Frequently Asked Questions: Biological Sciences
1. What sets Purdue's program apart? (top)
The Department of Biological Sciences at Purdue University offers students many opportunities for excellence. Two of its faculty members have received Purdue's Outstanding Teacher Award, and many are more than willing to offer undergraduate students the chance to serve as research assistants under their leadership. Recent graduates have continued on to schools such as Harvard, Yale and Duke after receiving their degree in one of the 9 different biology majors available.
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Science Education - Biology Concentration
- Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology
- Ecology, Evolutionary, and Environmental Biology
- Genetics
- Health and Disease
- Microbiology
- Neurobiology and Physiology
2. What can I do with a biology degree from Purdue? (top)
Many students choose to use their undergraduate biology education as a stepping stone to higher education such as medical school, vet school, or dentistry. However, there are many other options as well. Some graduates have become high school biology teachers, worked in pharmaceutical sales, or as environmental regulators, while others have gone into widely varied fields of science research and development. Those that continued on to the work force earned starting salaries between $30,000 and $50,000.
Read more about recent graduates from the Careers site.
3. How should I prepare for the biology program in high school? (top)
It is extremely important to take as many classes as you can in biology, physics, chemistry and calculus.
4. What courses will I take as a biology student? (top)
In your first two years, you will take a common core of biology courses and labs which cover topics including Cell Structure & Function, Genetics & Molecular Biology (as well as the topics listed in the section below.) You will also take general chemistry, organic chemistry, English composition, two semesters of calculus, and a combination of general education and foreign language courses. Later in the curriculum, you will also be required to take:
- Physics
- Computer Programming
- Statistics
- Additional general education electives
- Additional Biological Sciences classes
Typical First-Year Coursework
Semester one:
BIOL 12100, Diversity, Ecology and Behavior, 2 credit hours
BIOL 13500, First Year Biology Lab, 2 credit hours
CHM 12901, General Chemistry with a Biology Focus, 5 credit hours
MA 16010, 16100 or 16500, Applied Calculus or Calculus & Analytical Geometry, 3-5 credit hours
ENGL 10600, English Composition, 4 credit hours
Total: 16 to 18 credit hours
Semester two:
BIOL 13100, Development, Structure, and Function of Organisms, 3 credit hours
CHM 25500, Organic Chemistry, 3 credit hours
CHM 25501, Lab in Organic Chemistry, 1 credit hours
MA 16020, 16200, 16600, Applied Calculus or Calculus & Analytical Geometry, 3-5 credit hours
Language & Culture, 3 credit hours
General Education, 3 credit hours
Total: 16 to 18 credit hours
* Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate , which is an average of 15 credit hours / semester.
Contact:
By phone: 765.494.1771 or 800.804.8061
College of Science: www.science.purdue.edu
Department of Biological Sciences: www.biology.purdue.edu
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