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Integrative Biology

The Integrative Biology major provides students with a solid preparation in genetics and evolution, structure and function, ecology and behavior, and comparative physiology and molecular biology. After completion of the core 100- and 200-level sequence in IB, students may complete the required advanced coursework by taking a variety of IB and other courses or focus on a limited area of IB. Plans for the student's combination of advanced courses are developed in consultation with an adviser.

All undergraduates in this field are required to have a strong background in the biological and physical sciences. Students who do not begin mathematics, chemistry, and biology in their freshman year generally will be at a disadvantage.

Students pursuing a degree in Integrative Biology will be allowed to earn a second degree in the Specialized Curriculum in Biochemistry. Students pursuing a degree in Integrative Biology will not be allowed to double major in Molecular and Cellular Biology.

E-mail: sib@life.uiuc.edu

Degree title: Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Minimum Required Courses normally equate to 65-73 hours including 21 hours of 300- and 400-level courses.

General Education: The LAS General Education requirements are set up so students automatically complete the Campus General Education requirements.

Minimum Hours Required for Graduation: 120 hours

Integrative Biology Distinction: To be eligible for distinction a student must graduate with a grade-point average of at least 3.0 and submit a report of an independent student project (IB 290) one month prior to graduation for approval by the Integrative Biology Distinction Committee.

Hours Requirements
5 MATH 220–Calculus I
3 Statistics (an approved introductory statistics course)
8-9 Select one group of courses:
 
CHEM 102–General Chemistry I and
 
CHEM 103–General Chemistry Lab I, and
 
CHEM 104–General Chemistry II and
 
CHEM 105–General Chemistry Lab II
  or
 
CHEM 202–Accelerated Chemistry I, and
 
CHEM 203–Accelerated Chemistry Lab I, and
 
CHEM 204–Accelerated Chemistry II, and
 
CHEM 205–Accelerated Chemistry Lab II
5-6 Select one group of courses:
 
CHEM 232–Elementary Organic Chemistry I, and
 
CHEM 233–Elementary Organic Chem Lab I
  or
 
CHEM 236–Fundamental Organic Chem I, and
 
CHEM 237–Structure and Synthesis
10-12 Select one group of courses:
 
PHYS 101–College Physics, Mech & Heat, and
 
PHYS 102– College Physics, E&M & Modern
  or
 
PHYS 211– Univ Physics, Mechanics, and
 
PHYS 212– Univ Physics, Elec & Mag, and
 
PHYS 213– Univ Physics, Thermal Physics, and
 
PHYS 214–Univ Physics, Quantum Phys
4 IB 150–Organismal & Evolutionary Biol
4 MCB 150–Molec & Cellular Basis of Life
4 IB 201–Genetics and Evolution
4 IB 202–Structure and Function1
4 IB 203–Ecology
14-18 At least four additional courses at the 200- to 400-level are required, including one course with a laboratory and/or field component. At least one course in each of two of the following three areas must be taken:
  Area I: Organismal and Evolutionary Biology
  Area II: Behavior, Ecology, and the Environment
  Area III: Integrative Anatomy, Physiology, and Molecular Biology
  The third course must be chosen from either the area courses or the approved list of IB courses. The fourth course may be chosen from either the area courses, the approved list of IB courses, or the MCB core courses (lectures only).

1. IB 202 requires animal dissection and no equivalent alternative is available.

Strongly Recommended: Students are encouraged to gain research experience (IB 290). Student may count toward graduation no more than a combined maximum of 10 hours of 290 credit.
Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

All foreign languages must be satisfied.

No more than 11 hours of 100-level IB and MCB courses may count towards graduation (including IB 150 and MCB 150).