Undergraduate Program

    College of Arts and Sciences and Department of Biology Undergraduate Admission Requirements

    A minimum of 26 credit hours; 23 credit hours must be in courses acceptable toward graduation.

    A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 on all work.

    • Transfer students must have a 2.0 transfer GPA.
    • Continuing UNM students must have a 2.00 institutional GPA.

    Demonstrated academic achievement by satisfying the following:

    • Completion of the University Writing and Speaking Core.
    • Completion of the University Mathematics Core.
    • Completion of the University Foreign Language Core.

    Completion of Department of Biology admission coursework with grades of "C" or better:

    • BIOL 201L.
    • CHEM 121.

    Major Study Requirements

    Majors in biology seeking a Bachelor of Science degree must satisfy the requirements given in sections 1, 2, and 3. Majors in biology seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree must satisfy the requirements given in sections 4 and 5. (BIOL 110, 112L, 123, 124L and 239L are not allowed for biology major credit.)

    1.  The B.S. program requires a minimum of 37 credit hours earned in biology courses. These courses must include 201L, 202L, 203 and 203L, 204 and 204L; at least one of the following: 351 and 352L, 360L, 371L, 386L. The remaining credit hours are to be earned in elective biology courses. (BIOC 423 may be included.)

    2.  To satisfy an upper-division breadth requirement for the Biology B.S., each student must complete at least three 400-level courses that are spread across three of the following five categories: 1) Cell/Molecular (CM); 2) Physiology (PH); 3) Organismal (OR); 4) Ecology/Evolution (EE) or 5) Interdisciplinary Science (ID). Note: the category to which each eligible course belongs is listed in parentheses (CM, PH, OR, EE, or ID), and completing three of these courses from only one or two categories does NOT satisfy the breadth requirement.

    3.  Required Supportive Courses for the B.S.: MATH 180-181 or 162-163; PHYC 151-152 (or 160-161); CHEM 121, 123L, 122, 124L (or 131L-132L) and 301-303L (or 212). (For those interested in microbiology, molecular/cellular biology, physiology or medicine, CHEM 301-303L and 302-304L are recommended.)

    4.  The B.A. program requires a minimum of 32 credit hours earned in biology courses. These courses must include 201L, 202L, 203 and 203L, 204 and 204L. The remainder of the total required credit hours is to be earned in elective biology courses. The elective courses must include two upper-division courses (300- or 400-level) each of which carries at least 3 credit hours and is exclusive of BIOL 400, 402, and 499. (BIOC 423 may be included.) (BIOL 110, 112L, 123, 124L and 239L are not allowed for biology major credit.)

    5.  Required Supportive Courses for the B.A.: A total of seven semesters of math, physics, and chemistry courses must be completed from the following four sets of courses: 1) two semesters of math courses: (MATH 180 or MATH 162) and (MATH 181 or MATH 163 or STAT 145 or CS 150L); and 2) two semesters of physics courses: (PHYC 151 and 152) or (PHYC 160 and 161) or (PHYC 102 and EPS 101); and 3) two semesters of general chemistry courses: (CHEM 121/123L and CHEM 122/124L) or (CHEM 131L and CHEM 132L); and 4) one semester of organic chemistry: (CHEM 301/303L or CHEM 212).

    For both the B.A. and B.S., a grade of C or better is required for: i) the Biology core (201L, 202L, 203 and 203L, 204 and 204L), ii) all required supporting courses in Computer Sciences, Chemistry, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics; and iii) all elective courses in Biology. No credit toward the major is given for courses completed with a grade of C- or below. Transfer students must obtain 19 Biology credit hours at UNM for the B.S., or 16 credit hours for the B.A. Only Biology courses completed within the previous ten years will apply.

    Areas of Study

    The courses offered by the Biology Department can be used to pursue specialized programs in the following areas: Botany, Computational Biology, Evolution/Ecology, Microbiology, Molecular/Cellular Biology, Physiology, Systematics, and Zoology. Departmental advisement is recommended for students who wish to complete one of these informal specializations. Formal concentrations in Conservation Biology and Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology are also offered (see below).


