North Central College
Course Planning for the Life Sciences

Transfer students come to North Central with a variety of backgrounds and courses from previous institutions. There is no "one-size-fits-all" plan to complete a North Central degree! The basic plans below merely suggest possible scenarios and may not represent the best educational options for a particular student.

Students are advised to work closely with transfer advisors, academic advisors, and faculty mentors to develop a plan that fits their background, goals, and financial constraints. See the College catalog for course descriptions and pre-requisites.

Check the courses for which you expect to receive transfer credit:

At least one semester of introductory biology
One semester of introductory chemistry
One year of introductory chemistry

Note: These two-year plans show the shortest paths to completing the graduation requirements. They require very heavy loads of rigorous laboratory courses and in some cases taking a pre-requisite course as a co-requisite (e.g., BIOL 210 with BIOL 230). Students entering with credit for one or more 200-level core courses (BIOL 210, 220, or 230), will have a significantly easier time completing the requirements. Students should carefully consider whether the shortest path is the right path for them; spreading out the courses over 2.5 or 3 years allows more time for learning and growth and could in many cases increase student success.

Possible scenarios
BS - Biological Science
YearFallSpring
1 BIOL 195
BIOL 205 (2 cr)
CHEM 121
MATH 151		 BIOL 210
CHEM 122
MATH 152
BIOL 290 (0 cr)
2 BIOL 220
CHEM 251 or PHYS 131
BIOL 390 (2 cr)		 BIOL 230
BIOL 240 (2 cr)
CHEM 252 or PHYS 132
1 BIOL 195
BIOL 205 (2 cr)
BIOL 220
MATH 151
CHEM 251 or PHYS 131
BIOL 390 (2 cr)		 BIOL 210
BIOL 230
BIOL 240 (2 cr)
MATH 152
CHEM 252 or PHYS 132
BIOL 290 (0 cr)
32 300-level BIOL
300-level BIOL
PHYS 131 or CHEM 251
CHEM 310		 BIOL 400 (2 cr)
300-level BIOL
BIOL 490 (1 cr)
PHYS 132 or CHM 252
 
BA - Biology Professions2
YearFallSpring
1 BIOL 195
BIOL 205 (2 cr)
CHEM 121		 BIOL 210
CHEM 122
BIOL 290 (0 cr)
2 BIOL 220
BIOL 390 (2 cr)		 BIOL 230
BIOL 240 (2 cr)
1 BIOL 195
BIOL 205 (2 cr)
BIOL 220
BIOL 390 (2 cr)		 BIOL 210
BIOL 230
BIOL 240 (2 cr)
BIOL 290 (0 cr)
32 300-level BIOL
300-level BIOL		 BIOL 400 (2 cr)
BIOL 490 (1 cr)
 
Biochemistry
YearFallSpring
1 BIOL 195
BIOL 205 (2 cr)
CHEM 121
MATH 151		 BIOL 210
CHEM 122
BIOL 290 (0 cr)3
2 CHEM 251
CHEM 310
BIOL 390 (2 cr)		 CHEM 252
BIOL 230
1 BIOL 195
BIOL 205 (2 cr)
MATH 151
CHEM 251
CHEM 310
BIOL 390 (2 cr)		 CHEM 252
BIOL 210
BIOL 230
BIOL 290 (0 cr)
32 BIOL 360
300-level elective4
300-level elective4
PHYS 131		 BCHM 365
CHEM 341 or 342
300-level elective4
BCHM 400 (2 cr)
BIOL 490 (1 cr)
BS - Biomedical Science
YearFallSpring
1 BIOL 195
BIOL 205 (2 cr)
CHEM 121
MATH 151		 BIOL 210
CHEM 122
BIOL 290 (0 cr)
2 BIOL 220
CHEM 251
BIOL 201
BIOL 390 (2 cr)		 BIOL 230
BIOL 240 (2 cr)
CHEM 252
BIOL 202
1 BIOL 195
BIOL 205 (2 cr)
BIOL 220
CHEM 251
BIOL 201
BIOL 390 (2 cr)		 BIOL 210
BIOL 230
BIOL 240 (2 cr)
CHEM 252
BIOL 202
BIOL 290 (0 cr)
32 300-level BIOL
300-level BIOL
PHYS 131
Enrichment1		 BCHM 365
BIOL 400 (2 cr)
BIOL 490 (1 cr)
PHYS 132
MATH 151
 
BA - Health Professions
YearFallSpring
1 BIOL 195
BIOL 205 (2 cr)
CHEM 121		 BIOL 210
CHEM 122
BIOL 290 (0 cr)
2 BIOL 220
CHEM 251 or PHYS 131
BIOL 201
BIOL 390 (2 cr)		 BIOL 230
BIOL 240 (2 cr)
CHEM 252 or PHYS 132
BIOL 202
1 BIOL 195
BIOL 205 (2 cr)
BIOL 220
CHEM 251 or PHYS 131
BIOL 390 (2 cr)		 BIOL 210
BIOL 230
BIOL 240 (2 cr)
CHEM 252 or PHYS 132
Enrichment1
32 300-level BIOL
300-level BIOL
Enrichment1
BIOL 201		 BIOL 202
BIOL 400 (2 cr)
BIOL 490 (1 cr)

Research experience is required for all BIOL and BCHM majors. BIOL/BCHM 400 has an independent research project as the laboratory, and presenting this project in seminar meets the research requirement. Students interested in research careers are encouraged to do summer research or independent study or to investigate additional research opportunities.

Notes:

1One of PHIL 213, SOAR 251, KINE 230, or KINE 300.

2The BA - Biology Professions track requires a second major. Only the required Biology courses and support courses are shown.

3Biochemistry majors may choose between BIOL 290-390-490 and CHEM 391-392-493 to fulfill their seminar requirement.

4Not required for the BA degree in Biochemistry.