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Biology

Departmental Advising & Support

Undergraduate Biology and Marine Biology majors should see a Departmental Advisor (below) if your question pertains to:

  • Specific Biology course requirements
  • Petitions
  • Exceptions
  • Biology transfer evaluations
  • Prerequisites for Biology courses

For general advising pertaining to the UO requirements, or pre-health advising, it’s recommended you see an advisor in Tykeson Hall.

On This page:

Advising
Major and Minor Maps
Frequently Asked Questions
4-Year Plans
Change of Major and Minor
 
 

Biology Advising

Schedule an Advising Appointment

We are now open for in-person, drop-in advising, Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Please e-mail us at bioadvis@uoregon.edu or to schedule a Zoom appointment, check the Advising Appointment Request site. Thanks for including your UO ID number when contacting us.

Biology & Marine Biology Question?

Please e-mail us at bioadvis@uoregon.edu or contact: 

Pat Lombardi at lombardi@uoregon.edu or Jana Prikryl at jprikryl@uoregon.edu.

Course Registration Question?

Click here to view Projected Course Offerings by Terms.

Contact Kennedy Cyr at kcyr@uoregon.edu

We look forward to hearing from you & will be in touch soon!

Meet Department advisors

Pat Lombardi (Faculty Advisor)

Jana Prikryl (Faculty Advisor)

Kennedy Cyr (Undergraduate Program Assistant)

Julia Prange (Peer Advisor)

  • Phone: 541-346-4525
  • Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Major: Biology, Minor: Chemistry and Environmental Studies
  • "As a peer advisor, I have enjoyed being able to understand the biology major in greater depth and be able to help other students in their path to graduation. I have also like getting to meet many people majoring in biology and develop a relationship with the faculty members in the biology office. I think that peer advising is a great way to learn to communicate effectively, meet new people, and help students as other advisors have helped me in the past."

Raquelle Melchert (Peer Advisor)

  • Phone: 541-346-4525
  • Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Major: Human Physiology, Minor: Biology
  • "The best part of being a peer advisor is helping others achieve their goals. It's very rewarding to meet with a student who is having a hard time, either with class material or scheduling, and then see them become more confident in their situation as we problem-solve together. It's also fun to be in an environment of motivated staff and students, and I have already learned so much from the other biology advisors and even from students who come in for help. I really enjoy being a peer advisor, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in immersing themselves in the biology department."

Michelle Wallace (Peer Advisor)

  • Phone: 541-346-4525
  • Office Hours: Monday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Major: Marine Biology, Minor: Media Studies and Environmental Studies
  • “As a peer advisor, I hope to create a space for students to explore their interests and get a better understanding of what the marine biology major entails. It has introduced me to so many amazing opportunities, and I'm excited for others to gain that knowledge as well. Navigating academics on the path to graduation can be intimidating, and I strive to make the experience less daunting for my peers as previous advisors did for me.”

Major and/or minor maps

Why study Biology or Marine Biology? What’s required for a degree? It’s all summarized in our major and minor maps.

BI Major Map

​​​​​​BI Minor Map

Apply Now

Declare the Biology Major

Additional Resources

Health Professions Program at UO

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can I take Biology courses pass/no pass and still have them count for the biology major?

Yes, biology majors can take most courses pass/no pass, including those required for the biology major. However, keep in mind that you can only take 12 credits pass/no pass out of 180 credits. If you go over 180 credits then you can take more credits pass/no pass. The university requires 168 graded or P* credits.

  1. Do I need to complete an emphasis area if I major in Biology?

No, you are not required to complete an emphasis area for the major. However, we do recommend emphasis areas because they enable you to focus on a certain aspect of biology. The emphasis areas are: Marine Biology, Human Biology, Neuroscience & Behavior, Ecology & Evolution, and Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology.

  1. What lab sequences are required for the Biology major?

General Chemistry Labs (CH227, 228, 229 or CH 237, 238, 239) are the only labs required for the biology major. However, if you are pursuing a career in health care (e.g., dentistry, medicine, etc) or planning to attend graduate school, Organic Chemistry and Physics labs may also be required. If you are unsure, check with UO Health Professions Program and/or graduate school of interest.

  1. What is the difference between Math 246/247 and Math 251/252? Which one do you recommend?

Math 246/247 is Calculus for Biological Sciences I & II. Math 251/252 is General Calculus I & II. For biology majors, we strongly recommend that you take 246/247 because of its applications to biology. However, both of the sequences fulfill the requirement for the biology major.

  1. How do I get into a research lab?

Please visit Undergraduate Research in Biology to learn more information about this process, and come see us in the Biology Advising Center (Klamath Hall 65) with follow-up questions.

  1. What are the differences between a Marine Biology major vs. a Marine Biology emphasis?

In order to earn a degree with a Marine Biology major, you need to spend at least three terms, 12 credits per term minimum, at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology (OIMB) plus fulfill all of the major requirements. Students majoring in Biology, General Science, Environmental Studies, etc. may earn an emphasis in Marine Biology by spending a term at OIMB and taking the required emphasis courses.

  1. I’m in the Clark Honors College and a Biology major.  Do I have to take both HC 477H Thesis Prospectus and BI 403 Bio Honors Thesis?

If you are a Biology Honors student, you need to choose from either the BI 401 Research (4 credits) or take the year-long BI 403 (Bio Honors thesis) during your Senior year, HC 477H cannot substitute this Biology Honors course requirement.

  1. Can I count BI 401 research credits towards my upper-division credits?

For Biology and Marine Biology majors, you may apply a maximum of four credits of BI 401 Research to be applied towards the elective Biology upper-division credits. In addition, two terms of BI 401 in the same laboratory is equivalent to one Lab/Field course.

4-Year Plans

Sample 4-yr plans for the Biology major listed below are based on initial Math placement. Prior to taking the exam, students are encouraged to study problems on sites like the Khan Academy. Preparation and retaking the exam has improved individual placement considerably. There are a number of possible hybrids for the below plans, any of which can include premedical preparation and research. For details on premedical and other allied health programs, please see our outstanding Health Professions Program.

MATH 111        MATH 112        MATH 246/251        MARB 4-year plan

Change of Major

Add/Drop Biology or Marine Biology Major/Minor

If you are adding a Biology Major or Minor; or adding a Marine Biology Major: Please fill out the below Change of Major/Minor form. If you have any specific questions please contact bioadvis@uoregon.edu

If you are dropping a Biology or Marine Biology Major: You need to go to your new major’s department and fill out the major declaration form. Be sure to note on their form that you are dropping the biology/marine biology major. You do not need to contact the Biology Advising Center unless your new major is outside of the College of Arts & Science.

If you are dropping Biology/Marine Biology as a 2nd major or dropping the Biology Minor: Please fill out the Change of Major/Minor form.