Updated Curriculum in Biological Sciences

Beginning in Fall 2026, the Biological Sciences Department will launch an updated curriculum and major that maintains a strong foundation in biology while offering students additional flexibility in how they explore the discipline.

Students entering in Fall 2026 and beyond will complete one semester of Introductory Biology (BIOL-145 or BIOL-160), followed by four 200-level core courses spanning major areas of the discipline—including new courses in plant biology and microbiology!—before exploring advanced topics through electives.

Importantly, the total number of courses, labs, and credits required for the current and new majors remains the same. (See Current and New Biological Sciences Major infographics below.)

What does this mean for current students?

• Students who have taken BIOL-200 (last offering in Spring 2026) will continue to follow current major requirements.

• Students who have not yet taken BIOL-200 (with some exceptions, see FAQ at the bottom of this page) will switch to the new major requirements. 

Finally, we want to take a moment to recognize BIOL-200, a signature course in the Biology curriculum at Mount Holyoke for decades. We are grateful for the role it has played in shaping our students’ development as biologists throughout that time. Special thanks to Professor Emeritus Rachel Fink and Professor Amy Frary for their many years of inspiring and dedicated teaching in this course.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

We will update this section as we receive and answer questions. If you don't see your question answered here, please contact Amy Camp (acamp@mtholyoke.edu), Chair of Biological Sciences.

Q:  I already took (or am currently taking) BIOL-200. What should I do?

A:  You should continue to follow the current major requirements.

Q:  I have not taken BIOL-200. What should I do?

A:  Most likely, you should switch to the new major requirements (see next question for a possible exception).

Q:  I did not take BIOL-200 because I placed out with AP Biology credits. What should I do?

A:  In our current major, AP Biology credits can be used to place out of either introductory biology semester (e.g. BIOL-145/160 or BIOL-200). If you took BIOL-145/160 (or NEURO-100) and opted to place out of BIOL-200, you can proceed with the current major as planned. But keep in mind that both the current and new majors require 32 credits in Biological Sciences, so you will need to take an additional 4-credit BIOL course.

Q:  If I haven't taken BIOL-200, how will I get into courses that require BIOL-200 as a prerequisite?

A:  All 200-level core courses are being updated to accept BIOL-145 or BIOL-160 or BIOL-200 as prerequisites. Note that some 200-level core courses also require chemistry or math/stats prerequisites.

Q:  If I am following the current major, can I still take the new 200-level core courses in Plant Biology (BIOL-224) or Microbiology (BIOL-227)?

A: Yes. These courses can count in a few ways toward the current major. Plant Biology could count as your "one additional 200-level core course" requirement or as your "200- or 300-level elective" requirement. Microbiology could also be counted in either of these ways, or could count as your required "cell/molec" 200-level core course (as an alternative to BIOL-210 or BIOL-220).

Q:  Is BIOL-227 Microbiology replacing BIOL-327 Microbiology?

A:  Yes. BIOL-327 Microbiology is currently in its final offering, and will join the 200-level core (as BIOL-227) in Spring 2027.

Q:  I've been planning to take BIOL-327 Microbiology as a 300-level elective with lab, and now won't be able to complete my major requirements. What should I do?

A: Please contact Amy Camp (acamp@mtholyoke.edu) if you are affected by this and we will find a solution.

Q:  Does NEURO-100 no longer count toward the new Biological Sciences major?

A: In the current major, Introductory Biology is a two-semester sequence and NEURO-100 can count as one part of that sequence (in place of BIOL-145 or BIOL-160), with BIOL-200 completing the requirement. In the new major, Introductory Biology is a single-semester (BIOL-145 or BIOL-160), for which NEURO-100 will no longer substitute.

Q:  I am planning to be a Neuroscience & Behavior (NSB) major and have taken NEURO-100 but not BIOL-200. Do I now need to take BIOL-145 or BIOL-160 to be able to take the other Biology courses I need for the NSB major?

A: Even though NEURO-100 cannot count toward the Biological Sciences major under the new requirements, it can still be used (along with the required chemistry) as a prerequisite for BIOL-210 Molecular Genetics and BIOL-220 Cell Biology. After completing BIOL-210 or BIOL-220, you will be able to take other Biology courses that require one of these as a prerequisite.

Q:  I took NEURO-100 and was planning to be an NSB major, but now I'm considering switching to the Biology major. What should I do?

A: You have a couple options. First, you can take BIOL-145 or BIOL-160 to complete the Intro Bio requirement for the new major. Alternatively, you may be advised to take an additional 200-level core course in the ecology/evolution or organismal biology bins as a  substitute for BIOL-145, depending on your other coursework and timing. We recommend meeting with the Biological Sciences Chair (Amy Camp acamp@mtholyoke.edu) to determine the best path for you.

Q:  Can I place out of Introductory Biology with AP Biology credits?

A: In the current major, Introductory Biology is a two-semester sequence and AP Biology credits can replace either the first semester (BIOL-145 or BIOL-160) or the second semester (BIOL-200). In the new major, Introductory Biology is a single-semester (BIOL-145 or BIOL-160), for which AP Biology will no longer substitute. Still, we encourage students to transfer in their credits from AP Biology to count toward the 128 credits required for graduation (see details on Registrar's website).