Undergraduate Courses - a suggested approach

The following is a common approach to completing the Biology major, although there are also other ways in which to fulfill your major. Contact your advisor or the Biology Education Office at x3-4718 or undergradbio [at] mit.edu for more information. The Biology Department Program Requirements are also available in this brochure, including Course VII Questions and Answers, and a Graduation Checklist. (pdf)

 

Introductory Biology

During the freshman year all students should take an Introduction to Biology course (7.01x: one of 7.012, 7.013, 7.014). The purpose of the Freshman year curriculum is to provide an introduction to the different areas of Biology.

Please note, all Biology classes websites are available on Stellar. See the Biology Stellar home page for links.

 

Core Courses

It's a good idea to take the Core courses in the Department during your sophomore year. 7.03 and/or 7.05 are prerequisites for Restricted Electives. The Core courses are:

• 7.02 Introduction to Experimental Biology
• 7.03 Genetics
• 7.05 General Biochemistry (also see note under Chemistry, below)
• 7.06 Cell Biology

 

Restricted electives

Three undergraduate level 12-unit subjects offered by the Department of Biology for which 7.03 and/or 7.05 are prerequisites. Exceptions: 7.30J is eligible for a restricted elective; 7.19 cannot be used as a restricted elective. Graduate level subjects may not be used as restricted electives. Subjects that count as restricted electives are the following:

• 7.08J, Biological Chemistry II
• 7.20, Human Physiology
• 7.21, Microbial Physiology
• 7.22, Developmental Biology
• 7.23, General Immunology
• 7.24, The Protein Folding Problem
• 7.25, Biological Regulatory Mechanisms
• 7.27, Principles of Human Disease
• 7.28, Molecular Biology
• 7.29J, Cellular Neurobiology
• 7.30J, Fundamentals of Ecology
• 7.31, Current Topics in Mammalian Biology
• 7.35, Topics in Metabolic Biochemistry
• 7.36, Foundations of Computational and Systems Biology
• 7.37J, Molecular and Engineering Aspects of Biotechnology

 

Project Labs

In Project Lab, commonly taken in the junior year, you learn about lab procedures and protocols, and have the opportunity to begin working on fundamental research questions in faculty labs. The Project Labs are:

• 7.13, Experimental Microbial Genetics
• 7.16, Experimental Molecular Biology, Biotechnology II
• 7.17, Experimental Molecular Biology, Biotechnology III
• 7.18, Topics in Experimental Biology

 

Chemistry Courses

There are several Chemistry courses which are part of both the Core requirements and Restricted Electives for a Biology major. Chemistry classes websites are also found on Stellar. Core Chemistry courses are:

• 5.111 or 5.112, Principals of Chemical Science - this course is commonly taken in the Freshman year.
• 5.12, Organic Chemistry
• 5.60, Thermodynamics and Kinetics
• 5.07, Biological Chemistry I (this course may be taken instead of 7.05 - see your advisor)

 

There are many combinations in which these courses may be taken to compete a Biology major. See the Education Office and your advisor to plan your course of action.