The tables below outline graduation requirements for Biology and Biochemistry majors. This information is provided as a guide only: the College catalog is your official source for details of courses and requirements. The catalog in effect for your first semester at North Central determines your graduation requirements, unless you have requested to switch to a later catalog. The curricula below are current starting with the 2024-25 catalog. See also our four-year plans page for help in fitting the curriculum into your schedule.
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology
- There are three tracks leading to a Bachelor of Science in Biology:
- The Biological Science track is intended for students preparing for research and industry jobs of all kinds as well as post-graduate study (MS or PhD). The courses in this track meet the requirements of most graduate programs and jobs requiring rigorous preparation.
- The Biomedical Science track is tailored toward preparation for professional schools granting MD, DO, DDS or DVM degrees and is also appropriate for PA programs. Courses typically required as pre-requisites for professional programs are indicated with (*).
- The Biology Education track is specific for students preparing for middle-school or high-school teaching; it includes all required education courses and counts as a double major (BA in secondary education).
Biological Science track | Biomedical Science track | |
Core Courses |
BIOL 195 - Investigating Biology or BIOL 205 - Exploring Biology (transfers, 2 cr) BIOL 210 - Cells & Systems BIOL 220 - Ecology & Evolution BIOL 230 - Genes & Genomes BIOL 240 - Biostatistics (2 cr) |
BIOL 195 - Investigating Biology or BIOL 205 - Exploring Biology (transfers, 2 cr) BIOL 210 - Cells & Systems* BIOL 220 - Ecology & Evolution BIOL 230 - Genes & Genomes* BIOL 240 - Biostatistics (2 cr) |
Anatomy & Physiology | BIOL 201 - Anatomy & Physiology I BIOL 202 - Anatomy & Physiology II | |
Advanced Electives |
Three courses from: BIOL 310 - Animal Biology BIOL 315 - Animal Physiology BIOL 317 - Animal Behavior BIOL 320 - Plant Growth & Function BIOL 325 - Plant Interactions in a Changing World BIOL 330 - Evolution BIOL 340 - Infectious Disease BIOL 350 - Conservation Ecology BIOL 360 - Molecular Biology of Cancer BIOL 370 - Mechanisms of Development BCHM 365 - Biochemistry NEUR 310 - Molecular Neuroscience |
Two courses from: BIOL 310 - Animal Biology BIOL 315 - Animal Physiology BIOL 317 - Animal Behavior BIOL 320 - Plant Growth & Function BIOL 325 - Plant Interactions in a Changing World BIOL 330 - Evolution BIOL 340 - Infectious Disease BIOL 350 - Conservation Ecology BIOL 360 - Molecular Biology of Cancer BIOL 370 - Mechanisms of Development NEUR 310 - Molecular Neuroscience |
Support Courses |
CHEM 121 & 122 - General Chemistry I & II CHEM 251 & 252 - Organic Chemistry I & II CHEM 310 - Chemical Analysis PHYS 131 & 132 - Physics I & II MATH 151 - Calculus I |
CHEM 121 & 122 - General Chemistry I & II* CHEM 251 & 252 - Organic Chemistry I & II* BCHM 365 - Biochemistry* PHYS 131 & 132 - Physics I & II* MATH 151 - Calculus I* |
Enrichment | Four hours from: MATH 152 - Calculus II MATH 255 - Differential Equations CSCE 160 - Computer Programming BIOL 241 - Advanced Biostatistics BIOL 242 - Bioinformatics BIOL 250 - Field Biology CHEM 311 - Separation Methods CHEM 315 - Spectral Analysis ENVI 260 - Geographic Info Systems ENGL 282 - Writing in STEM Professions HTSC 310 - Epidemiology MORT 3xx - Morton Arboretum courses SHED 3xx - Shedd Aquarium courses |
One course from: PHIL 213 - Healthcare Ethics SOAR 215 - Sociology of Health KINE 230 - Community Health KINE 300 - Epidemiology |
Capstone | BIOL 400 - Capstone Studies in Biol Sciences (2 cr) Each lab section has a different topic; choose a lab matching your interests | |
Research,1 Careers & Seminar |
BIOL 290 - Seminar (0 cr; attend as participant/evaluator, freshman year suggested) BIOL 390 - Careers in the Biological Sciences (2 cr; fall only, sophomore year suggested) BIOL 490 - Seminar (1 cr; present your research) | |
Biology Education track | ||
Science Courses | Education Courses | |
