New Student IB Major Info Packet
In Integrative Biology you will study how the different scales of life interact, from molecules through global cycles. The SIB community collaborates extensively on both research and teaching, leading to multi-disciplinary courses grounded in active learning and highly transferable, higher-order processing skills such as critical thinking, application, interpretation, and evaluation. Students build well-rounded lab skills spanning from tall grass prairie restoration to modern genome-editing techniques and study topics such as genetics, evolution, anatomy & physiology, ecology & behavior, and molecular biology. IB offers career preparation in such areas as health professions, biotechnology, biodiversity, conservation, and environmental sciences.
Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences: Integrative Biology
Requirements for the B. S. Degree in Integrative Biology
- Courses in Biology, Chemistry, Math & Physics Complete your pre health requirements in tandem with your major!
- LAS General Education Courses (Gen Eds)
- Completion to the 4th Level of Language other than English (LOTE)
- Composition I & Advanced Composition
- Electives: Courses needed to complete the 120hrs required to graduate. can be non-science & math
Supporting Coursework:
These are typical prerequisites for health professional schools such as Medical School, Dental School, Optometry School, PA School, and more.
| Course Name | Credit Hour Amount |
|---|---|
| MATH 220 or MATH 221 (Calculus) | 4-5 Credit Hours |
| STATS 212 (Biostatistics) | 3 Credit Hours |
| CHEM 102 & 103 (General Chemistry I) | 4 Credit Hours |
| CHEM 104 & 105 (General Chemistry II) | 4 Credit Hours |
| CHEM 232 & 233 (Organic Chemistry I & Lab) | 6 Credit Hours |
| PHYS 101 & 102 (Physics I & II) | 10 Credit Hours |
Introductory Biology Sequence:
| Course Name | Credit Hour Amount |
|---|---|
| IB 150 (Organismal & Evolutionary Biology) |
4 Credit Hours |
| MCB 150 (Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life) | 4 Credit Hours |
Integrative Biology Core Coursework:
| Course Name | Credit Hour Amount |
|---|---|
| IB 202 (Physiology & Lab) | 4 Credit Hours |
| IB 203 (Ecology & Lab) Advanced Comp Gen Ed | 4 Credit Hours |
| IB 204 (Genetics & Lab) | 4 Credit Hours |
| IB 302 (Evolution & Lab) | 4 Credit Hours |
Advanced Coursework:
Additional advanced courses totaling a minimum of 15 hours at the 300 - 400 Level are required. Courses can be selected from the IB Major Advanced Hour list and must include:
- One course from two of the following three areas:
- Area I: Organismal & Evolutionary Biology
- Area II: Behavior, Ecology, & the Environment
- Area III: Integrative Anatomy, Physiology, & Molecular Biology
- One course with a laboratory and/or field component
Advanced courses like Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Anatomy are common health profession prerequisites!
Examples of Typical Semester Course Sequences by Career Goal (4 Year Plan)
Integrative Biology offers a strong foundation of biology, chemistry, physics, physiology, genetics, and more, making it a great options when it comes to a wide variety of biology related career fields. The general IB curriculum and advanced elective course requirement will cover most graduate school requirements if planning to go into the fields of environmental conservation, research, ecology, and beyond. Please review the general plans below.
Below we have a few sample course sequences for some specific medical professional careers. These sample sequences were created to highlight the general additional requirements for admissions to each specific professional school and to give a general timeline to get there.
Keep in mind that there are other variables that may change your academic plan such as minors, double majors, major changes, or being a transfer student. If you fall into that category please consult your academic advisor and consider making a multi-semester plan. Additionally, be aware that it is the responsibility of the student to double check all professional school requirements for the schools they plan to attend, as some schools have additional requirements not outlined on the plan.
