In successfully completing a major in biology, students must demonstrate:

• an understanding of the basic principles and concepts of biology; 
• an advanced level of competence in four areas of biology:
  1) Hereditary biology; 2) Cell biology; 3) Ecology; and 4) Evolutionary biology;
• the ability to think critically and quantitatively;
• the ability to synthesize information from a variety of different sources; and
• the ability to write and speak in the discipline.

Requirements for Major or Minor

The biology major is available as a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree.

For a major in Biology: 38 credits. 210 and 211, 270, 285, 400, 450, 486, and nine additional Biology credits. In addition, CHEM 210, 211, 321 and 322.

For a minor in Biology: 20 credits in the department, including 210, 211 and at least three additional courses.
No more than a total of 5 credits from the following may apply towards a Biology major or minor: 025, 480, 485, 487, and 490.

For either a major or a minor, students with an AP Biology test score of 5, or with a score of 5 or higher in the International Baccalaureate subject exam in biology, receive 5 elective credits of Biology. They are not exempt from taking BIO 210 and 211.

For Oregon Initial Teaching Licensure in Biology, a student must complete the Linfield Teacher Education Program and the State of Oregon licensure requirements. In order to complete these requirements, a student must begin taking education courses no later then his/her sophomore year. The student must be advised by an Education Department faculty member each semester prior to registration.