General Biology

Quarters
Summer Open
Location
Olympia
Class Standing
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Clarissa Dirks

This program is intended to help students fulfill General Biology requirements necessary for advanced work in environmental studies and the natural sciences, yet is also suitable for those just wanting to explore biology. Those intending to focus their studies in the sciences would benefit from this offering. The program will use an in-person instruction model.

The content of the program will emphasize evolution as the framework that connects the biological sciences across scales -- from individual cells, to multi-cellular organisms, up to populations and communities of interacting organisms within ecosystems. We will explore the origins of life on Earth and the tree of life to better understand biodiversity. We will incorporate Pacific Northwest natural history to deepen our understanding of biology and focus on the process of science. We will also gain a deeper understanding of cellular and molecular biology, genetics, genomics, gene regulation, biomolecules (lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids), energetics, metabolic processes, and cellular respiration.

Lectures will be in-person, but we will use Canvas for communication and assignments. Laboratory sessions include basic microbiology techniques, microscopy, DNA restriction digestions, gel electrophoresis, plant dissections, as well as a field biology session on campus.

Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:

8 - General Biology with Laboratory

Registration

Academic Details

General Biology will prepare students for advanced programs and courses in the biological sciences such as marine biology, ecology, botany, zoology, environmental studies, natural history, molecular and cellular biology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, and much more. This program is essential and preparatory for all students who want to enter careers in healthcare or veterinary medicine.

8
25
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior

$50 required lab fee

Schedule

Summer
2026
Open
In Person (Su)

See definition of Hybrid, Remote, and In-Person instruction

Day
Schedule Details
SEM 2 E2105 - Workshop
Olympia