- IB Advising
IB + Medical School
Year One
| Semester 1: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 2: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB 150 or MCB 150 | 4 | IB 150 or MCB 150 | 4 |
| CHEM 101 or CHEM 102 & 103 | 3-4 | CHEM 102 & 103 or CHEM 104 & 105 | 4 |
| MATH 112, MATH 115, MATH 220/1, or RHET 105 | 3-5 | MATH 115, MATH 220/1, STATS 212 or RHET 105 | 3-5 |
| PSYC 100 or SOC 100 | 4 | PSYC 100, SOC 100, or LOTE | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 14-16hrs | Total Hours: | 13-16hrs |
Year Two
| Semester 3: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 4: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB 203 Ecology (Adv. Comp) | 4 | IB 202 Physiology | 4 |
| IB 204 Genetics | 4 | IB 203 Evolution | 4 |
| CHEM 104 & 105 or CHEM 232 | 4 | CHEM 232 or CHEM 233 | 2-4 |
| Gen Ed or Elective | 3-4 | Stats 212, Math 220, Gen Ed, or Elective | 3-5 |
| Total Hours: | 15-16hrs | Total Hours: | 13-17hrs |
Year Three
| Semester 5: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 6: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB 303 Anatomy (A3, Adv LAB) | 4 | MCB 450 (Adv. IB) | 3 |
| PHYS 101 | 5 | PHYS 102 | 5 |
| Gen Ed or CHEM 332 | 3-4 | Gen Ed or LOTE | 3-4 |
| Gen Ed, LOTE, or Elective | 3-4 | Gen Ed or Elective | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 14-16hrs | Total Hours: | 14-15hrs |
Year Four
| Semester 7: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 8: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced IB Course | 3-4 | Advanced IB Course | 3 |
| Advanced IB Course | 3-4 | Gen Ed or Adv CHEM (Minor) | 3 |
| Gen Ed or Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Gen Ed or Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 12-14hrs | Total Hours: | 12hrs |
IB + Physician Assistant
Year One
| Semester 1: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 2: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB 150 or MCB 150 | 4 | IB 150 or MCB 150 | 4 |
| CHEM 101 or CHEM 102 & 103 | 3-4 | CHEM 102 & 103 or CHEM 104 & 105 | 4 |
| MATH 112, MATH 115, MATH 220/1, or RHET 105 | 3-5 | MATH 115, MATH 220/1, STATS 212 or RHET 105 | 3-5 |
| PSYC 100 or SOC 100 | 4 | PSYC 100, SOC 100, or LOTE | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 14-16hrs | Total Hours: | 13-16hrs |
Year Two
| Semester 3: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 4: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB 203 Ecology (Adv. Comp) | 4 | IB 202 Physiology | 4 |
| IB 204 Genetics | 4 | IB 203 Evolution | 4 |
| CHEM 104 & 105 or CHEM 232 | 4 | CHEM 232 & 233 or Elective | 3-6 |
| CHEM 233, Gen Ed or Elective | 3-4 | Gen Ed or Elective | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 15-16hrs | Total Hours: | 14-17hrs |
Year Three
| Semester 5: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 6: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced IB Course | 3-4 | MCB 450 (Adv. IB) | 3 |
| PHYS 101 | 5 | PHYS 102 | 5 |
| MCB 244/245 (Human A&P) | 5 | MCB 246/247 (Human A&P) | 5 |
| Gen Ed, LOTE, or Elective | 3-4 | Gen Ed or Elective | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 14-18hrs | Total Hours: | 16hrs |
Year Four
| Semester 7: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 8: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced IB Course | 3 | Advanced IB LAB Course | 4 |
| MCB 300 or MCB 100 | 3 | MCB 301 or MCB 101 | 2-3 |
| Adv. IB Course or Elective | 3 | CLCV 102 (ONL) | 3 |
| Gen Ed or Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 12-14hrs | Total Hours: | 12-13hrs |
IB + Dental School
Year One
| Semester 1: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 2: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB 150 or MCB 150 | 4 | IB 150 or MCB 150 | 4 |
| CHEM 101 or CHEM 102 & 103 | 3-4 | CHEM 102 & 103 or CHEM 104 & 105 | 4 |
| MATH 112, MATH 115, MATH 220/1, or RHET 105 | 3-5 | MATH 115, MATH 220/1, STATS 212 or RHET 105 | 3-5 |
| PSYC 100 or SOC 100 | 4 | PSYC 100, SOC 100, or LOTE | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 14-16hrs | Total Hours: | 13-16hrs |
Year Two
| Semester 3: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 4: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB 203 Ecology (Adv. Comp) | 4 | IB 202 Physiology | 4 |
| IB 204 Genetics | 4 | IB 203 Evolution | 4 |
| CHEM 104 & 105 or CHEM 232 | 4 | CHEM 232 & 233 or CHEM 332 | 4-6 |
| CHEM 233, Gen Ed, or Elective | 2-3 | Gen Ed or Elective | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 14-15hrs | Total Hours: | 15-17hrs |
Year Three
| Semester 5: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 6: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB 303 Anatomy (A3, Adv LAB) | 4 | MCB 450 (Adv. IB) | 3 |
| PHYS 101 | 5 | PHYS 102 | 5 |
| Gen Ed or CHEM 332 | 3-4 | Gen Ed or LOTE | 3-4 |
| Gen Ed, LOTE, or Elective | 3-4 | Gen Ed or Elective | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 14-16hrs | Total Hours: | 14-15hrs |
Year Four
| Semester 7: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 8: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCB 300 (Adv. IB) | 3 | Advanced IB Course | 3-4 |
| Advanced IB Course or Elective | 3-4 | Gen Ed or Adv CHEM (Minor) | 3 |