    Concentration in Conservation Biology*

    The growing emphasis on Conservation in the biological sciences supports this concentration. Students may receive either the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology with a concentration in Conservation Biology. The concentration provides students with a strong background in biology as well as the complementary interdisciplinary skills critical to understanding and addressing contemporary conservation questions.

    Majors in biology seeking a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Conservation Biology must satisfy the requirements given in sections 1, 2, 3 and 6. Majors in biology seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree must satisfy the requirements in sections 4, 5, and 6.

    1.  The B.S. program with a Concentration in Conservation Biology requires a minimum of 45 credit hours earned in biology courses. These courses must include: 201L, 202L, 203 and 203L, 204 and 204L, 310L, 360L, 379; at least one of the following: 351 and 352L, 371L, 386L. A minimum of 3 credit hours must be from the Conservation Biology Seminar 402.

    2.  To satisfy an upper-division breadth requirement for the Biology B.S., each student must complete at least three 400-level courses that are spread across three of the following five categories: 1) Cell/Molecular (CM); 2) Physiology (PH); 3) Organismal (OR); 4) Ecology/Evolution (EE) or 5) Interdisciplinary Science (ID). Note: the category to which each eligible course belongs is listed in parentheses (CM, PH, OR, EE, or ID), and completing three of these courses from only one or two categories does NOT satisfy the breadth requirement.

    3.  The B.A. program with a concentration in Conservation Biology requires a minimum of 37 credit hours earned in biology courses. These courses must include: 201L, 202L, 203 and 203L, 204 and 204L, 310L, 360L, 379; and at least one of the following: 351 and 352L, 371L, 386L. A minimum of 3 credit hours must be from the Conservation Biology Seminar 402. A minimum of one 400-level course must be successfully completed.

    4.  Required Supportive Courses for the B.S.: MATH 180-181 or 162-163; PHYC 151-152 (or 160-161); CHEM 121, 123L, 122, 124L (or 131L-132L) and 301-303L (or 212). (For those interested in microbiology, molecular/cellular biology, physiology or medicine, CHEM 301-303L and 302-304L are recommended.)

    5.  Required Supportive Courses for the B.A.: A total of seven semesters of math, physics, and chemistry courses must be completed from the following four sets of courses: 1) two semesters of math courses: (MATH 180 or MATH 162) and (MATH 181 or MATH 163 or STAT 145 or CS 150L); and 2) two semesters of physics courses: (PHYC 151 and 152) or (PHYC 160 and 161) or (PHYC 102 and EPS 101); and 3) two semesters of general chemistry courses: (CHEM 121/123L and CHEM 122/124L) or (CHEM 131L and CHEM 132L); and 4) one semester of organic chemistry: (CHEM 301/303L or CHEM 212).

    6.  Candidates for both the B.A. and the B.S. degrees in Biology with a concentration in Conservation Biology must take a minimum of 6 credit hours to be taken from a list of complementary interdisciplinary electives available from the department advisor.

    Grade of C or better required in all of the above courses.

    *NOTE: Departmental advisement is required for students who wish to complete the concentration in Conservation Biology.


    Concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology

    Climate change and other pressing environmental problems have led to the increased importance of a solid understanding of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEOB). The concentration provides a depth of understanding at multiple hierarchies of biological organization and exposes students to the techniques, methodologies and approaches used by these sub-disciplines. Students develop expertise with the biology of a group of organisms, familiarity with methodologies used in study, expertise with the systematics of classification, and significant hands-on experience in the field or research laboratory. The concentration, available to students pursuing either the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Biology, is designed to provide a comprehensive background for students planning to pursue graduate school or seek a career in a governmental agency.

    Majors in biology seeking a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in EEOB must satisfy the requirements given in sections 1, 2, 3 and 6. Majors in biology seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree must satisfy the requirements in sections 4, 5, and 6.

