These following courses are commonly selected by Biology students.
Most of these require no previous college classes.
This is not an exhaustive list; many other courses in the Course Catalog are available for students to take! Check the Schedule of Classes for availability.
General Education Courses
The links below will take you to full course descriptions in the Iowa State Course Catalog.
Course | Title | Cr. | Req. |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFAM 2010 | Introduction to African American Studies | 3 | USCC |
| AMIN 2100 | Introduction to American Indian Studies | 3 | USCC |
| ANS 1010 | Working with Animals | 2 | |
| ANS 1140 | Survey of the Animal Industry | 2 | |
| ANTHR 2010 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 | IP |
| ANTHR 2020 | Introduction to Biological Anthropology and Archaeology | 3 | |
| ASTRO 1200 | The Sky and the Solar System | 3 | |
| ASTRO 1500 | Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology | 3 | |
| CLST 2730 | Greek and Roman Mythology | 3 | IP |
| CLST 2750 | The Ancient City | 3 | IP |
| COMST 1010 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 | |
| COMST 2140 | Professional Communication | 3 | |
| COMS 1030 | Computer Literacy and Applications | 4 | |
| COMS 1040 | Introduction to Programming | 2 | |
| CJ 2200 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 | |
| CJ 2400 | Introduction to the U.S. Criminal Justice System | 3 | |
| CJ 2410 | Youth and Crime | 3 | |
| DANCE 2700 | Dance Appreciation Note: one-credit dance classes in various styles may be available! | 3 | |
| ECON 1010 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 | |
| ECON 1020 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 | |
| ENGL 2010 | Introduction to Literature Prerequisite: credit in or exemption from ENGL 1500 | 3 | |
| ENGL 2370 | Survey of Film History Prerequisite: credit in or exemption from ENGL 1500 | 3 | |
| ENT 2010 | Introduction to Insects (5 weeks) | 1 | |
| ENT 2110 | Insects and Society (11 weeks) Prerequisite: ENT 2010 | 1 | |
| ENSCI 2010 | Introduction to Environmental Issues | 2 | |
| ENVS 1200 | Introduction to Renewable Resources | 3 | |
| ENVS 2200 | Globalization and Sustainability | 3 | IP |
| FSHN 1010 | Food and the Consumer | 3 | |
| FSHN 1670 | Introductory Human Nutrition and Health | 3 | |
| GEOL 1080 | Introduction to Oceanography | 3 | |
| HS 1050 | First Aid and Emergency Care | 2 | |
| HS 1100 | Personal and Consumer Health | 3 | |
| HIST 2010 | Introduction to Western Civilization I | 3 | IP |
| HIST 2210 | Survey of United States History I | 3 | |
| HORT 1210 | Home Horticulture | 3 | |
| HDFS 1020 | Individual and Family Development, Health, and Well-being | 3 | |
| HDFS 2390 | Consumer Issues | 3 | USCC |
| HDFS 2400 | Literature for Children | 3 | USCC |
| HDFS 2760 | Human Sexuality | 3 | USCC |
| HDFS 2830 | Personal and Family Finance | 3 | USCC |
| INTST 2350 | Introduction to International Studies | 3 | IP |
| JLMC 1010 | Mass Media and Society | 3 | |
| KIN 2100 | Concepts of Fitness and Wellness Note: one-credit kinesiology classes in various athletic activities may be available! | 2 | |
| MICRO 2650 | Predicting the Next Epidemic: Living in a One Health World | 2 | |
| MTEOR 1400 | Climate and Society | 3 | IP |
| MUSIC 1020 | Introduction to Music Listening | 3 | IP |
| PHIL 2010 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 | |
| PHIL 2300 | Moral Theory and Practice | 3 | |
| PHIL 2350 | Ethical Issues in a Diverse Society | 3 | USCC |
| PSYCH 1010 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| PSYCH 1310 | Academic Learning Skills | 1 | |
| PSYCH 2300 | Developmental Psychology | 3 | |
| PSYCH 2800 | Social Psychology | 3 | |
| RELIG 2050 | World Religions | 3 | IP |
| RELIG 2100 | Religion in America | 3 | USCC |
| SOC 1340 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 | |
| THTRE 1060 | Introduction to the Performing Arts | 3 | |
| THTRE 1100 | Theatre and Society | 3 | |
| USLS 2110 | Intro to U.S. Latino/a Studies | 3 | USCC |
| WGS 2010 | Introduction to Women and Gender Studies | 3 | USCC |
| WGS 2050 | Introduction to Queer Studies Prerequisite: credit in or exemption from ENGL 1500 | 3 | USCC |
| WGS 2100 | Gender and Sexuality in American Pop Culture | 3 | |
| WISE 2010 | Foundations in Development for Women* in STEM Note: includes all female-identifying persons in STEM majors. | 3 | USCC |
| WFS 2780 | Introduction to Global Film | 3 | IP |
Special fall-only opportunity for first- and second-year Biology students:
BIOL/GEN 1140X: Explorations in Life Sciences (1 credit)
Why join?
- Connect with like-minded peers within and outside of your major
- Engage with knowledgeable and experienced Peer Mentors in The Sky is the Limit learning community who care about your career and academic progress
- Network with faculty in your field of interest
- Develop goal-oriented academic and professional skills
Sect | Title | Description | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
4 | Decoding Genetic Mechanisms of Metabolism and Aging | This section will help you discover how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) can play a role in your broader interests. It will provide you with opportunities to explore interdisciplinary career paths through interactions with upperclassmen, faculty, and leaders outside academia and to find study buddies for first-year STEM courses. | Wednesdays 3:20 - 5:10 PM |
5 | Helping People: The Healthcare Career Spectrum | Learn about the myriad of healthcare-related career options, have the opportunity to take a tour of the Iowa State cadaver lab, and meet with practicing professionals including a physician and a pharmacist. | Mondays 3:20 - 5:10 PM |
6 | Exploring the Secret Life of Cells | Learn how basic cell biology research in different organisms can help us improve our world in areas such as medicine, agriculture, and technology. Experiences include hands-on lab activities and visits to research labs around campus. | Wednesdays 3:20 - 5:10 PM |
7 | Save Planet Earth | An environmental and conservation-themed section where students learn and connect via hands-on sustainability projects, as well as field trips to research sites around Ames. | Wednesdays 9:55 - 11:50 AM |
8 | Fight Climate Change with Plants | Learn how plants sense and decode the environment and reprogram themselves to grow and survive, using molecular biology, cell biology, genetics and functional genomics. Gain hands-on lab experience! | Mondays 3:20 - 5:10 PM |