Undergraduate Program
Biological Sciences Major
The biological sciences major offers concentrations in: BCMB; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Microbiology; and Plant Biology (please contact Dr. Ed Schilling – eschilling@utk.edu - for information regarding the Plant Biology concentration). Honors options are available in all concentrations.
Required Courses for All Concentrations
Chemistry 120-130; Physics 221-222; Mathematics 141-142 or 151-152; Biology 130 or Biology 111 and 112 ; Biology 140-240-250.
(For more information regarding general biology classes, please visit the General Biology web page).
Declaring Biological Sciences as a Major/Progression Requirements
To declare biology as a major, CHEM 120 – CHEM 130 and BIOL 111 – BIOL 112 or BIOL 130 must be completed with a minimum grade of C. Students wishing to declare a major in biological sciences will be assigned a faculty advisor in one of the biological sciences departments in consultation with the student. This is done by visiting Dr. James Caponetti (410 Hesler Biology Building, 865-974-0365 or jcaponet@utk.edu). Declaration of a biological sciences major should occur as soon as the student decides on this course of study, but not later than three semesters before the expected graduation date in order to ensure that requirements can be met in a timely manner.
General Biology FAQs
1. Where are the General Biology offices located?
128 Neyland Biology Annex houses the General Biology labs (101, 102, 130, 140, 240) and is also the office responsible for adding, dropping or changing lab sections for General Biology classes. For questions regarding General Biology class schedules, contact Dr. Randy Brewton (974-6225, rbrewton@utk.edu).
410 Hesler is the office of the Biology Advising Coordinator,
Dr. James Caponetti (974-0365, jcaponet@utk.edu). Anyone wanting
to declare a major in biological sciences (whether your intended concentration
is in BCMB, Microbiology, EEB or Plant Biology) should come to this office.
Also, Dr. Caponetti can answer questions about the biology curriculum,
including questions regarding transfer credits and substitutions.
402 Hesler is the Division of Biology office (974-6841, biology@utk.edu). The Director of Biology Teaching and Learning, Dr. Elisabeth Schussler, is located in this office and is responsible for the General Biology program. Please contact this office for information regarding Biology 111 and 112 and for information not listed in these FAQs.
2. When can I declare Biology as my major?
To declare biology as a major, CHEM 120 – CHEM 130 and BIOL 111 – BIOL 112 or BIOL 130 must be completed with a minimum grade of C. When these requirements have been fulfilled, contact Dr. Caponetti (974-0365, jcaponet@utk.edu) to declare your major. He will also assign you a departmental advisor at that time.
3. I’m not eligible to declare my major yet, but I would still like to speak to a biology advisor. Who should I call?
Undergraduates who are not eligible to declare their major are advised in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) Advising office (974-4481); however, you may contact Dr. Caponetti (974-0365, jcaponet@utk.edu) with questions regarding the biological sciences curriculum.
4. Who can help me with pre-med (pre-health) advising?
Pre-health advising is done through A&S Advising.
5. Which concentration should I choose – Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology (BCMB), Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), Microbiology, or Plant Biology?
If you are unsure of which concentration you should choose, please refer to the following majors’ guides found on the A&S Advising web page:
If you’re still unsure after reading the majors’ guides or if you have more questions, contact Dr. Caponetti (974-0365, jcaponet@utk.edu).
6. Where can I find a general description and sample curriculum for each concentration?
The majors’ guides listed in question number 5 include a general description and sample curricula for each concentration (scroll to bottom of the majors’ guide to see the sample curriculum).
Click here to see all A&S Majors Guides.
7. Where can I find course descriptions?
All course descriptions are located in the undergraduate catalog.
8. How do I find out what classes are being offered each semester?
Go to the Timetable of Classes.
Biology 101 is offered every fall and summer and Biology 102 is offered every spring and summer. Biology 111 is offered every fall and Biology 112 is offered every spring. Biology 130, 140, 240 and 250 are offered every semester (fall, spring, and summer).