    Requirements

    Credit
    Hours
    1. Successful completion of the four-course introductory sequence:
    BIOL 201L Molecular and Cell Biology 4
    BIOL 202L Genetics 4
    BIOL 203 and 203L Ecology and Evolution and Laboratory 4
    BIOL 204 and 204L Plant and Animal Form and Function and Laboratory 4
    Subtotal 16
    2. Successful completion of upper-division courses in both Ecology and Evolution:
    BIOL 300 Evolution 3
    BIOL 310L Principles of Ecology 3
    Subtotal 6-7
    3. Successful completion of at least one taxonomic based course from the following:
    BIOL 450 General Virology 3
    BIOL 463L Flora of New Mexico 4
    BIOL 482L Parasitology 4
    BIOL 484/584 Biology of Fungi 3
    BIOL 485L Entomology 4
    BIOL 486L Ornithology 4
    BIOL 487L Ichthyology 4
    BIOL 488L Herpetology 4
    BIOL 489L Mammalogy 4
    Subtotal 3-4
    4. Successful completion of at least one synthetic/comparative taxonomic based course and lab from the following:
    BIOL 351 General Microbiology 3
    BIOL 360L General Botany 4
    BIOL 371L Invertebrate Biology 4
    BIOL 386L General Vertebrate Zoology 4
    Subtotal 4
    5. Successful completion of at least one statistics course from the following:
    PSY 200 Statistical Principles 3
    STAT 145 Introduction to Statistics 3
    STAT 345 Elements of Mathematical Statistics and Probability Theory 3
    STAT 427 Advanced Data Analysis I 3
    Or other course with prior approval from EEOB faculty advisory committee
    Subtotal  3
    6. Successful completion of at least one course from each of the following clusters:
    A) Individual (Genes/Physiology) Cluster
    BIOL 401 T: Microbial Genetics 3
    BIOL 435L Animal Physiology 4
    BIOL 436L Phylogenetics 4
    BIOL 437 Evolutionary Genetics 3
    BIOL 460 Microbial Physiology 3
    BIOL 471 Plant Physiological Ecology 3
    BIOL 478L Plant Physiology 4
    Or other course with prior approval from EEOB faculty advisory committee
    B) Population (Behavior/Population Biology) Cluster
    BIOL 409 T: Conservation Genetics 3
    BIOL 409 T: Sexual Systems in Animals: Diversity and Evolution 3
    BIOL 455 Ethology: Animal Behavior 3
    BIOL 491 Population Genetics 3
    ANTH 360 Human Behavioral Ecology 3
    ANTH 363 Primate Social Behavior 3
    ANTH 491 Population Genetics 3
    Or other course with prior approval from EEOB faculty advisory committee
    C) Community/Ecosystem Cluster
    BIOL 405 Ecosystem Dynamics 3
    BIOL 409 T: Ecology of Plant Microbe Symbiosis 3
    BIOL 419 T: Global Change Biology 3
    BIOL 451 Microbial Ecology 3
    BIOL 475 Plant Community Ecology 3
    BIOL 495 Limnology 3
    BIOL 511 Macroecology* 3
    BIOL 514 Ecosystem Studies* 3
    BIOL 535/EPS 535 Freshwater Ecosystems* 3
    Or other course with prior approval from EEOB faculty advisory committee
    * Graduate courses which need approval for undergraduate enrollment.
    Subtotal 9-12
    7. Demonstration of significant hands-on experience in the field or research laboratory. Choose one:
    BIOL 400 Senior Honors Thesis varies
    BIOL 408L Bosque Internship 4
    BIOL 409 T: Ornithological Field Expedition 3
    BIOL 461L Introduction to Tropical Biology 4
    BIOL 463L Flora of New Mexico 4
    BIOL 496L Limnology Laboratory 1
    BIOL 499 Undergraduate Problems 1-4
    PSY 465L Gorilla Observation Laboratory 3
    Successful completion of an approved field course offered at UNM or at another accredited institution 
    Participation in a NSF REU program at UNM or elsewhere
    Other field experience with prior approval from EEOB faculty advisory committee
    Subtotal 0-4
    8. Successful completion of at least one interdisciplinary synthetic course:
    BIOL 324L Natural History of the Southwest 4
    BIOL 379 Conservation Biology 3
    BIOL 419 Topics in Interdisciplinary Science 3
    BIOL 445 Biology of Toxins 3
    BIOL 470 Biology: Discovery and Innovation 3
    BIOL 490 Biology of Infectious Organisms 3
    BIOL 492 Introductory Mathematical Biology 3
    BIOL 494 Biogeography 3
    BIOL 495 Limnology 3
    BIOL 518 Evolutionary and Ecological Genomics* 3
    BIOL 535/EPS 535 Freshwater Ecosystems* 3
    BIOL 558/EPS 558 Geomicrobiology* 3
    ANTH 350 Human Biology 3
    ANTH 357 Human Origins 3
    BIOC 423 Introductory Biochemistry 3
    EPS 352 Global Climate Change 3
    EPS 439 Paleoclimatology 3
    Or other course with prior approval from EEOB faculty advisory committee
    * Graduate courses which need approval for undergraduate enrollment.
    Subtotal 3-4
    9. Successful completion of at least one semester of the "Brown Bag" seminar:
    BIOL 402 T: Brown Bag 1
    Subtotal 1-2
    10. Successful completion of additional Biology courses so that the total number of Biology credit hours is greater than or equal to 48.
    11. Successful completion of supporting courses in Math, Physics, and Chemistry:
    Math: (180 and 181) or (162 and 163)
    Physics: (151 and 152) or (160 and 161)
      Chemistry: (121 and 123L and 122 and 124L) or (131L and 132L)
    PLUS one semester of organic chemistry (**301 and 303L) or (212 and 124L)
    Subtotal 24-27


