, including test-out and placement tests, see the ISUComm website.
College Requirements
Biology majors may enroll through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) or the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Each college has its own set of general education requirements. The key differences are summarized below.
| LAS Requirement | CALS Requirement | |
|---|---|---|
| World Language | 1010/1020 college-level language proficiency or 3+ years in high school | None required |
| Advanced Communications | Advanced writing (ENGL 3120 preferred) -or- Speech (SP CM 2120) | Speech (SP CM 2120, COMST 2140, or AGEDS 3110) |
| Math (met by completing Biology major requirements) | Mathematics and/or statistics | Mathematics AND statistics |
| Science (met by completing Biology major requirements) | Natural sciences | Biological and physical sciences |
| Arts and Humanities | 12 credits (select here for approved course list) | 3 credits (select here for approved course list) |
| Social Sciences | 9 credits (select here for approved course list) | 3 credits (select here for approved course list) |
| Ethics | None required | 3 credits (select here for approved course list) |
| Professional Career Preparation | 1 credit (LAS 2030) | None required |
LAS also requires completion of 45 credits at the 3000-level or above.
Biology Major Requirements
Biology Core Requirements
These courses provide the foundation of the Biology major. Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in core coursework.
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
BIOL 1100 & BIOL 1110 (students entering directly from high school) -or- BIOL 1120 (students transferring from another school) | Introduction to Biology and Opportunities in Biology -or- Transfer Student Orientation | 1 to 1.5 |
| BIOL 2110 & BIOL 2110L | Principles of Biology I & lab | 4 |
| BIOL 2120 & BIOL 2120L | Principles of Biology II & lab | 4 |
| BIOL 3120 | Ecology (with lab) | 4 |
| BIOL 3130 & BIOL 3130L | Principles of Genetics & lab | 4 |
| BIOL 3140 | Principles of Molecular Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 3150 | Biological Evolution | 3 |
These 3000-level core courses may be taken in any order.
Advanced Biology Requirements
Advanced biology coursework lets students customize their degree. More than 150 courses count toward this requirement, including classroom instruction and valuable hands-on learning opportunities such as field trip courses, teaching experiences, internships, and research.
Biology majors complete 21 credits of advanced biology, including:
- At least 9 credits from Biology Program offerings (BIOL, EEOB, and GDCB courses)
- At least 2 advanced courses with a lab or field component
Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in advanced coursework. Advanced biology courses cannot be used to meet general education requirements.
Complementary or Supporting Science Requirements
A strong background in math, chemistry, and physics supports success in the Biology major. Course selection depends on career goals and should be discussed with an advisor.
Biology majors complete two semesters of calculus and/or statistics. Requirements vary by college.
| Math/Stats Option | Mathematics Course | Statistics Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics Only (LAS) | MATH 1650 (Calculus I) and MATH 1660 (Calculus II) | none | 8 |
| Statistics Only (LAS) | none | STAT 1010 (Principles of Statistics) or STAT 1040 (Introduction to Statistics) -and- STAT 3010 (Intermediate Statistical Concepts and Methods) | 7-8 |
| Mathematics and Statistics (LAS and CALS) | MATH 1600 (Survey of Calculus) or MATH 1650 (Calculus I) | STAT 1010 (Principles of Statistics) or STAT 1040 (Introduction to Statistics) | 7-8 |
| Statistics Only (CALS) | any college-approved mathematics course | STAT 1010 (Principles of Statistics) or STAT 1040 (Introduction to Statistics) -and- STAT 3010 (Intermediate Statistical Concepts and Methods) | 10-13 |
Math placement is determined by the ALEKS exam.
Biology majors complete 12 credits of chemistry: one semester of general chemistry with lab, one semester of organic chemistry with lab, and one semester of biochemistry. Many students take additional chemistry to prepare for their career goals.
One-Semester Chemistry Sequence
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 1630 & CHEM 1630L | College Chemistry & Lab | 5 |
| CHEM 2310 & CHEM 2310L | Elementary Organic Chemistry & Lab | 4 |
| BBMB 3160 | Principles of Biochemistry | 3 |
Two-Semester Chemistry Sequence
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 1770 & CHEM 1770L | General Chemistry I & Lab | 5 |
| CHEM 1780 & CHEM 1780L | General Chemistry II & Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 3310 & CHEM 3310L | Organic Chemistry I & Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 3320 & CHEM 3320L | Organic Chemistry II & Lab | 4 |
| BBMB 4040 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| BBMB 4050 | Biochemistry II | 3 |
Biology majors complete one semester of physics with lab (5 credits). Some students take a full year depending on career goals.
| Physics Option | Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-Semester Sequence | PHYS 1150 & PHYS 1150L | Physics for Life Sciences | 5 |
| Two-Semester Sequence (algebra-based) | PHYS 1310 + PHYS 1310L -and- PHYS 1320 + PHYS 1320L | General Physics I and II | 10 |
| Two-Semester Sequence (calculus-based) | -and- | Classical Physics I and II | 10 |