Core Courses |
BIOL 195 - Investigating Biology or BIOL 205 - Exploring Biology (transfers, 2 cr) BIOL 210 - Cells & Systems BIOL 220 - Ecology & Evolution BIOL 230 - Genes & Genomes BIOL 240 - Biostatistics (2 cr) |
EDUC 101 - Fundamentals of Teaching and Learning EDUC 200 - Introduction to Teaching EDUC 290 - Field Experience I (1 cr) EDUC 322 - Equitable Learning Environment (2 cr) EDUC 330 - Teaching Students with Disabilities EDUC 360 - Content Area Literacies EDUC 390 - Field Experience II (1 cr) EDUC 403 - Assessment of Learning (2 cr) EDUC 411 - Equity & Access in Educational Systems EDUC 446 - Methods: Science EDUC 490 - Field Experience III (1 cr) EDUC 494 & 496 - Student Teaching (12 cr) |
Advanced Electives |
Three courses from: BIOL 310 - Animal Biology BIOL 315 - Animal Physiology BIOL 317 - Animal Behavior BIOL 320 - Plant Growth & Function BIOL 325 - Plant Interactions in a Changing World BIOL 330 - Evolution BIOL 340 - Infectious Disease BIOL 350 - Conservation Ecology BIOL 360 - Molecular Biology of Cancer BIOL 370 - Mechanisms of Development BCHM 365 - Biochemistry NEUR 310 - Molecular Neuroscience | |
Support Courses |
CHEM 121 & 122 - General Chemistry I & II PHYS 131 - Physics I MATH 151 - Calculus I SCIE 141 - Earth Science |
PSYC 100 - Psychology: Science of Behavior |
Capstone | BIOL 400 - Capstone Studies in Biological Sciences (2 cr) Each lab section has a different topic; choose a lab matching your interests | |
Research,1 Careers & Seminar |
BIOL 290 - Seminar (0 cr; attend as participant/evaluator) BIOL 390 - Careers in the Biological Sciences (2 cr; fall only) BIOL 490 - Seminar (1 cr; present your research) |
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biology
- There are two tracks leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Biology:
- The Health Professions track is intended for students preparing for professional programs leading to careers such as physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, pharmacy, optometry, etc.
- The Biology Professions track is intended to allow students to pursue a second major, qualifying them for careers at the interface of biology and a field such as education, mathematics, computer science, environmental studies, psychology, neuroscience, physics, engineering, business, etc.
Health Professions track | Biology Professions track | |
Course Number | Course Name | |
Core Courses |
BIOL 195 - Investigating Biology or BIOL 205 - Exploring Biology (transfers, 2 cr) BIOL 210 - Cells & Systems BIOL 220 - Ecology & Evolution BIOL 230 - Genes & Genomes BIOL 240 - Biostatistics (2 cr) |
BIOL 195 - Investigating Biology or BIOL 205 - Exploring Biology (transfers, 2 cr) BIOL 210 - Cells & Systems BIOL 220 - Ecology & Evolution BIOL 230 - Genes & Genomes BIOL 240 - Biostatistics (2 cr) |
Anatomy & Physiology |
BIOL 201 - Anatomy & Physiology I BIOL 202 - Anatomy & Physiology II | |
Advanced Electives |
Two courses from: BIOL 310 - Animal Biology BIOL 315 - Animal Physiology BIOL 317 - Animal Behavior BIOL 320 - Plant Growth & Function BIOL 325 - Plant Interactions in a Changing World BIOL 330 - Evolution BIOL 340 - Infectious Disease BIOL 350 - Conservation Ecology BIOL 360 - Molecular Biology of Cancer BIOL 370 - Mechanisms of Development BCHM 365 - Biochemistry NEUR 310 - Molecular Neuroscience |
Two courses from: BIOL 310 - Animal Biology BIOL 315 - Animal Physiology BIOL 317 - Animal Behavior BIOL 320 - Plant Growth & Function BIOL 325 - Plant Interactions in a Changing World BIOL 330 - Evolution BIOL 340 - Infectious Disease BIOL 350 - Conservation Ecology BIOL 360 - Molecular Biology of Cancer BIOL 370 - Mechanisms of Development BCHM 365 - Biochemistry NEUR 310 - Molecular Neuroscience |
Support Courses |
CHEM 121 & 122 - General Chemistry I & II CHEM 251 & 252 - Organic Chemistry I & II or PHYS 131 & 132 - Physics I & II |
CHEM 121 & 122 - General Chemistry I & II |
Enrichment | One course from: PHIL 213 - Healtcare Ethics SOAR 215 - Sociology of Health KINE 230 - Community Health KINE 300 - Epidemiology | Second major (e.g., SecEd, ENVI, NEUR, CSCI, MATH) |