    Notes:

    • BIOL 110, 112L, 123, 124L, 136 and 239L do not count toward a biology major.
    • A course fulfilling one requirement cannot be used towards another (e.g., no double-dipping); BIOL 419 is considered a different course, if it has a different instructor/title.
    • Verify that course work meets with requirements for a B.S. in Biology.  Specifically, course work must include three 400-level courses from different categories, as identified in the Catalog (cell/molecular, interdisciplinary, ecology/evolution, organismal).
    • All courses in Biology and supporting areas must be completed with a grade of C or better.
    • Transfer students must complete at least 19 credit hours of biology course work at UNM.

    Minor Study Requirements

    BIOL 201L, 202L, 203 and 203L, 204 and 204L, plus 6 additional credit hours of biology. (BIOL 110, 112L, 123, 124L, 239L, and 499 are not allowed for biology minor credit.)

    Grade of C or better required in all courses counted for the minor. Transfer students must obtain 6 Biology credit hours at UNM.

    Curricula Preparatory to Health Sciences

    See School of Medicine.


    Departmental Honors

    Students interested in the Biology Honors program must complete and submit the application form to the Biology Program Coordinator. Upon entering the honors program, the student’s research must be approved by both members of the honors committee. Students ideally should apply for this program in their junior year.

    1.  Students pursuing Biology honors must form their honors committee consisting of two faculty members, a research advisor and a reader, as described below:

        • One committee member must be a member of the Biology core faculty. Students must register in the section of BIOL 400 taught by this faculty member.
        • The other committee member may also be selected from the Biology core faculty, or may be an adjunct, research, or regular faculty member at UNM with approval of the Biology Department Honors Program Chair.

    2.  One of the two honors committee members must be designated as the research advisor, usually the committee member with whom the student conducts the majority of their research project.

        • The student works with the research advisor to develop a program of independent research that results in the preparation and submission of an honors thesis and a formal presentation.
        • Students must submit their final thesis, approved by their honors committee, to the Biology Department Honors Program Coordinator by the end of the 5th week in the semester in which they intend to graduate.

