The biological sciences at Iowa State University are organized into 20 departments and programs. These can be grouped into the basic sciences, agricultural sciences, and veterinary sciences. Well over 200 faculty consider themselves life scientists and most teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Such a large faculty group provides many opportunities for students to learn from some of the national leaders in biological research and teaching and to participate in exciting, meaningful research projects that explore the frontiers in the life sciences. Few other universities have such a wealth of faculty expertise available to undergraduate students.
Biology is an interdepartmental undergraduate major.
Students majoring in Biology are able to integrate knowledge from several life science disciplines into a coherent, broadly based undergraduate program of study. Students who wish to study specific areas of the basic biological sciences should declare majors in animal ecology , biochemistry , botany , entomology , genetics , microbiology , or zoology . Although requirements for biology and related majors differ significantly, the courses taken during the first two years are similar. In particular, all require freshman biology and chemistry, most require calculus and organic chemistry, and all require credits in general education courses. As a result and with proper planning, a student is able to transfer from one basic biological science major to another without serious difficulty any time during the first two years.