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DePaul Biological Sciences Graduate Program
 

We strongly recommend contacting your academic advisor to discuss your choice of program and proper sequencing of classes. A description and suggested timeline are given below.

The standard concentration in Biology begins with a one-year general introductory sequence:

  • Bio 101: General Biology I + Lab
  • Bio 102: General Biology II + Lab
  • Bio 103: General Biology III + Lab

This is followed by five core classes:

  • Ecology + Lab
  • Cell Biology + Lab
  • Genetics + Lab
  • Physiology + Lab
  • Biometry / Statistics

Advanced students then choose five elective courses, two with labs, from a wide range of offerings in the department. All majors must complete a one-quarter Senior Capstone seminar prior to graduation. Allied field requirements include one year each of the following:

  • General Chemistry + Lab
  • Organic Chemistry + Lab
  • Physics + Lab
  • Calculus

 

Suggested Timeline for Incoming Students (Standard Biology Concentration)

 
Autumn
Winter
Spring
Year ONE
Gen Bio 101
Gen Bio 102
Gen Bio 103
 
Gen Chem
Gen Chem
Gen Chem
Explore/Discover Chicago
Liberal Stud Elective (Math)
Focal Point
Composition I
Composition II
Lib Stud Elective
    
Year TWO
Ecology
Cell Biology
Genetics
 
Organic Chem
Organic Chem
Organic Chem
Calculus
Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Multiculturalism Seminar
Lib Stud Elective
    
Year THREE
Bio Elect
Bio Elect
Physiology (Animal or Plant)
 
Physics
Physics
Physics
Lib Stud Elect
Lib Stud Elect
Lib Stud Elect

Gen Elect
Lib Stud Elect
Experiential Learning
    
Year FOUR
Bio Elect
Bio Elect
Bio Elect
 
Lib Stud Elect
Lib Stud Elect
Lib Stud Elect
Lib Stud Elect
Lib Stud Elect
Capstone
Gen Elect
Gen Elect
Gen Elect

General Considerations
Liberal Studies Electives and General Elective slots are flexible and can be switched around relatively freely as needed.

Mathematics Proficiency
If math skills are a particular problem (e.g. you are assessed at any level below pre-calculus), you are strongly urged to use your elective slots in the first year for any pre-calc math requirements, then take General Chem and General Bio in your second year.

AP credit from High School
Students generally get one General Biology course credit for a "3", two for a "4", and a full year for a "5" score on a Biology AP exam. For less than a full year’s credit, we suggest the student sit down with an academic advisor to determine which subject material was weakest in their high school curriculum, and then take the quarter(s) with the corresponding material from our General Biology sequence. We also encourage those students with strong backgrounds (e.g. "5" on the AP exams) to start their freshman year by taking the Biology core courses if appropriate, allowing them to take additional biology electives in their senior year.