9. Where can I find a copy of my syllabus?
Syllabi for General Biology courses can be found on the General Biology web page.
10. Who do I need to contact for information regarding adding, dropping or changing to a different section of a General Biology course?
Contact Dr. Randy Brewton (974-6225, rbrewton@utk.edu) for information regarding adding or changing a section. Because enrollment is limited to the number of lab spaces available in each section, do not drop a section if the section you want is closed. If a section is closed, it means all lab spaces for that section are filled.
For drops, contact your instructor to sign your drop form.
11. I’m having problems contacting my instructor/TA. What should I do?
If their contact information is not listed on the course syllabus, contact the Division of Biology office at 974-6841.
12. If I pass my lab but fail the lecture, do I have to take the whole class over?
Yes.
13. Is there a quiet place to study on the Hill?
The Biology Majors Study Room is located in 417 Hesler. There are four computers and a printer in this room (you must provide your own paper). The hours for the room are 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, Monday – Friday. This room is a place for quiet study. You can reserve the room after 5:00 pm for study groups.
14. My study group needs a place to study. Where can we go?
See question 13.
15. Are there any computers available for biology majors?
Yes, in the study room (see question 13).
16. Who do I contact if I need a tutor?
General Biology does not have its own tutorial center. Private tutors may be available. Contact the Division of Biology at 974-6841 for more information. There is a supplemental instruction program for Biology 101 and 102 – ask your instructor whether there is an SI leader associated with your section.
17. Who do I contact if I would like to be a tutor?
Please call the Division of Biology if you are interested in being a Biology tutor, 974-6841.
18. Do we have labs the first week of classes?
Not usually, but be sure to check the course comments in the timetable for the course in question.
19. Do you have to take Bio 101 and Bio 102 in sequence? Bio 130 and Bio 140? Bio 240 and Bio 250?
Although not required, it is strongly recommended that 101 and 102 be taken in sequence and the same for Bio 111 and Bio 112. Bio 130 and Bio 140 may be taken out of sequence, although they are typically taken in sequence. Bio 240 and Bio 250 may be taken out of sequence. Always check pre-requisites for any course you’d like to take in the future to plan your coursework appropriately.
20. I am transferring from a community college. What courses can I transfer for a biology major, and what courses should I take at UTK?
For information regarding transfer and articulation, please refer to the following links on the Registrar’s web page:
For courses required for a BS degree in biological sciences, please refer to the Majors Guide links listed in question 5 (scroll to the bottom to see the sample curriculum for that concentration).
Click here for A&S undergraduate BA and BS requirements.
A new pre-major articulation for all institutions in the state will go into effect in Fall 2011. For transfer to UTK, science courses that need to be completed include:
- Introductory Biology sequence (equivalent to Biology 130)
- Calculus I and Calculus II
- Introductory Chemistry I and II (equivalent to Chemistry 120 and 130)
- One semester of Organic Chemistry (equivalent to Chemistry 350)
- Either: Cell Biology + lab or Genetics + lab
21. If I’m unable to take core biology courses in the recommended sequence, will I still be able to graduate in four years?
Because the capacity for general biology sections is set by the number of lab spaces available, once a section is closed, no more students can be added. Students can be wait-listed in case space becomes available. You can still graduate on time if you take other graduation / degree requirements, such as chemistry, calculus, foreign language, or other general education courses required for a degree in Arts and Sciences. For help in selecting alternatives, click here.
Freshmen - you will be able to participate in advance registration during fall semester for the following spring semester, and during the spring semester, you will be able to register for classes for the following fall semester. You will be registering ahead of incoming freshmen so there is a better chance you will be able to get the classes you need. If you have tried for two sequential semesters to register for a course and haven’t been able to get in, please see Dr. Caponetti to determine the next course of action (see #2 for contact info).
For More Information
For more information about specific undergraduate programs, please choose one of the programs below:
Major Guides
Contact Information
Division of Biology
1406 Circle Dr.
402 Hesler
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-0830
Phone: (865) 974-6841
Fax: (865) 974-4057
Email: biology@utk.edu