![[North Central College]](images/nccsmall.gif){kind=small}
How do you build the curriculum into an actual class schedule? Below is a general planning guide to get you started. Then, use the tabs to explore sample four-year plans for different tracks and career goals.
You can find the graduation requirements for Biology and Biochemistry majors on our curriculum page, and detailed information and course descriptions in the College catalog. Remember that your plan should be designed based on your interests and future goals. You should discuss your plans with your academic advisor and with a faculty mentor.
| Core Courses |
Year 1: |
|
|
| Year 2: |
|
||
| Advanced Courses |
Year 3: |
|
|
| Year 4: |
|
||
Notes:
1Students who plan to go directly to medical school or another program requiring biochemistry should take organic chemistry and not physics in year 2.
2Students planning for professional schools that require biochemistry should take BCHM 365 in year 3.
3Biochemistry majors should take Molecular Biology of Cancer (BIOL 360) in year 3 if possible
Tailor your advanced courses to the career you are preparing for: design a plan that will build a deep and rigorous understanding of the areas most important to you. Be sure your 300-level choices also match your desired BIOL 400 research area. Below are some general suggestions; talk with a faculty mentor to help you choose.
| Molecular Biology & Genetics | Ecology & Evolution | Organismal Biology | Health Careers | Environment & Conservation | Animal Biology | Plant Biology | Micro- biology |
| BIOL 320 BIOL 360 BIOL 370 BCHM 365 |
BIOL 310 BIOL 320 BIOL 325 BIOL 330 BIOL 340 BIOL 350 |
BIOL 310 BIOL 315 BIOL 320 BIOL 340 BIOL 370 |
BIOL 315 BIOL 340 BIOL 360 BIOL 370 BCHM 365 |
BIOL 310 BIOL 320 BIOL 325 BIOL 330 BIOL 350 |
BIOL 310 BIOL 315 BIOL 330 BIOL 340 BIOL 370 |
BIOL 320 BIOL 325 BIOL 330 BIOL 350 |
BIOL 340 BIOL 360 |
Understanding how research is done is vital to any life-science career. Research experience is a graduation requirement for all Biology and Biochemistry majors. The Capstone Studies in Biological Sciences course (BIOL 400) has an independent research project as its laboratory, and presenting this project in seminar meets the research requirement. BIOL 400 is offered each semester, and the different lab sections have different research topics led by different faculty. Students should choose the lab topic that most closely matches their interests. Students interested in research careers are encouraged to also do summer research or independent study or to investigate additional research opportunities.
The program for a transfer student depends on what courses have been taken at another college and how long the student will be able to study at North Central. The guide below is very general and won't fit every situation. Additional possibilies are shown on the Transfer Students tab, but you should talk over your plans carefully with a faculty mentor as well as an academic advisor.
| Core Courses |
|
|
| Advanced Courses |
|
Notes:
1BIOL 210 and BIOL 230 may be taken concurrently, with the permission of the BIOL 230 instructor.
2BIOL 205 and BIOL 220 may be taken concurrently.
3Students preparing for medical school or other programs requiring biochemistry should take organic chemistry rather than physics this year.
Tailor your advanced courses to the career you are preparing for: design a plan that will build a deep and rigorous understanding of the areas most important to you. Be sure your 300-level choices also match your desired BIOL 400 research area. Below are some general suggestions; talk with a faculty mentor to help you choose.
| Molecular Biology & Genetics | Ecology & Evolution | Organismal Biology | Health Careers | Environment & Conservation | Animal Biology | Plant Biology | Micro- biology |
| BIOL 320 BIOL 360 BIOL 370 BCHM 365 |
BIOL 310 BIOL 320 BIOL 325 BIOL 330 BIOL 340 BIOL 350 |
BIOL 310 BIOL 315 BIOL 320 BIOL 340 BIOL 370 |
BIOL 315 BIOL 340 BIOL 360 BIOL 370 BCHM 365 |
BIOL 310 BIOL 320 BIOL 325 BIOL 330 BIOL 350 |
BIOL 310 BIOL 315 BIOL 330 BIOL 340 BIOL 370 |
BIOL 320 BIOL 325 BIOL 330 BIOL 350 |
BIOL 340 BIOL 360 |
Understanding how research is done is vital to any life-science career. Research experience is a graduation requirement for all Biology and Biochemistry majors. The Capstone Studies in Biological Sciences course (BIOL 400) has an independent research project as its laboratory, and presenting this project in seminar meets the research requirement. BIOL 400 is offered each semester, and the different lab sections have different research topics led by different faculty. Students should choose the lab topic that most closely matches their interests. Students interested in research careers are encouraged to also do summer research or independent study or to investigate additional research opportunities.