A student who intends to become a Biology Major should plan
to take the required introductory courses in biology, chemistry,
and math, as well as additional required courses for the major,
for a total of approximately 9.0 cu by the end of sophomore year.
Candidates with an interest in molecular biology are advised
to take Biol 121 the fall of their freshman year. Biology majors
should complete the full year of introductory biology by the
end of their first semester in the major or by the end of their
sophomore year. Early completion of these courses provides useful
preparation for other biology courses.
For entrance to the Biology major, a candidate should have completed
at least one biology course at Penn, normally Biol 101, 121,
102, or 122. The grade point average in course taken for the
Biology major up to that point (including the required
courses in math, physics, and chemistry) must be at least a "C" (2.0). No
course in the major may be taken pass/fail.
The usual time to apply for the major is during sophomore year,
before pre-registration takes place in the spring semester. Before
applying for a major, a student should first fill out the online
worksheet through Penn-In-Touch and then see their academic advisor
in the College or an advisor in the College of General Studies
who will review the worksheet and make it official.
To apply for the Biology major, you must complete a Biology
Department Student Information Form. You can find a copy of
this form at the end of this manual in Section
18,
Application. Submit the completed form directly to the Biology
Department Academic Office, room 102, Leidy Lab. You may request
a specific
advisor. Otherwise, advisors are assigned according to your declared
area of interest and the advisor's student load. If a Biology
major wishes to change advisors, he or she should contact the
Biology Department Academic Office.
After we have processed your application, we will notify you
by e-mail whether you have been provisionally admitted to the
major and who has been assigned as your major advisor. Once you
have been provisionally admitted, you should make a tentative
plan of courses to be taken to satisfy the major requirements;
fill out the Worksheet
for Selecting a Course Sequence (Section 17) of this Manual.
If you plan on having a Concentration, request the appropriate
Concentration
Worksheet from the Academic Office.
Arrange an appointment with your advisor and bring your Worksheet
for Selecting a Course Sequence and your major file (available
from room 102, Leidy Lab) to the appointment. This provides you
an opportunity to discuss additional or alternative courses that
can best suit your interests, while assuring your planned course
sequence satisfies the major requirements. Once your major advisor
has approved your planned sequence of courses, your approved
form and your major file must be returned to room 102, Leidy
Lab. You will then be formally admitted to the Biology major.
Inquiries about the status of your application should be directed
to the Biology Department Academic Office, room 102, Leidy Lab,
(215) 898-7121.
Transfer students
usually state their choice of major upon admission
to the University. This does not automatically admit them as
Biology majors. Transfer students must have at least
one grade for a Biology major course taken at the University
of Pennsylvania before applying for the major.
Undergraduate Program