    3.  The formal presentations can be an oral or poster presentation at the Biology Research Day or at an approved scientific venue. Presentations must also be submitted to the Biology Department Honors Program Coordinator by the 5th week in the semester in which they intend to graduate. Students may present up to the end of their graduating semester.

    4.  Enrollment in BIOL 400 is required for two semesters while in the Biology Department Honors program. In addition to working on their project, students in BIOL 400 are required to participate in periodic meetings.

    5.  The Biology Department Honors Committee consults with the student's committee to determine the level of honors to be awarded.


    Courses

    BIOL 110. Biology Non-Majors. (3)



    BIOL 112L. Biology Laboratory for Non-Majors. (1)



    BIOL 123. Biology for Health Related Sciences and Non-Majors. (3)



    BIOL 124L. Biology for Health Related Sciences and Non-Majors Lab. (1)



    BIOL 201L. Molecular and Cell Biology. (4)



    BIOL 202L. Genetics. (4)



    BIOL 203. Ecology and Evolution. (3)



    BIOL 203L. Ecology and Evolution Laboratory. (1)



    BIOL 204. Plant and Animal Form and Function. (3)



    BIOL 204L. Plant and Animal Form and Function Laboratory. (1)



    BIOL 237. Human Anatomy and Physiology I for the Health Sciences. (3)



    BIOL 238. Human Anatomy and Physiology II for the Health Sciences. (3)



    BIOL 239L. Microbiology for Health Sciences and Non-Majors. (4)



    BIOL 247L. Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory I. (1)



    BIOL 248L. Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory II. (1)



    BIOL 300. Evolution. (3)



    BIOL 310L. Principles of Ecology. (4)



    BIOL 324L. Natural History of the Southwest. (4)



    BIOL **351. General Microbiology. (3)



    BIOL **352L. General Microbiology Laboratory. (1)



    BIOL 360L. General Botany. (4)



    BIOL 365. Evolution of Human Sexuality. (3)



    BIOL *371L. Invertebrate Biology. (4)



    BIOL 379. Conservation Biology. (3)



    BIOL 386L. General Vertebrate Zoology. (4)



    BIOL 400. Senior Honors Thesis. (1-3, no limit Δ)



    BIOL *401. Topics in Cell and Molecular Biology. (3, no limit Δ)



    BIOL 402 / 502. Topics in Biology. (1-3, no limit Δ)



    BIOL 404 / 504. Topics in Physiology. (3, no limit Δ)



    BIOL 405 / 505. Ecosystem Dynamics. (3)



    BIOL *406. Topics in Organismal Biology. (3)



    BIOL 408L / 508L. Bosque Internship. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



    BIOL 409 / 509. Topics in Ecology/Evolution. (3, no limit Δ)



    BIOL 410 / 510. Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics. (4)



    BIOL *412. Developmental Biology. (3)



    BIOL *416L. Histology. (4)



    BIOL 419 / 519. Topics in Interdisciplinary Science. (3, no limit Δ)



    BIOL *425. Molecular Genetics. (3)



    BIOL *428. Human Heredity. (3)



    BIOL *429. Molecular Cell Biology I. (3)



    BIOL *435L. Animal Physiology. (4)



    BIOL 436L / 536L. Phylogenetics. (4)



    BIOL 437 / 537. Evolutionary Genetics. (3)



    BIOL 444 / 544. Genomes and Genomic Analyses. (3)



    BIOL 445 / 545. Biology of Toxins. (3)



    BIOL 446 / 546. Laboratory Methods in Molecular Biology. (4)



    BIOL *450. General Virology. (3)



    BIOL *451. Microbial Ecology. (3)



    BIOL 452. Anthropological Genetics. (3)



    BIOL *455. Ethology: Animal Behavior. (3)



    BIOL 456 / 556. Immunology. (3)



    BIOL *460. Microbial Physiology. (3)



    BIOL 461L. Introduction to Tropical Biology. (4)



    BIOL *463L. Flora of New Mexico. (4)



