Honors Concentration in the Integrative Biology Major

...small classes with outstanding faculty
...cohesive group of students in a focused curriculum
...open-ended investigation in the lab and field
...an honors program, not just an honors section


The Honors Option in the Integrative Biology major is a complete curriculum – designed to offer outstanding, highly motivated students the chance to experience all that biology has to offer at the University of Illinois.

With enrollment limited to 25-30 students per year and all classes and labs taught by outstanding professors, students are virtually assured the daily interactions with faculty that are critical to developing scientific techniques, critical thinking, and communication skills. Each year, participation in open-ended laboratory and field courses fosters cohesiveness among all the students in the program, creating a mutual support system unique among biology majors.

Three, semester-long core honors courses have one over-arching theme, the integration of biology at multiple levels of organization, from cells and molecules, to organisms, to ecosystems. Supplemented with a strong background in chemistry, the physical sciences, mathematics and statistics, and Independent Study research experiences, IB Honors students are among the best prepared students at the University, whether their career goals be professional schools (Medical, Veterinary, Dental or others), research, conservation, or industry.

Admission to the Concentration
Admission to IB Honors occurs in the Spring semester of the Freshman year. Informational meetings will be held in mid-February. Students desiring the Honors Experience are interviewed individually, and notified of acceptance well in advance of pre-registration for the Fall semester.

To be accepted, students must have a 3.0 GPA by the end of their second semester, show evidence of success in math and science courses, and have a strong interest in biology. General chemistry should be completed before beginning IB Honors courses.

For Additional Information
Email
Call the School of Integrative Biology at 217-333-3044
or explore the IB Honors web sites at:
www.life.uiuc.edu/sib/honors.htm
www.life.uiuc.edu/ibhonors

Degree title: Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Minimum required courses normally equate to 83-85 hours including 25 hours of 300- and 400-level courses.
Core sequence courses (IB 270, 271 and 372) are approved for James Scholar credit.
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
Departmental distinction: In addition to the above requirements, candidates for distinction must: (1) consult with an IB Honors adviser no later than the beginning of their junior year; (2) complete an undergraduate research project, and (3) present an acceptable written report on the research to the Integrative Biology Distinction Committee about a month prior to graduation.
HOURS REQUIREMENTS1
4 IB 150 – Organismal & Evolutionary Biol
4 MCB 150 –Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life
5 IB 270 – Evolution of Molecules and Cells--the major evolutionary transitions of biomolecules and cells, including energy acquisition and metabolism; information inheritance, system regulation, and genomes; the origin of life, the prokaryotic cell, eukaryotic cell, and multicellularity. Lecture and lab.
5 IB 271 – Organismal Biology--integrated study of the diversity and structure and function of plants and animals in evolutionary and environmental contexts. Conceptual themes and techniques of molecular and cellular levels of biological organization will be integrated as well.  Lecture and lab.
5 IB 372 – Ecology and Evolution2--integrated study of ecology, population genetics, and evolution. Conceptual themes and techniques from the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels of biology will be integrated as well. Lecture, Lab, and field work.
11-12

 		 MATH 220 or 221 – Calculus I, and
MATH 231 – Calculus II, and
MATH 241 – Calculus III
14-16 Select ONE group of courses:3
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, and
CHEM 236 – Fundamental Organic Chem I, and
CHEM 237 – Structure and Synthesis

or

 CHEM 1023 – General Chemistry I,
CHEM 103 – General Chemistry Lab I, and
CHEM 104 – General Chemistry II
CHEM 105 – General Chemistry Lab II, and
CHEM 236 – Fundamental Organic Chem I, and
CHEM 237 – Structure and Synthesis
3 MCB 450 – Introductory Biochemistry, and
4 BIOC 455 – Technqs Biochem & Biotech
4 PHYS 211 – Univ Physics, Mechanics
4 PHYS 212 – Univ Physics, Elec & Mag
3 An approved 300- or 400-level course in statistics4
6 IB 490 – Independent Research (2 semesters)
10 300- or 400-level courses in the biological sciences
Twelve hours advanced-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus. All foreign language requirements must be satisfied. No more than 8 hours of credit in 100-level courses in SIB or SMCB may be counted toward graduation.
Students may count toward graduation no more than a combined maximum of 10 hours of IB 390 and IB 490 credit offered for independent study. Substitutions or other changes in the requirements given above may be made only by petition to and approval of the director of the Integrative Biology Honors program.

1Students must consult with their integrative biology honors adviser at least once each semester.
2Continuation in the integrative biology honors option requires a grade of B or better in each of IB 270, 271, and 372 and a 3.0 GPA.
3The first sequence is recommended, and preference will be given on admission to students following it. Introductory chemistry should be completed prior to enrolling in IB 270.
4MATH 461/STAT 451 or STAT 400 are recommended, as is additional training in statistics. Suitable courses for those taking more than one course are CPSC 440 and MATH 464/STAT 410.