The Biology major is very flexible. Once you have completed the biology core, there is a wide variety of upper-division life science courses that can satisfy the degree requirements. Each biology major, with the help of an academic advisor, can create a study plan that best fits his/her interests and career requirements while receiving a well-rounded training in biology.

Located at: Dean Hall 02.  We are right next to Hawaii Hall, across from Manoa Gardens, diagonally across from Campus Center (click here for campus map).

Phone: 808-956-8303

Email: biology@hawaii.edu

We offer three types of degrees and a minor: Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Bachelor of Science in Biology, and Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology.  We also offer the Biology Minor.  

Major Declaration Forms - this form is used to declare Biology or Marine Biology as your major, or to change it to this Biology or Marine Biology. Be sure to fill it out appropriately.  Once you are done, please have it signed by the academic advisor or the Biology Program Director at Dean Hall 02. We are right next to Hawaii Hall, across from Manoa Gardens (click here for campus map).  You can email biology@hawaii.edu, or call 808-956-8303 should you have any questions.

Click here for list of Biology electives - Note that there may be classes that are no longer offered, or offered only certain semesters.  Newly offered classes might not be reflected on this list.  If you feel there are classes at UHM (or transferred) that should be counted please contact biology@hawaii.edu. Be sure to provide course description (including pre-requisites, credit hours, and your grade), and course syllabi (should include instructor contact information, course topics, and any other pertinent information).  Courses should be at least 300+ level (i.e. upper division, or at least with specific pre-requisites).  All electives must have a grade of C or better (not C -) in order to count towards the major.

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Bachelor of Arts in Biology - For those interested in Biology and wish to get a more well-rounded education. Used commonly for those pre-professional and gives a little more flexibility when it comes to choosing Biology electives.  Also used commonly for those that wish to double major or pickup a minor. Less science than the Bachelor of Science, but  more general education requirements.  

Bachelor of Science in Biology - For those interested in Biology and wish to pursue either graduate studies or wish to study science more in-depth.  Used commonly also for pre-professionals who wish to focus their college careers on science rather than general education.  More science courses, but less general education requirements.

Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology - For those interested in Marine Biology, specifically. For those that want an intense experience in the marine life sciences. A rigorous, in-depth curriculum meant for those that wish to pursue a scientific career in the marine field.  For that wish a marine biology experience as well, but may not want to commit to a complete degree, you can also check out the Marine Option Program (MOP) at http://www.hawaii.edu/mop. The MOP certificate can also be used to supplement the Marine Biology or Biology degree, however courses can not count for both the Biology/Marine Biology degree and MOP.

Biology Minor - For this interested in Biology, but don't want to commit to a full fledged degree. Also good for those that are pre-professional students who have already taken or plan to take majority of the Biology Minor courses and would like to add a minor to their collegiate portfolio. The Biology Minor can count for the "Depth" requirement for those who are going towards a BA in a major that is in the College of Arts & Science, please check with them for more details (808-956-8755, http://www.advising.hawaii.edu/artsci/ ).  Note that the courses used to fulfill the Biology Minor can not be also used for your major. Check with your major advisor for more details or from Arts & Science.  If your major is non-life-science related (i.e. not Botany, Microbiology, Zoology, etc) then you should not have any overlaps.