Courses
Undergraduate Courses
Search directly from the University Catalog by clicking on the Course tab and then typing in a course number e.g. BIOL 425.
BIOL 100-499 (open to all undergraduates)
BIOL 500-699 (graduate courses open to advanced undergraduate students with the permission of the School of Systems Biology department)
Schedule of Classes (choose the current semester from the pull-down menu)
Course syllabi samples
Listed below are sample course syllabi for core undergraduate courses:
BIOL 103 Introductory Biology I
BIOL 104 Introductory Biology II
BIOL 124 Human Anatomy & Physiology (Part I)
BIOL 125 Human Anatomy & Physiology (Part II)
BIOL 213 Cell Structure and Function
BIOL 214 Biostatistics for Biology Majors
MLAB 300 Science Writing
BIOL 305 Biology of Microorganisms
BIOL 308 Foundations of Ecology and Evolution
BIOL 310 Biodiversity
BIOL 311 General Genetics
BIOL 452 Immunology
NOTE: Students enrolled in BIOL 214, 300, and 308 are REQUIRED to bring in a laptop to lab/recitation sections.
Other Options for Taking Courses
Graduate Course For Undergraduate Credit (PDF)
Study Elsewhere Request – Undergraduate (PDF)
Reserve Graduate Credit (PDF)
Department Course Updates
The Biology Department strives to make changes transparently. When we make a major change to one of our courses, you will see a record of that change on this page and in the catalog.
Changes in Mason Core Introductory Biology Courses (Fall 2021)
The Biology Department announced the following changes to Introductory Biology courses in Fall 2021.
BIOL 106, 107 have been discontinued.
BIOL 102 GenBioA: Survey of Biodiversity and Ecology replaces BIOL 103.
BIOL 103 lecture and BIOL 105 lab GenBioB: Survey of Cell and Molecular Biology, replaces BIOL 107 lecture and BIOL 106 lab.
For full description of changes and best practices here is the link to the news article: Changes to Mason Core Introductory Biology Courses.
Changes to BIOL 300 Biodiversity formerly BIOL310/330 (Fall 2019)
BIOL 300 Biodiversity replaced BIOL 310 and 330. The credit amounts have changed to 4 credits with a required lab. This change requires Biology students to take one additional elective credit to complete their degree in Biology. Students should check their degree works for this change. The 310/330 sequence was last offered in Summer/Fall 2019. This change is active for students admitted in Catalog years of 2019-2020 and after.
Changes in Biology General Education Courses (INACTIVE)
This change is now inactive. Please see Fall 2021 changes.
In Spring 2018, BIOL 104 was replaced by two separate courses. BIOL 107 replaced the lecture portion of BIOL 104. BIOL 106 replaced the laboratory portion of BIOL 104. A student could take BIOL 107 without taking 106. However, a student wishing to take the course with a laboratory must register for both BIOL 106 and BIOL 107. In the unusual case of a transfer student coming in with a lecture course equivalent to BIOL 107 (or 104 under the old system), that student may take 106 alone, but should consult with the Department of Biology before registering.
Both 106 and 107 satisfied the science general education requirement along with BIOL 103.