What Are the Math Requirements for a Biology Major?

Biology is a field of science, but it's not quite as math-centric as other fields, like physics or even chemistry. So, what are the math requirements for a biology major?

Biology major math requirements usually involve some math prerequisites but don't involve math within the major itself. Keep reading to learn more about the math requirements and other requirements for biology majors.

What Are the Biology Major Math Requirements?

Most biology majors do not require math as a course within the major itself but do require students to have taken some math courses before they begin their major program.

College courses can be broadly categorized into three types: general education courses, prerequisite courses, and major courses.

General Education Courses

General education courses are core courses that all students need to take. They help provide a varied, strong foundation for the rest of your college experience.

Prerequisite Courses

Prerequisite courses are those that your major requires you to complete before beginning the program. They often overlap with general education courses.

Major Courses

Major courses are the courses offered in your major program. There are often core major courses everyone needs to take as well as electives in the same field.

Math Courses

Students usually spend the first two years of college completing their general education and prerequisite courses, and the final two years focused on their major.

Most colleges and universities require at least one math course as part of your general education courses, although you can typically choose what type of math you want to study.

Most biology major programs require some mathematics courses, usually some form of calculus or statistics.

However, the math requirements vary between programs, and you must check to see what your specific program requires.

Why Is Math Required for Biology?

Basic math is required for biology because it creates the foundation for many scientific principles used in biology. Math may be used to:

• analyze data
• create models
• evaluate statistics
• test hypothesis
• track changes

Additionally, math is required for biology, along with a variety of subjects, because it helps students expand their ways of thinking. Math can help develop analytical and problem-solving skills necessary for many different fields.

Is the Math Used in Biology Hard?

Biology programs generally require the most basic levels of math. While some people may find some types of math more difficult than others, the math required for a biology degree is typically very basic math and nothing too advanced.

Does Biology Require More Math Than Other Subjects?

Biology requires far less math than other subjects, especially other fields of science like chemistry, physics, or engineering.

Humanities programs usually require the least amount of math courses, often just the bare minimum included in the general education requirements. Depending on the program, a biology degree typically requires a little more math than this.

Other Biology Major Requirements

Math is just one small portion of the requirements for a biology major. There are many other courses you'll need to take as well.

All bachelor's degree students need to complete their college or university's general education requirements. For many of these, students can choose what course they want to take to fulfill a requirement.

Most biology major programs will require students to have taken, in addition to math, some chemistry and physics courses. You will also likely need to take some foundational biology courses.

Once you've completed all general education courses and prerequisite courses, you can move on to the courses for your biology major. Specific courses will depend on the program but often cover topics like:

• biochemistry
• cell biology
• developmental biology
• ecology
• evolutionary biology
• genetics
• molecular biology

Most biology degree programs will also require students to complete a certain number of lab courses or field experience courses.

How Long Does It Take To Complete a Biology Major?

The length of time it takes to complete a biology major depends on several factors, including the level of degree you're earning and how many credits you take each semester.

Bachelor's degree programs in biology usually require about 120 credits, which takes full-time students about four years to complete. Biology associate degrees and biology master's programs usually take about two years, though master's programs can vary.

At most universities, a full-time credit load is 12 or more credits per semester. Some students prefer to take fewer credits than that, especially if they have busy lives, but it will take longer to complete the degree that way.

Some colleges and universities offer accelerated programs, especially for online degrees. While biology degrees aren't as commonly offered in an online format, you may still be able to find accelerated programs.

These types of programs offer courses in shorter terms, like six or eight weeks long. Depending on your course load, this may allow you to finish your program in fewer than four years.

Additionally, suppose you have some college experience already. In that case, you may be able to transfer in the credits you earned in your previous program, which reduces the number of credits left to take in your program.

Find a Biology Major Program Today

Most biology majors require students to have already taken some math courses but do not include math courses within the major. For more information on biology majors, contact Learn.org today.