Welcome Students!
The courses on this page aim to help First-Year students find enriching experiences in Biology at Washington University.
Courses marked with an asterisk* engage First-Year students in discussions about current biological research. They are optional and do not replace requirements for the Biology major or for pre-health careers. See the Handbook for Biology Majors for details of Biology major requirements.
Bio 1260, Bio 2651, and Bio 2950 are available to freshmen as well as upper-level students.
Bio 112* – Introduction to Problem-Based Learning in Biology (fall)
How do we solve cases in modern biology and medicine?
BIOL 1122* First Year Seminar: Introduction to Critical Thinking (fall)
Learn to translate molecular biology content and research into applicable problem-solving skills that can serve as an academic springboard for future biology courses.
Bio 1260*-The Secret Lives of Plants (fall)
Would you like to enhance your understanding and appreciation of the plant kingdom? To help young scientists understand the primary scientific literature? Or possibly pursue a career in plant biology?
BIOL 144* – AMP: The Biology of Cancer, part I (fall)
This interactive 1st-semester course provides an introductory overview of the biology of human cancers.
BIOL 1440* – AMP: The Biology of Cancer, part II (spring)
In this interactive 2nd-semester course, we continue our exploration of the “hallmarks of cancer,” emphasizing the dysfunction of essential biological processes like cell proliferation, programmed cell death, energy metabolism, and immune surveillance.
Bio 1500*-First-Year Opportunity: Molecular Biology of Genetic Disease (fall)
Learn the underlying molecular, cellular, and physiological aspects of health and disease.
Bio 171* – Neuroscience Futures 1 (fall)
In this course you will learn how neurobiologists conduct and communicate research.
Bio 1770*- The Biology of Dog Breeds (spring)
Using the topics of dog behavior and genetics, you will contribute to the building of and online public resource that summarizes current scientific literature on Dog breeds.
Biol 1771/1772* – Special Topics in Biology: Plant-Pathogen Interactions
This course aims to foster the development of student-professor mentoring relationships.
Bio 181*- First-Year Opportunity: Introduction to Cutting-Edge Research in Biology (fall)
Would you like to learn how biologists pursue their profession? Or what exactly happens in a research setting?
Bio 1811*-First Year Opportunity: Research and Conservation in Zoos and Botanical Gardens (fall)
In this course students will learn of the diverse and cutting-edge ways in which scientists and conservationists study the world’s biological diversity and work to conserve it.
Bio 191*-Phage Hunters (fall)
Students in this course join a national experiment organized by HHMI, with the goal of isolating and characterizing bacteriophage viruses found in soil.
Bio 192*-AMP: Phage Bioinformatics (spring)
How do you use computers to analyze the DNA sequence of a virus?
Bio 2010*-AMP: The Science of Biotechnology (fall)
How do biotech companies start, obtain funding, and navigate intellectual property?
Bio 2431* – Ampersand: Pathfinder – A Sense of Place: Discovering Missouris Natural Heritage (fall)
Students in this course focus on Missouri’s geology, climate, archaeology, and native mega-fauna. Multiple camping trips provide a wonderful opportunity to apply classroom concepts to Missouri’s ecosystems and ecological habitats.
Bio 2651*- MedPrep I – The Lecture Series (fall, spring, and summer)
How can you become the most prepared and competitive applicant for medical school?
Bio 2950-Intro. to Environmental Biology (fall)
How can we feed a growing population and conserve biodiversity without destroying the planet?