University Catalog 2024-2025

Biological Sciences (BS): Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology Concentration

The B.S. in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology (IPN) provides a comprehensive grounding in the principles of physiology and neuroscience, as well as in-depth exposure to the application of those principles in understanding whole-animal function, links between physiology and behavior, and the ways in which animals cope with challenges presented by their environments.

IPN students graduate with the skills to work in industry and government agencies. Graduates may also choose to continue their education by pursuing advanced degrees in many areas of the life sciences, including neuroscience, endocrinology, cell biology, and physiology. The IPN concentration also prepares students to pursue degrees in medicine, dentistry, and other health-related areas.

Plan Requirements

Exploring the Life Sciences
LSC 103Exploring Opportunities in the Life Sciences1
Writing
Advanced Writing Requirement Elective 13
Cannot be double-counted for a GEP requirement.
Biological Sciences
LSC 101Critical and Creative Thinking in the Life Sciences 12
BIO 181Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 14
BIO 183Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 14
BIO 414Cell Biology 13
or BIO 416 Cancer Cell Biology
BIO 424Endocrinology 13
BIO 488Neurobiology 13
BCH 351General Biochemistry 13-4
or BCH 451 Principles of Biochemistry
GN 311Principles of Genetics 14
GN 312Elementary Genetics Laboratory 11
Select one of the following Physiology courses: 14
Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology (A): Nervous, Skeletal, Muscular, & Digestive Systems
Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology (B): Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Respiratory & Renal Systems
Animal Anatomy and Physiology
Physical & Mathematical Sciences
MA 131Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A3
or MA 141 Calculus I
MA 231Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B3
or MA 241 Calculus II
CH 101Chemistry - A Molecular Science3
CH 102General Chemistry Laboratory1
CH 201Chemistry - A Quantitative Science3
CH 202Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory1
CH 221Organic Chemistry I3
CH 222Organic Chemistry I Lab1
CH 223Organic Chemistry II3
CH 224Organic Chemistry II Lab1
Select one of the following:4
College Physics I
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory
Select one of the following:4
College Physics II
Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory
ST 311Introduction to Statistics3
Major Electives
IPN Electives 19
Supraorganismal Elective 13
Additional Science & Math Electives6
GEP Courses
ENG 101Academic Writing and Research 14
GEP Humanities6
GEP Social Sciences6
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives3
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
World Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Free Electives
Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt)10
These electives cannot be taken at an elementary level after you have taken comparable coursework at a more advanced level. Students interested in graduate school or professional school should check the courses required for admission to the programs to which they plan to apply
Total Hours120
1

A grade of C- or higher is required.

Advanced Writing Requirement Electives

BIO 267Research in the Life Sciences I: Research Skills3
COM 211Argumentation and Advocacy3
ENG 214Introduction to Editing3
ENG 232Literature and Medicine3
ENG 287Explorations in Creative Writing3
ENG 288Fiction Writing3
ENG 289Poetry Writing3
ENG 292Writing About Film3
ENG 316Introduction to News and Article Writing3
ENG 323Writing in Rhetorical Traditions3
ENG 331Communication for Engineering and Technology3
ENG 332Communication for Business and Management3
ENG 333Communication for Science and Research3
ENG 381Creative Nonfiction Writing Workshop3
ENG 388Intermediate Fiction Writing Workshop3
ENG 389Intermediate Poetry Writing Workshop3
ENG 416Advanced News and Article Writing3
ENG 417Editorial and Opinion Writing3
ENG 422Writing Theory and the Writing Process3
ENG 425Analysis of Scientific and Technical Writing3
ENG 426Analyzing Style3

IPN Electives

Students can use up to 3 hours of Experiential Learning (BSC 492, BSC 493, BSC 494, BSC 497 or BSC 498) toward IPN Electives.
AEC 515Fish Physiology3
ANS 220Reproductive Physiology3
ANS 221Reproductive Physiology Lab1
ANS 415Comparative Nutrition3
ANS 452Comparative Reproductive Physiology and Biotechnology3
ANS 515Comparative Nutrition3
ANS 552Comparative Reproductive Physiology and Biotechnology3
BIO 361Developmental Biology3
BIO 418Cell Biology Research Lab2
BIO 432Evolutionary Medicine3
BIO 434Hormones and Behavior3
BIO 444The Biology of Love and Sex3
BIO 483Capstone Course in Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology3
BIT 464Protein Purification2
BIT 466Animal Cell Culture Techniques2
BIT 471RNA Interference and Model Organisms2
BIT 564Protein Purification2
BIT 566Animal Cell Culture Techniques2
BIT 571RNA Interference and Model Organisms2
ENT 503Insect Morphology and Physiology3
FW 515Fish Physiology3
GN 434Genes and Development3
GN 441Human and Biomedical Genetics3
GN 453Personal Genomics3
GN 456Epigenetics, Development, and Disease3
GN 541Human and Biomedical Genetics3
MB 441Immunology3
NTR 415Comparative Nutrition3
NTR 419Human Nutrition and Chronic Disease3
NTR 515Comparative Nutrition3
PHY 452
PHY 503General Physiology I3
PHY 504General Physiology II3
PHY 524Comparative Endocrinology3
PHY 552
PO 415Comparative Nutrition3
PO 466Animal Cell Culture Techniques2
PO 515Comparative Nutrition3
PO 524Comparative Endocrinology3
PSY 502Physiological Psychology3
TOX 401Principles of Toxicology4
TOX 501Principles of Toxicology4
Research/Professional Exp.
BSC 492Professional Experience1-3
BSC 493Research Experience1-3
BSC 494Teaching Experience1-3
BSC 497Biological Sciences Honors Project Part 13
BSC 498Biological Sciences Honors Project Part 23