| MCB 301, 101 (2hrs), Gen Ed, or Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Gen Ed or Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 12-13hrs | Total Hours: | 12-13hrs |
IB + Genetic Counseling
Year One
| Semester 1: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 2: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB 150 or MCB 150 | 4 | IB 150 or MCB 150 | 4 |
| CHEM 101 or CHEM 102 & 103 | 3-4 | CHEM 102 & 103 or CHEM 104 & 105 | 4 |
| MATH 112, MATH 115, MATH 220/1, or RHET 105 | 3-5 | MATH 115, MATH 220/1, STATS 212 or RHET 105 | 3-5 |
| PSYC 100 or LOTE | 4 | PSYC 100 or LOTE | 3-4 |
| Total Hours: | 14-16hrs | Total Hours: | 13-16hrs |
Year Two
| Semester 3: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 4: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB 203 Ecology (Adv. Comp) | 4 | IB 202 Physiology | 4 |
| IB 204 Genetics | 4 | IB 203 Evolution | 4 |
| CHEM 104 & 105 or CHEM 232 | 4 | CHEM 232 & 233 | 4-6 |
| CHEM 233, Gen Ed, or Elective | 2-3 | Gen Ed or Elective | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 14-15hrs | Total Hours: | 15-17hrs |
Year Three
| Semester 5: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 6: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced IB Course | 3-4 | MCB 450 (Adv. IB) | 3 |
| PHYS 101 | 5 | PHYS 102 | 5 |
| Gen Ed or Elective | 3 | Gen Ed or LOTE | 3-4 |
| Gen Ed, LOTE, or Elective | 3-4 | Gen Ed or Elective | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 14-16hrs | Total Hours: | 14-15hrs |
Year Four
| Semester 7: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 8: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADV Genetics Course: MCB 316 | 4 | Advanced IB Course: IB 432 (A2) | 3 |
| Advanced IB Course or Elective | 3-4 | Advanced IB Course: IB 416 | 3 |
| Gen Ed or Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Gen Ed or Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 13-14hrs | Total Hours: | 12hrs |
IB + Forensic Science
Year One
| Semester 1: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 2: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB 150 or MCB 150 | 4 | IB 150 or MCB 150 | 4 |
| CHEM 101 or CHEM 102 & 103 | 3-4 | CHEM 102 & 103 or CHEM 104 & 105 | 4 |
| MATH 112, MATH 115, MATH 220/1, or RHET 105 | 3-5 | MATH 115, MATH 220/1, STATS 212 or RHET 105 | 3-5 |
| PSYC 100 or SOC 100 | 4 | PSYC 100, SOC 100, or LOTE | 3-4 |
| Total Hours: | 14-16hrs | Total Hours: | 13-17hrs |
Year Two
| Semester 3: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 4: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB 203 Ecology (Adv. Comp) | 4 | IB 202 Physiology | 4 |
| IB 204 Genetics | 4 | IB 203 Evolution | 4 |
| CHEM 104 & 105 or CHEM 232 | 4 | CHEM 232 or CHEM 233 or CHEM 332 | 2-4 |
| CHEM 233, Gen Ed, or Elective | 3-4 | SOC 275 Criminology | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 15-16hrs | Total Hours: | 13-15hrs |
Year Three
| Semester 5: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 6: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB 303 Anatomy (A3, Adv LAB) | 4 | MCB 450 (Adv. IB) | 3 |
| PHYS 101 | 5 | PHYS 102 | 5 |
| Gen Ed or CHEM 332 | 3-4 | Gen Ed or LOTE | 3-4 |
| Gen Ed, LOTE, or Elective | 3-4 | ANTH 246 Forensic Science | 4 |
| Total Hours: | 14-17hrs | Total Hours: | 15-16hrs |
Year Four
| Semester 7: Fall Courses | Hours | Semester 8: Spring Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced IB Course | 3-4 | Advanced IB Course: IB 481 (A2, LAB, SP Even) | 3-4 |
| Advanced IB Course | 3-4 | Gen Ed or Adv CHEM (Minor) | 3 |
| SOC 375 Criminal Justice | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Gen Ed or Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 12-14hrs | Total Hours: | 12-13hrs |
Experiential Learning Opportunities
Research
Discover impactful opportunities in mentored undergraduate research, build community in our historic IB Honors and IB Merit programs, study abroad with our accomplished IB faculty or concentrate your studies with Distinction in Research and our multiple certificate options.
Integrative Biology Honors
Integrative Biology Honors is a complete curriculum designed for exceptional students wishing to pursue an intensive program in integrative biology and, concurrently, to gain a strong background in the physical sciences and mathematics.
IB Career Course
"Because of this class, I went after an internship I probably wouldn’t have even known about otherwise, and it gave me the tools I needed to get it. I now have a job this summer!"
Study Abroad
Studying abroad allows you to share a meaningful experience with Illinois peers while exploring a new culture. You’ll earn credit toward your IB major, stay on track to graduate, and expand your academic and global perspective, strengthening future medical or graduate school applications.
Integrative Biology Alumni Mentors
We have over 80 IB graduates, now professionals in a diverse range of fields, who are excited to talk with you about how to advance your career. All of our alumni mentors are available for conversations, Informational interviews, advice, and mentorship, depending on what is most beneficial to you.
Certificates
Certificate topics include: Biology of Global Change, Forensic Science, Infection Biology, Integrative Health, Entomology, and Computational Science & Engineering