Majors and Minor

Majors in Biological Sciences

Students matriculating Fall 2025 or later will choose from 3 different majors in biological sciences: a B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology, a B.S. in Integrative Biology, or a B.A. in Biological Sciences. The department also offers a minor in Biological Sciences.

Students matriculating prior to Fall 2025 may choose one of the new majors or may choose to complete the original B.A. in Molecular and Cellular Biology, B.A. in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, or B.A. degree in Biological Sciences. Click here for details.

Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology

The Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) major is designed for students seeking to develop an in-depth understanding of how living systems function at the molecular and cellular levels. This B.S. degree integrates coursework with an emphasis on independent laboratory research; students completing this degree engage for multiple semesters in faculty-led research projects for course credit.

Bachelor of Science in Integrative Biology

The Integrative Biology (I-Bio) major is designed for students with an interest in the areas of biology that span genomics, ecology, evolutionary biology, comparative genomics, organismal biology, and conservation biology. This B.S. degree integrates coursework with an emphasis on independent laboratory research; students completing this degree engage for multiple semesters in faculty-led research projects for course credit.

Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences

The Biological Sciences (BioSci) major is designed for the student seeking a broad base in the biological sciences. This is a highly flexible, coursework-based major that allows students to specialize, if desired, in upper-level courses. The B.A. degree is appropriate for students wishing to emphasize coursework over laboratory research and may be especially attractive for students seeking to combine a foundational knowledge in biology with other areas of study.

Additional Degree Options

Honors tracks are available for the BA and BS degrees. Students completing Honors carry out a major honors research project, write, and defend an honors thesis.

The department also offers a minor in biological sciences for students majoring in other disciplines.

Double majors: With planning, it is possible to combine a major in biological sciences with an additional major. While it is more common for double majors to consider related fields such as chemistry and mathematics, students have combined biological sciences degrees with such diverse areas as foreign languages, music, and fine arts. Consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies  as early as possible. Double or triple majors entirely within the biological sciences department are not permitted. Students declaring a major offered by the Department of Biological Sciences may not minor in Biological Sciences.

It is strongly recommended that all students take one year of calculus or calculus/statistics, and one year of physics. Students are encouraged to work with their major advisers to choose upper-level courses appropriate to their chosen majors. Courses numbered below 1500 do not count toward the major or minor. Either BSCI 3229 or BSCI 3270, but not both, may count toward a major or minor.

Requirements for the Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) B.S. degree

General requirements:

Two semesters of general chemistry and lab (Chemistry 1601–1602 and 1601L–1602L) and two semesters of organic chemistry (Chemistry 2211/2221–2212/2222) and lab (2221L–2222L).
BSCI 1509

Note: These 19 credit hours do not count toward the major. AP credit may satisfy some of these requirements.

30 credits from BSCI, including the following:

BSCI 1510 (Molecules and Cells) and BSCI 1511 (Organisms and Ecosystems) plus 1510L and 1511L or 1512L
BSCI 2201, BSCI 2210, and BSCI 2520
Research/laboratory requirement (pick one of the two options below)
- 6-11 credit hours of BSCI 3861 and 3961 plus 2201L or 2210L

a minimum of 12 credit hours of BSCI 3861, 3961, and/or 4999

Elective courses at the 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level
- A minimum of 2 credit hours must be at the 4000-level (excluding 4999)
- BSCI 2101 or BSCI 4101 (but not both) can be used to fulfill elective credits

Limitations:

No more than 2 credit hours of 4965 may count toward the major
A total of no more than 7 total credit hours of directed readings or directed/ independent/Honors research (3850, 3860, 3861, 3961, or 4999) may count toward the major

Requirements for the Integrative Biology (I-Bio) B.S. degree

General requirements:

Two semesters of general chemistry and lab (Chemistry 1601–1602 and 1601L–1602L) and two semesters of organic chemistry (Chemistry 2211/2221–2212/2222) and lab (2221L–2222L).
BSCI 1509

Note: These 19 credit hours do not count toward the major. AP credit may satisfy some of these requirements.

