Integrative Biology Major

Students interested in biology enter the Biological Sciences Unassigned curriculum.  Freshmen take two lecture-only, one-semester introductory biology courses that expose them to and provide the foundation for advanced work in either Integrative Biology (IB) or Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB).  At the end of the freshman year, students declare either IB or MCB as their major.

Integrative biology is the study of how the different components of life interact, from molecules through global cycles. An Integrative Biology (IB) major prepares students in genetics and evolution, anatomy and physiology of plants and animals, ecology and behavior, and molecular biology. After completion of the core 100 and four 200-300-level core courses in IB, students complete the required additional coursework by either taking a variety of courses or specializing in such areas as health professions, biotechnology, biodiversity and conservation, and environmental sciences. A student works with an advisor to plan this additional coursework.

Requirements for the B.S. degree in Integrative Biology:

  • Courses in Biology, Chemistry, Math & Physics (see grid below)
  • LAS General Education Courses (Gen-Eds): http://www.las.uiuc.edu/students/requirements/genedgrid.html
  • LOTE – Language Other Than English (formerly Foreign Language): http://www.las.uiuc.edu/students/requirements/language.html
  • Composition I:  http://www.las.uiuc.edu/students/requirements/composition1.html
  • Advanced Composition:  http://www.las.uiuc.edu/students/requirements/composition2.html
  • Electives:  courses needed to complete the 120 hours required to graduate.  These can be non-math/science courses.
  • Minimum Hours Required for Graduation: 120 hours.

    • Typical 4 year plan for all IB majors.

    Typical 4 year plan for premed IB majors.

    MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math)

    HOURS

    CATEGORY
    SUBTOTAL

    Supporting Courses:

    		  

    30-36

    MATH 220 (Calculus) or MATH 221 (Calculus I)

    4-5

     

    STAT 100 or MATH 161 (introductory statistics course)

    3

     

    CHEM 102, 103, 104, & 105 (General Chemistry) or
    CHEM 202, 203, 204, & 205 (Accelerated Chemistry)

    8-10

     

    CHEM 232 & 233 (Elementary Organic Chemistry I & Lab) or
    CHEM 236 (Fundamental Organic Chemistry I) & CHEM 237 (Structure and Synthesis)

    5-6

     

    PHYS 101 & 102 (College Physics) or
    PHYS 211, 212, 213, & 214 (University Physics)

    10-12

     

    Introductory Biology Sequence:

    		  

    8

    IB 150 (Organismal & Evolutionary Biology)

    4

     

    MCB 150 (Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life)

    4

     

    IB Core Courses:

     

    16

    IB 202 (Structure and Function)
    (This course requires animal dissection and no completely equivalent alternative is available.)

    4

     

    IB 203 (Ecology)

    4

     

    IB 204 (Genetics)

    4

     

    IB 302 (Evolution)

    4

     

    Additional Courses:

     

    14-18

    At least four additional courses (14-18 hours) at the 200- to 400-level are required,
    as follows:
    At least one course in each of two of the following three areas:
    Area Courses:

    • Area I:  Organismal and Evolutionary Biology
    • Area II: Behavior, Ecology, and the Environment
    • Area III: Integrative Anatomy, Physiology, and Molecular Biology

    One course chosen from either the Area Courses OR the Approved List of Additional Courses OR MCB 240 or MCB 250 OR MCB 252.
    (NOTE:  MCB 240 and MCB 250 and MCB 252 do not count toward the 21 advanced hours required by LAS.)
    One of the four courses selected above must have a laboratory and/or field component.

     

     

    TOTAL

     

    68-78

    Strongly Recommended: Students are encouraged to gain research experience (IB 390 and/or IB 490). Students may count toward graduation no more than a combined maximum of 10 hours of IB 390/IB 490 credit.

    For additional information about graduation requirements for students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please see the College's website on academic programs, or refer to the Program of Study.