Supraorganismal Electives

AEC 360Ecology4
AEC 419Freshwater Ecology4
AEC 441Biology of Fishes3
AEC 442Biology of Fishes Laboratory1
AEC 460Field Ecology and Methods4
AEC 501Avian Ecology4
AEC 519Freshwater Ecology4
BIO 270Introduction to Evolution3
BIO 330Evolutionary Biology3
BIO 432Evolutionary Medicine3
BIO 440The Human Animal: An Evolutionary Perspective3
ENT 425General Entomology3
FOR 565Plant Community Ecology4
FW 353Wildlife Management3
MEA 220Marine Biology3
NR 406Conservation of Biological Diversity3
PB 360Ecology4
PB 400Plant Diversity and Evolution4
PB 403Systematic Botany4
PB 503Systematic Botany4
PP 222Kingdom of Fungi3
ZO 317Primate Ecology and Evolution3
ZO 333Captive Animal Biology3
ZO 350Animal Phylogeny and Diversity4
ZO 402Invertebrate Biology4
ZO 410Introduction to Animal Behavior3

Additional STEM Electives 

ANS 225Principles of Animal Nutrition3
ANS 230Animal Nutrition3
ANT 251Physical Anthropology3
ANT 421Human Osteology3
Take any courses at the 200 level and higher from the following prefixes: AEC, BCH, BEC, BIO, BIT, BSC, CH, DSC, ENT, ES, FW, GN, MA, MB, MEA, NTR, PB, PY, ST, TOX, ZO

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
LSC 101 Critical and Creative Thinking in the Life Sciences 2
BIO 181 Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 1 4
CH 101 Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 3
CH 102 General Chemistry Laboratory 1 1
MA 131 Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 1 3
LSC 103 Exploring Opportunities in the Life Sciences 1
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
Spring Semester
BIO 183 Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 1 4
CH 221 Organic Chemistry I 1 3
CH 222 Organic Chemistry I Lab 1 1
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 4
MA 231 Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B 1 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall Semester
ZO 250 Animal Anatomy and Physiology 4
CH 223 Organic Chemistry II 1 3
CH 224 Organic Chemistry II Lab 1 1
ST 311 Introduction to Statistics 1 3
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
Spring Semester
GN 311 Principles of Genetics 1 4
GN 312 Elementary Genetics Laboratory 1 1
Free Elective 3
CH 201 Chemistry - A Quantitative Science 1 3
CH 202 Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory 1 1
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall Semester
PY 211 College Physics I 1 4
BCH 351
General Biochemistry 1
or Principles of Biochemistry
3-4
BIO 488 Neurobiology 1 3
BIO 424 Endocrinology 1 3
GEP Humanities 3
 Hours17
Spring Semester
PY 212 College Physics II 1 4
Cell Biology Requirement 3
Advanced Writing Elective 3
GEP Social Sciences 3
 Hours13
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
IPN Elective 3
IPN Elective 3
STEM Elective 3
GEP Humanities 3
Free Elective 2-3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
Supraorganismal Elective 3
IPN Elective 3
STEM Elective 3
GEP Social Sciences 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours120
1

A grade of C- or higher is required.

Career Opportunities

IPN concentration students graduate with the skills to work in industry and government agencies. Graduates may also choose to continue their education by pursuing advanced degrees in many areas of the life sciences, including neuroscience, endocrinology, cell biology, and physiology. The IPN concentration also prepares students to pursue degrees in medicine, dentistry, and other health-related areas.

Career Titles

  • Agricultural Sciences Professor
  • Agronomist
  • Allergists and Immunologists
  • Anesthesiologist (MD)
  • Anesthesiologist Assistants
  • Animal Breeder
  • Animal Scientist
  • Aquaculture Specialist
  • Aquarium Curator
  • Biochemist
  • Biological Technician
  • Biologist
  • Biology Professor
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Biophysicist
  • Biopsychologist
  • Botanist
  • Cardiologist (MD)
  • Clinical Dietitian
  • Dentist (DDS)
  • Dietitian and Nutritionist
  • Environmental Disease Analyst
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Environmental Research Analyst
  • Epidemiologists
  • Family Practitioner (MD)
  • Fish and Game Warden
  • Fish Hatchery Specialist
  • Food & Drug Inspector
  • Food Science Technicians
  • Food Technologist
  • Forensic Science Technicians
  • General Internists (MD)
  • Genetic Counselors
  • Geneticist
  • Gynecologist (MD)
  • Hazardous Waste Management Analyst
  • Horticulturist
  • Hospitalists
  • Industrial Hygienist
  • Industrial Waste Inspector
  • Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists
  • Marine and Aquatic Biologist
  • Medical and Scientific Illustrator
  • Medical Equipment Technician
  • Medical Technologist
  • Microbiologist
  • Obstetrician (MD)
  • Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
  • Occupational Physician (MD)
  • Oceanographer
  • Optometrist
  • Park Naturalist
  • Pathologist (MD)
  • Pediatrician (MD)
  • Pharmacist
  • Pharmacologist
  • Phlebotomist
  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
  • Physician Assistant (PA)
  • Radiologist (MD)
  • Sales Representative (Chemicals & Drugs)
  • Soil Conservationist
  • Soil Scientist
  • Sports Physician (Orthopedist)
  • Surgeons (MD)
  • Toxicologist
  • Urologists
  • Veterinarian (VMD)
  • Water Pollution Control Inspector
  • Wildlife Biologist
  • Wildlife Control Agent
  • Winemaker / Vinter
  • Zoologist

Learn More About Careers

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Bio Careers
American Institute of Biological Sciences
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology