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Student holding a tiny frog by Laura Swenson

Biology

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School of Humanities and Sciences

Biology will provide you with a broad-based biology curriculum.

What You'll Study

The major offers diverse subplans from Biochemistry/physics to Neurosciences. The General Biology major is designed for students who would like a broad-based biology curriculum. Students will begin taking foundational introductory courses, exploratory lab courses, and a selection of additional breadth courses in Chemistry, Math, Physics, Statistics, and/or Computer Science during their first two years. Advanced elective courses will be taken in the remaining two years. 

Students have the opportunity to choose from 4 capstone options

  1. Honors
  2. Independent Capstone
  3. The Senior Reflection (will be discontinued AY26-27 and beyond)
  4. Approved Out-of-Department Capstone [4 options]

Degrees Offered

  • BS
  • Minor
  • Honors
  • Coterm

More Information

Learn more about Biology in the Stanford Bulletin

Exploratory Courses

BIO 102

Introduction to Neuroscience

BIO 105A

Ecology and Natural History of Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve (EARTHSYS 105A)

BIO 105B

Ecology and Natural History of Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve (EARTHSYS 105B)

BIO 12N

Sensory Ecology of Marine Animals

BIO 35N

Catching up with Traditional Ecological Knowledge

BIO 7N

Conservation Photography

Related Links

Major Requirements

Capstone Requirement

Minor Requirements

Co-Term Information

Hopkins Marine Station