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Biology

College of Arts & Sciences

Through coursework in the classroom, lab and field, as well as research opportunities, internships and study abroad, Biology undergraduates gain the knowledge and skills for careers in basic and applied research, education, health sciences, environmental sciences, science policy, government, business and the nonprofit sector.

Major category: Capacity-constrained

Curricular options: B.A. General Biology, B.S. Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology, B.S. General Biology, B.S. Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, B.S. Physiology, B.S. Plant Biology

Area(s) of interest: Engineering option, Health, Natural and environmental sciences

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Degree requirements

Applicant type

Applicant type

First-year students can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)

Read more about applying to the UW as a first-year student, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).

Biology is a capacity-constrained major. An additional application is required after you enroll at the UW, and admission may be competitive. Visit the department website for more information.

An application for general admission to the UW is required for all transfer students. UW accepts general applications for Autumn and Winter with some select majors allowing applications in Spring. Review your intended major’s website for information about which quarters it is open for admission.

Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.

  • Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
  • Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
  • Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
  • UW college and school graduation requirements

Department admission information

Please contact the department for details about the application process.

The BA and BS degree programs are capacity-constrained.

Minimum application requirements for a Biology Major:

  1. Be a matriculated student at the UW Seattle Campus and in good academic standing.
  2. Complete the Introductory Biology series or equivalent courses to UW BIOL 180, 200, 220 and have a minimum grade of 2.0 in EACH course.
  3. Have a minimum 2.5 Cumulative GPA for any supporting course work in Chemistry, Physics, Math, Biology or other courses intended for use in the Biology major that are complete at the time of application.

Meeting these minimum requirements will not guarantee admission to the Biology major. Other factors in admission include review of application questions, space availability in the major, and time to degree set by UW Satisfactory Progress Policy.

Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.

Courses REQUIRED for admission:

  • BIOL 180 NSc – Introductory Biology
  • BIOL 200 NSc – Introductory Biology
  • BIOL 220 NSc – Introductory Biology

Entering transfer information:

Total undergraduates: 953
Total from Washington community colleges: 130

Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):

3.75 – 4.00: 39
3.50 – 3.74: 29
3.25 – 3.49: 27
3.00 – 3.24: 19
2.75 – 2.99: 7
2.50 – 2.74: 5
2.49 and below: <5

Career outcomes

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See list of all majors