Foundational Courses

Introductory Biology

• Bio 151 – Introductory Biology I
  • BIOTAP members take Bio 161H instead of Bio 151.
• Bio 152 – Introductory Biology II
• Bio 153 – Introductory Biology Lab
  • Bio 153 can be taken concurrent with or after Bio 152.

Bio 151, 152, and 153 cannot be replaced by Advanced Placement (AP) Biology credits and are not waived by the BMB department. BMB majors should earn a grade of C or better as a prerequisite for future courses.

General Chemistry

• Chem 111 – General Chemistry for Science Majors I
  • Requires a Math Placement Test score of 20 or above on Part A.
  • Chem AP score of 4 or 5 is accepted as Chem 111 only.
  • Commonwealth Honors College (CHC) students take Chem 121H.
• Chem 112 – General Chemistry for Science Majors II
  • Commonwealth Honors College (CHC) students take Chem 122H.

Students who receive a Chem AP score of 4 or 5 are eligible to take Chem 123H – Accelerated General Chemistry, which covers topics from both Chem 111 and Chem 112. Chem 123H, plus the two associated lab courses (Chem 123LF and Chem 123LS), also fulfills the General Chemistry requirement.

Sections of Chem 111 and Chem 112 that are held over winter session do not count toward our major requirements.

Calculus

• Calc I: Math 127 or Math 131
  • Math 127 requires Math Placement Test score of 20 or above on Part A.
  • Math 131 requires Math Placement Test score of 23 or above on Part A.
• Calc II: Math 128 or Math 132

College Writing

• EnglWrit 112 – College Writing
  • College Writing is required for all first year students.  
  • Commonwealth Honors College (CHC) students take EnglWrit 112H.
  • English Language and Composition AP Score of 4 or 5 is accepted as EnglWrit 112.

General Education (GenEd) Course Requirements

BMB major requirements will fulfill 4 GenEd math and science requirements.

BMB majors must take at least 5 additional GenEd courses (19 credits).

BMB students should periodically check their Academic Requirements Report (ARR) in SPIRE for their progress on GenEd course requirements (please note that these requirements are determined by the University, not the BMB program). Students should direct all GenEd questions to the Records Office, 213 Whitmore; or visit the General Education at UMass website.