30 credits from BSCI, including the following:

BSCI 1510 (Molecules and Cells) and BSCI 1511 (Organisms and Ecosystems) plus 1510L and 1511L or 1512L
BSCI 2105 plus two additional 2000-level courses
Research/laboratory requirement (pick one of the two options below)
- 6-11 credit hours of BSCI 3861 and 3961 plus one laboratory course at the 2000-level (includes laboratory associated with 2119)

a minimum of 12 credit hours of BSCI 3861, 3961, and/or 4999

Elective courses at the 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level
- A minimum of 2 credit hours must be at the 4000-level (excluding 4999)

Limitations:

No more than 2 credit hours of 4965 may count toward the major
A total of no more than 7 total credit hours of directed readings or directed/ independent/Honors research (3850, 3860, 3861, 3961, or 4999) may count toward the major

Requirements for Biological Sciences B.A. degree

General requirements:

Two semesters of general chemistry and lab (Chemistry 1601–1602 and 1601L–1602L) and two semesters of organic chemistry (Chemistry 2211/2221–2212/2222) and lab (2221L–2222L).
BSCI 1509

Note: These 19 credit hours do not count toward the major. AP credit may satisfy some of these requirements.

30 credits from BSCI, including the following:

BSCI 1510 (Molecules and Cells) and BSCI 1511 (Organisms and Ecosystems) plus 1510L and 1511L or 1512L
1 course numbered 2100-2199 (Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology focus)
1 course numbered 2200-2599 (Molecular and Cellular Biology focus)
1 additional 2000-level course
Any 2 laboratory courses at the 2000-level (includes laboratory associated with 2119)
2 credit hours of 4965
At least 3 credit hours (excluding 4965) at the 3000- or 4000-level
Additional elective courses at the 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level

Limitations:

No more than 4 credit hours of 4965 may count toward the major
A total of no more than 5 credit hours of directed readings or directed/independent research (3850, 3860, 3861, or 3961) may count toward the major. Students interested in doing research should consider the BS degree.

Requirements for Honors

Honors is available for students completing the BA or BS degrees, if additional requirements are met as described below. For entry into Honors, students must satisfy the conditions required by the College of Arts and Science for admission to departmental honors programs. Students must have an overall grade point average equal to or greater than 3.3, and a grade point average in courses required for the appropriate major equal to or greater than 3.4 at the time of entry. Applications must be approved by a majority vote of the faculty of the department. To receive honors or highest honors in biological sciences, a student in the departmental Honors Program must:

Complete the requirements for the degree, achieving a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.4 in all courses that count toward the major;
Satisfactorily pursue a research project under the supervision of the adviser with a minimum of 8 credit hours of Honors Research (BSCI 4999) during the last two semesters and a total of 12 or more total credit hours of research.
Give a progress report to the Honors Committee at the end of the first semester of research. This will consist of a short, written progress report to be distributed to the Honors Committee one week before an oral presentation and meeting with the committee. The meeting must be scheduled before the start of finals week;
At the end of the second semester of Honors Research, prepare a thesis based on the research project, to be read and evaluated by the Honors Committee;
Present the thesis orally before the Honors Committee and faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences.
Details regarding the Honors thesis and oral defense are available here: https://as.vanderbilt.edu/biological-sciences/honors-research/

Minor in Biological Sciences

A minor in biological sciences requires a minimum of 18 hours. At least 9 credit hours must be earned in residence at Vanderbilt. Credit hours for the minor must include: BSCI 1510, 1511, 1510L, 2210, either 1511L or 1512L, and at least one additional intermediate (BSCI 2000-level) course. No more than two credit hours of BSCI 3850, 3860, 3861, or 3961 may be counted toward the minor.

Ready to declare a Major or Minor in Biological Sciences?

To initiate the major or minor declaration process, please click HERE.

Need more information?

Current undergraduates can find more detailed information on matters including advising, research courses and immersion, and teaching opportunities, and frequently asked questions under the Resources>Undergraduate Students menu.

Apply to Vanderbilt