Biology

Bachelor's Degrees in Biology

The Department of Biology offers two bachelor's degrees:

• The Bachelor of Arts degree provides students with a general background in biology and provides flexibility with fewer requirements for quantitative and physical science courses.
• The Bachelor of Science degree is an intensive biology option that provides students with a strong background in several areas of biology and is recommended for students pursuing a career in research.

Details of the requirements for each degree are available through the University Bulletin.

Core biology courses are taken by students pursuing either the BA or the BS.  BIOL 14, 15 and 16 can be taken in any order:

• Cells and Organisms, BIOL 15b (typically offered every semester)
• Genetics and Genomics, BIOL 14a (typically offered every semester)
• Evolution and Biodiversity, BIOL 16a (typically offered every fall)
• General Biology Laboratory, BIOL 18b (offered in the fall, after taking BIOL 15b)
• General Biology Laboratory, BIOL 18a (offered in the spring, after taking BIOL 18b and BIOL 14a)

Required chemistry courses are taken by students pursuing either the BA or the BS.

• General Chemistry I and II, CHEM 11a and 11b or CHEM 15a and 15b
• General Chemistry Laboratory I and II, CHEM 18a and 18b or CHEM 19a and 19b
• Organic Chemistry I and II, CHEM 25a and 25b
• Organic Chemistry Laboratory I and II, CHEM 29a and 29b

Biology electives: A full list of courses in this group can be found in the University Bulletin.

• Bachelor of Arts requires 12 credits of biology electives (three 4-credit courses)
• Bachelor of Science requires 16 credits of biology electives (four 4-credit courses)

General science or biology electives: A full list of courses in this group can be found in the University Bulletin.

• Two additional electives from biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, math, or physics are required for either Bachelor's degree (for a total of five elective courses for the BA, or six for the BS).

Quantitative electives: A full list of courses in this group can be found in the University Bulletin.

• Bachelor of Arts requires one quantitative elective.
• Bachelor of Science requires two quantitative electives.

Physics is required for students pursuing the BS, but not for those pursuing the BA.

• PHYS 10a and 10b or PHYS 11a and 11b or PHYS 15a and 15b
• Physics lab: PHYS 18a and 18b or PHYS 19a and 19b

• A completed Common Application.
• $80 application fee (or fee waiver).
• Official copies of all high school transcripts and/or GED certificate and/or marks from any externally graded national exams. (If the original documents are not in English, please submit both original documents and English translations.) This should include transcripts for courses taken for credit outside your high school. Transcripts must include official grades from all years of secondary school.
• A school report and a letter of recommendation from a secondary school official.
• High School Senior Grades: Send your senior midyear grades as soon as they become available. We understand this may not be until late January or early February for some students, though we encourage you to send them as soon as possible. For Early Decision applicants, submit first marking period grades, which may be first quarter or first trimester grades.
• A letter of recommendation from a teacher who has instructed you in a core academic course (math, science, history, foreign language or English). (Homeschooled students and those applying for the Myra Kraft Transitional Year Program, see the tabs below for more details.)
• Optional standardized test scores: Learn more about our test-optional policy.
• A completed Early Decision Agreement Form (pdf). If you're applying for Early Decision I or Early Decision II.

Additional Materials and Information

• English Proficiency: If you're an international student for whom English is not your native language, you should submit results of an English proficiency exam. You have the choice of submitting scores from one of the following exams. Scanned copies of the TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge Assessment exams are accepted; Duolingo (DET) scores must be submitted directly from the testing agency.
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) 
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 
  • Duolingo English Test (DET) 
  • Cambridge Assessment English Qualifications (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency)
  • If you have spent four or more years attending a high school where the full academic curriculum is in English, you are exempt from this requirement, and may submit a request for a waiver in your DEISconnect portal after applying.
  • If you're applying directly from a United World College (UWC) campus, you are also exempt from this requirement.
• Financial documentation:
  • If you are not applying for financial aid, you must submit:
    • The Certification of Finances for International Students through your DEISconnect portal.
    • Supporting financial documentation demonstrating the funds that the family will contribute to your education for the first year of study. Examples are statements of earnings from employers, certification of finances from banks or other financial institutions, or tax returns if available.
  • If you are applying for financial aid, you must submit:
    • A completed CSS Profile.
    • Supporting financial documentation demonstrating the funds that the family can contribute to your education for the first year of study. Examples are statements of earnings from employers, certification of finances from banks or other financial institutions, or tax returns if available.
• Additional recommendations:
  • Visits: We encourage you to participate in a virtual visit and, if possible, schedule an interview with an admissions representative.
  • Third-party interviews: Interviews through services like InitialView or Vericant are also encouraged. Deadlines are as follows:
    • Early Decision I : Record and submit by November 15.
    • Early Decision II / Regular Decision: Record and submit by January 15.

Your roadmap to a complete application.

Applying to Brandeis as a first-year student? Below, you'll find everything you need to include in your application.

In addition to the core first-year applicant materials list, be sure to check out the additional guides below for more info, advice and supplementary information! And remember, we're always here to help.