Biological Sciences, BSGS
Curriculum
The bachelor's degree requirements are 45 units total and include distribution, writing, and elective courses, and the major requirements.
Biological Sciences Major Requirements
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| BIOL_SCI 201-CN | Molecular Biology |
| BIOL_SCI 202-CN | Cell Biology 1 |
| BIOL_SCI 203-CN | Genetics and Evolution |
| BIOL_SCI 232-CN | Molecular and Cellular Processes Laboratory |
| BIOL_SCI 233-CN | Genetics and Molecular Processes Laboratory |
| BIOL_SCI 234-CN | Investigative Laboratory |
| BIOL_SCI 308-CN | Biochemistry 2 |
| BIOL_SCI 342-CN | Evolutionary Processes |
| CHEM 110-CN | Quantitative Problem Solving in Chemistry |
| CHEM 131-CN & CHEM 141-CN | Fundamentals of Chemistry I and Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory I |
| CHEM 132-CN & CHEM 142-CN | Fundamentals of Chemistry II and Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory II |
| CHEM 215-A & CHEM 235-A | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Lab I |
| CHEM 215-B & CHEM 235-B | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Lab II |
| MATH 220-A | Single-Variable Differential Calculus 3 |
| MATH 220-B | Single-Variable Integral Calculus 4 |
| PHYSICS 130-A & PHYSICS 131-A | College Physics I and Physics Laboratory I |
| PHYSICS 130-B & PHYSICS 131-B | College Physics II and Physics Laboratory II |
| PHYSICS 130-C & PHYSICS 131-C | College Physics III and Physics Laboratory III |
| STAT 202-CN | Introduction to Statistics and Data Science |
| Plus four courses selected from the following: | |
| Fundamentals of Neurobiology | |
| The Evolutionary Biology of Human Anatomy, Health and Disease | |
| Human Anatomy | |
| Advanced Cell Biology | |
| Human Structure and Function | |
| Advanced Human Physiology | |
| Biology of Aging | |
| Microbiology | |
| Immunobiology | |
300-level biological anthropology course 5 | |
- 1
Formerly BIOL_SCI 216-CN Cell Biology or BIOL_SCI 219-CN Cell Biology
- 2
Formerly BIOL_SCI 218-CN Biochemistry
- 3
As of Fall 2019; formerly MATH 220-CN
- 4
As of Fall 2019; formerly MATH 224-CN
- 5
A maximum of one anthropology course can be applied toward this requirement
Degree Requirements
SPS programs lead to one of three Northwestern University bachelor’s degrees: the bachelor of philosophy (BPhil), the bachelor of science in general studies (BSGS), and the bachelor of philosophy in communication (BPhilCom), which is conferred by the School of Communication.
The bachelor of philosophy (BPhil) and the bachelor of science in general studies (BSGS) degrees are conferred by the Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. The primary difference between the two degrees is that the BPhil includes a language requirement. Some majors offer a choice of the BPhil or the BSGS degree.
Bachelor of Science in General Studies
To earn the BSGS degree, students must complete 45 units, including a writing requirement, distribution requirements, a major, and electives. Minors are optional.
| Courses | Units Earned |
|---|---|
| English 111 or 205 and 113 | 2 |
| Humanities | 4 |
| Science | 4 |
| Social Sciences | 4 |
| Major Requirements | 10-20 |
| Electives | Up to 21 |
| Total | 45 |
About the Writing Requirement
The writing requirement ensures that students have the skills necessary to meet the rigorous writing demands of subsequent SPS courses in all majors and disciplines. The expository writing courses provide the tools to meet the demands of advanced academic writing; the courses may not be audited or taken on a pass/no credit basis.
Transfer and performance-based admission students must fulfill the writing requirement through one of two options:
Option 1: Complete an English composition course at SPS.
Demonstrate successful completion of English 111 or 205. A grade of C or higher is required.
Option 2: Successfully appeal the writing requirement via the Student Affairs Petition Form.
Students who believe they have the writing skills necessary for university-level research and analytical papers may appeal the SPS writing requirement.
A successful appeal does not result in credit for the writing course. Students must complete another course in its place according to the needs and guidelines of their program. Writing will be evaluated for standards of good expository writing, including: a fully developed thesis; sound logic and adequate evidence in support of the thesis; effective organization, coherent structure and an overall unity; correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Appeal materials must be submitted by the quarter deadline before entry.
About the Distribution Requirements
Students complete course work in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences to obtain a broad experience in the liberal arts. Courses that satisfy these distribution requirements include the following areas:
Humanities
Art history, classics, comparative literary studies, English literature, languages other than English (up to two units), history, music history, philosophy, religion, and some courses in African American studies, languages with literature, gender studies, performance studies, radio/television/film, and theatre.
Sciences
Astronomy, biological sciences, chemistry, earth and planetary sciences, engineering, geography, information systems, mathematics, physics and some courses in anthropology, communication sciences and disorders, psychology, radio/television/film, and statistics.
Social Sciences
Anthropology, economics, history, linguistics, political science, sociology, and some courses in African American studies, communication sciences and disorders, gender studies, psychology, and statistics.