Biological Sciences (Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior), BS

A new approach to teaching biology

As a biology student at Arizona State University, you are part of a new movement to reinvent science learning, designed to prioritize your needs and empower you to not only succeed but be transformed into a future leader and problem solver.

ASU’s adaptive and flexible teaching model levels the playing field for all learners, allowing anyone to understand complex concepts and gain the confidence to take on scientific challenges in a growing field. 

Here, you will apply biological models through immersive exploration and hands-on discovery. Explore a 24,000-square-foot Natural History Collection, the only insectary of its kind in Arizona and several research opportunities for online students, which set our programs apart from other institutions across the globe. Together, we’ll learn how to visualize and build a better world.

Major concentration courses

• BIO 331 Animal Behavior (3)
• BIO 360 Animal Physiology (3)
• BCH 361 Principles of Biochemistry (3) or BCH 461 General Biochemistry (3)

Major core electives (complete two of the following)

• BIO 436 Sociobiology and Behavioral Ecology (3)
• BIO 461 Comparative Animal Physiology (3)
• BIO 462 Endocrine Physiology (3)
• BIO 467 Neurobiology (3)
• BIO/MIC 420 Immunology: Cellular and Molecular Foundations (3)

Major comparative structure and function courses (complete one of the following)

• BIO 351 Developmental Biology (3)
• BIO 370 Vertebrate Zoology (4)
• BIO 385 Comparative Invertebrate Zoology (4)
• PSY 426 Neuroanatomy (4)

Please see an advisor if courses are not offered in the term you wish to take them

Major laboratory/research courses (complete one of the following)

• BCH 367 Elementary Biochemistry Laboratory (1)
• BCH 467 Analytical Biochemistry Laboratory (3)
• BIO 308 Plant Physiology (4)
• BIO 342 General Genetics Laboratory (2)
• BIO/MBB 343 Genetic Engineering and Society (4)
• BIO 352 Laboratory in Vertebrate Developmental Anatomy (2)
• BIO 361 Animal Physiology Laboratory (2)
• BIO 435 Research Techniques in Animal Behavior (3)
• BIO 451 Cell Biotechnology Laboratory (4)
• MIC 421 Experimental Immunology (2)
• BIO/HPS/MIC/MBB 495 Undergraduate Research or BIO/HPS/MIC/MBB 484 Internship or BIO/MIC/MBB 492 Honors Directed Study may be substituted for one lab course (1-3)

Major electives

Any SOLS upper division coursework (300 and 400 level BIO/HPS/MIC/MBB) will count in this area, including BCH 361, that has not already been used in the major area.

Requirements in related fields 

General chemistry 

• CHM 113 General Chemistry I (4)
• CHM 116 General Chemistry II (4)

Organic Chemistry (take general or pre-health sequence)

• CHM 231 Elementary Organic Chemistry  (3)
• CHM 235 Elementary Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1)

OR pre-health sequence

• CHM 233 General Organic Chemistry I (3)
• CHM 234 General Organic Chemistry II (3)
• CHM 237 General Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1)
• CHM 238 General Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1)

Physics (take general or pre-health sequence)

• PHY 101 Introduction to Physics  (4)

OR pre-health sequence

• PHY 111 General Physics I (3)
• PHY 112 General Physics II (3)
• PHY 113 General Physics Laboratory I (1)
• PHY 114 General Physics Laboratory II (1)

Math (complete one of the following)

• MAT 251 Calculus for Life Sciences (3)
• MAT 210 Brief Calculus (3)

Statistics (complete one of the following)

• STP 231 Statistics for Biosciences (3) 
• STP 226 Elementary Statistics (3)

For more information on requirements and recommendations specific to this degree please see our Did you know for on-campus degrees page.