    BIOL 470 / 570. Biology: Discovery and Innovation. (4)



    BIOL 471 / 571. Plant Physiological Ecology. (3)



    BIOL 475 / 575. Plant Community Ecology. (3)



    BIOL 478L / 578L. Plant Physiology. (4)



    BIOL 480 / 580. Global Change Biology. (3)



    BIOL 482L / 582L. Parasitology. (4)



    BIOL 484 / 584. Biology of Fungi. (4)



    BIOL 485L / 585L. Entomology. (4)



    BIOL *486L. Ornithology. (4)



    BIOL *487L. Ichthyology. (4)



    BIOL *488L. Herpetology. (4)



    BIOL *489L. Mammalogy. (4)



    BIOL *490. Biology of Infectious Organisms. (3)



    BIOL 491 / 591. Population Genetics. (3)



    BIOL 492 / 592. Introductory Mathematical Biology. (3)



    BIOL *494. Biogeography. (3)



    BIOL *495. Limnology. (3)



    BIOL *496L. Limnology Laboratory. (1)



    BIOL 497 / 597. Principles of Gene Expression. (3)



    BIOL 499. Undergraduate Problems. (1-3, no limit Δ)



    BIOL 500. New Graduate Student Seminar. (1)



    BIOL 502 / 402. Topics in Biology. (1-3, no limit Δ)



    BIOL 503. Seminar in Interdisciplinary Biological and Biomedical Sciences. (3, no limit Δ)



    BIOL 504 / 404. Topics in Physiology. (3, no limit Δ)



    BIOL 505 / 405. Ecosystem Dynamics. (3)



    BIOL 508L / 408L. Bosque Internship. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



    BIOL 509 / 409. Topics in Ecology/Evolution. (3, no limit Δ)



    BIOL 510 / 410. Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics. (4)



    BIOL 511. Macroecology. (3)



    BIOL 514. Ecosystem Studies. (3)



    BIOL 516. Basic Graduate Ecology. (4)



    BIOL 517. Basic Graduate Evolution. (4)



    BIOL 519 / 419. Topics in Interdisciplinary Science. (3, no limit Δ)



    BIOL 520. Topics in Interdisciplinary Biological and Biomedical Sciences. (3, unlimited Δ)



    BIOL 524. Collaborative Interdisciplinary Teaching. (3)



    BIOL 535. Freshwater Ecosystems. (3)



    BIOL 536L / 436L. Phylogenetics. (4)



    BIOL 537 / 437. Evolutionary Genetics. (3)



    BIOL 544 / 444. Genomes and Genomic Analyses. (3)



    BIOL 545 / 445. Biology of Toxins. (3)



    BIOL 546 / 446. Laboratory Methods in Molecular Biology. (4)



    BIOL 547. Advanced Techniques in Light Microscopy. (4)



    BIOL 551. Research Problems. (1-12, no limit Δ)



    BIOL 556 / 456. Immunology. (3)



    BIOL 558. Geomicrobiology. (3)



    BIOL 561. Tropical Biology. (4)



    BIOL 565. Sociobiology and Evolutionary Ecology. (3)



    BIOL 570 / 470. Biology: Discovery and Innovation. (4)



    BIOL 571 / 471. Plant Physiological Ecology. (3)



    BIOL 575 / 475. Plant Community Ecology. (3)



    BIOL 578L / 478L. Plant Physiology. (4)



    BIOL 580 / 480. Global Change Biology. (3)



    BIOL 582L / 482L. Parasitology. (4)



    BIOL 584 / 484. Biology of Fungi. (4)



    BIOL 585L / 485L. Entomology. (4)



    BIOL 591 / 491. Population Genetics. (3)



    BIOL 592 / 492. Introductory Mathematical Biology. (3)



    BIOL 597 / 497. Principles of Gene Expression. (3)



    BIOL 599. Master's Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)



    BIOL 651. Advanced Field Biology. (4-8)



    BIOL 699. Dissertation. (3-12, no limit Δ)



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    Office of the Registrar

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