Capstone | BIOL 400 - Capstone Studies in Biological Sciences (2 cr) Each lab section has a different topic; choose a lab matching your interests | |
Research,1 Careers & Seminar |
BIOL 290 - Seminar (0 cr; attend as participant/evaluator, freshman year suggested) BIOL 390 - Careers in the Biological Sciences (2 cr; fall only, sophomore year suggested) BIOL 490 - Seminar (1 cr; present your research) |
Biochemistry
Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary major at the interface of Biology and Chemistry. There are two degrees, Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA). The BS degree includes more advanced courses to build depth, while the BA degree allows more room for a minor or second major to build breadth.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) | Bachelor of Science (BS) | |
Biology Core |
BIOL 195 - Investigating Biology or BIOL 205 - Exploring Biology (transfers, 2 cr) BIOL 210 - Cells & Systems BIOL 230 - Genes & Genomes |
BIOL 195 - Investigating Biology or BIOL 205 - Exploring Biology (transfers, 2 cr) BIOL 210 - Cells & Systems BIOL 230 - Genes & Genomes |
Chemistry Core |
CHEM 121 & 122 - General Chemistry I & II CHEM 251 & 252 - Organic Chemistry I & II CHEM 310 - Chemical Analysis |
CHEM 121 & 122 - General Chemistry I & II CHEM 251 & 252 - Organic Chemistry I & II CHEM 310 - Chemical Analysis |
Biochemistry Depth |
BIOL 360 - Molecular Biology of Cancer BCHM 365 - Biochemistry CHEM 340 - Thermodynamics & Kinetics or CHEM 345 - Quantum Chemistry & Spectroscopy |
BIOL 360 - Molecular Biology of Cancer BCHM 365 - Biochemistry CHEM 340 - Thermodynamics & Kinetics or CHEM 345 - Quantum Chemistry & Spectroscopy |
Advanced Electives | Twelve credit hours from: BIOL 242 - Bioinformatics (1 cr) BIOL 315 - Animal Physiology BIOL 320 - Plant Growth & Function BIOL 330 - Evolution BIOL 340 - Infectious Disease BIOL 370 - Mechanisms of Development CHEM 311 - Separation Methods (2 cr) CHEM 312 - Spectrometry & Spectroscopy (2 cr) CHEM 313 - Materials & Surface Anal (2 cr) CHEM 315 - Spectral Interpretation (2 cr) CHEM 340 - Thermodynamics & Kinetics (if not taken for core) CHEM 345 - Quantum Chemistry & Spectroscopy (if not taken for core) CHEM 401 - Advanced Inorganic Chem CHEM 451 - Advanced Organic Chem CHEM 455 - Organometallic Chem | |
Support Courses |
PHYS 131 & 132 - Physics I & II MATH 151 - Calculus I |
PHYS 131 & 132 - Physics I & II MATH 151 - Calculus I |
Capstone & Research1 |
BCHM 400 - Capstone Studies in Biol. Science (2 cr) Choose the lab section with a molecular project BCHM 465 - Advances in Biomedical Research (2 cr) |
BCHM 400 - Capstone Studies in Biol. Science (2 cr) Choose the lab section with a molecular project BCHM 465 - Advances in Biomedical Research (2 cr) |
Careers & Seminar |
CHEM 391, 392 and 493 - Chemistry Seminar or BIOL 290, 390 and 490 - Biology Seminar |
CHEM 391, 392 and 493 - Chemistry Seminar or BIOL 290, 390 and 490 - Biology Seminar |
1Research experience is required for all BIOL and BCHM majors. BIOL/BCHM 400 has an independent research project as the laboratory, and presenting this project in seminar meets the research requirement. BIOL/BCHM 400 is offered every semester and has one lab section with a molecular, biochemical, or genetic research project and a second section with an organismal, behavioral, or ecological research project. Students interested in research careers are encouraged to do summer research or independent study or to investigate additional research opportunities.
Minor in Biology
Core Courses |
BIOL 195 - Investigating Biology or BIOL 205 - Exploring Biology (transfers, 2 cr) BIOL 210 - Cells & Systems BIOL 220 - Ecology & Evolution BIOL 230 - Genes & Genomes |
Advanced Elective |
One course from: BIOL 310 - Animal Biology BIOL 315 - Animal Physiology BIOL 317 - Animal Behavior BIOL 320 - Plant Growth & Function BIOL 325 - Plant Interactions in a Changing World BIOL 330 - Evolution BIOL 340 - Infectious Disease BIOL 350 - Conservation Ecology BIOL 360 - Molecular Biology of Cancer BIOL 370 - Mechanisms of Development BCHM 365 - Biochemistry |
Support Course | CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I |