College of Biological Sciences (CBS)

The College of Biological Sciences (CBS) is a popular choice for PSEO students because it has majors like Biology, Neuroscience, and Microbiology. 

• List of CBS Majors and Minors

• Admissions Profile for Admitted Students by College

Course Information

• If you are interested in a CBS major, it's essential for you to prioritize chemistry. CBS majors require at least 3 semesters of chemistry. 

  • CBS students also have an alternative chemistry track available to Chem 1061/1065, called "Chemistry for the Life Sciences":

    • Chem 1081 + 1065: Chemistry for the Life Sciences I

    • Chem 1082 + 1086: Chemistry for the Life Sciences II

    • Chem 2081 + 2085: Chemistry for the Life Sciences III

    • This sequence covers most organic chemistry content in three semesters instead of the four semesters required by the non-CBS track, but it also counts towards fewer programs. Students should only consider this track if they are very confident they'll major in CBS or life science. Contact your advisor for details.

    • Many PSEO students start in Chem 1015, the introductory chemistry course before Chem 1061/1065 if they have not taken any high school chemistry.  See the Chemistry Placement information for more details. 

• Math 1271 Calculus 1 is required for CBS majors.

• CBS has its own introductory biology sequence. Learn more about it here; AP Biology will not meet their requirement.  It's recommended that you have completed General Chemistry 1 (Chem 1061/1065 or Chem 1081/1065) and Math 1271 Calculus 1 prior to starting their biology sequence. 

  • • If you have completed Chem 1061/1065 or Chem 1081/1065 and Math 1271 and are planning on attending CBS after PSEO, talk to your PSEO advisor about taking Biol 1951- Foundations of Biology while still in PSEO. 

    • Biol 1009 is considered a pre-major/pre-med level biology course. It is considered a higher level of difficulty than Biol 1001, 1003, and 1010. By taking this course, it may allow you to take some 3xxx level Biol or EEB courses.

      • However, this course does not count towards a CBS major.

• We recommend Biol 1020-Biology Colloquium for PSEO students. This is a 1 credit course that is an introduction to the diverse fields of biology through seminars, lab tours, and interactions with other biology students and faculty. It is a great exploratory course for PSEO students considering a CBS major!

• We recommend you focus on your CBS major coursework (math, chemistry) over your Liberal Education Requirements. Liberal Education Requirements are meant to be spread over 4 years. If you complete your Liberal Education Requirements while in PSEO, start thinking about a potential minor or area of interest outside of the sciences since it's recommended that you only take 10-11 math and science lab credits per semester while in CBS (and will need another course each semester to be considered a full-time student).

• CBS's "Nature of Life" course sequence is closed to PSEO students.

After PSEO

• Nature of Life is 3 sequential experiences required of all CBS students. It starts with a 3-night, 4 day trip to Itasca State Park in the summer prior to the first undergraduate semester. There are in-person and online components in the following semesters.

A note about pre-med majors

• Many students choose biology as their pre-med major because it is popular and many of the courses help prepare students for the MCAT exam. You can actually major in anything for pre-med! We recommend you also consider majors like Human Physiology and Biology, Society, and Environment in the College of Liberal Arts as pre-med majors as well. Visit CAPE's website for a list of majors organized by theme, and look at the majors related to Biological, Environmental, and Health Sciences as a great starting point for exploring pre-med majors. Also, review this great resource, Explore Health Majors. 

• Check out our pre-med overview page to learn more about pre-med planning.