From genomics to global change, integrative biology seeks to discover the complex interrelationships between living organisms and the physical and biological environment in which they live. This is the new biology, with an emphasis on bringing multiple disciplines to bear on complex scientific questions. For students, this emphasis leads to a deep understanding of biology and its interrelationships.
The Integrative Biology major provides students with a solid preparation in genetics, evolution, anatomy, physiology, ecology, and molecular biology. After completion of the foundational 100- and core 200-300-level courses in IB, students complete the required advanced coursework by taking a variety of IB and other courses or focusing on a limited area of IB. Plans for the student's combination of advanced courses are developed in consultation with an advisor. All undergraduates in this field are required to have a strong background in the biological and physical sciences.
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First Year Students
Incoming first-year students who are interested in majoring in Integrative Biology should apply for admission to the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS) and choose biology as your intended major. During your first year you will take an introductory course in Integrative Biology (IB) and an introductory course in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB). Based on experience in both classes, you will choose a major to declare, typically during the second semester of your first year.
Transfer Students
Transfer students who are interested in majoring in Integrative Biology should apply for admission to the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS) and integrative biology as your intended major.
Minimum Admissions Requirements
GPA
It is expected that applicants to this program will have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (A = 4.0) in the required technical subjects (biology, chemistry, physics and math) and a minimum GPA of 2.7 (A= 4.0) cumulative GPA for all transfer coursework completed.
Coursework
Students With Fewer Than 50 Transferable Credit Hours at Time of Application:
If you’ll apply to Illinois with fewer than 50 transferable credit hours, you must complete transfer coursework equivalent to the following University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign courses before or during the term you’re submitting your application:
IB 103, Introduction to Plant Biology
- or IB 104, Animal Biology
- or IB 150, Organismal & Evolutionary Biology
- or MCB 150, Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life
Students With 50 or More Transferable Credit Hours at Time of Application:
If you’ll apply to Illinois with 50 or more transferable credit hours, you must complete transfer coursework equivalent to the following University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign courses before or during the term you’re submitting your application:
- CHEM 102, General Chemistry I and CHEM 103, General Chemistry Lab I
- CHEM 104, General Chemistry I and CHEM 105, General Chemistry Lab II
- IB 150, Organismal & Evolutionary Biology
- MCB 150, Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life
Admissions Recommendations
Coursework
Students With Fewer Than 50 Transferable Credit Hours at Time of Application:
If you’ll apply to Illinois after completing one year at a different institution we would highly recommend completing the following to help you stay on track for a four year graduation, if you do not complete all of the course work, you might end up taking longer than the standard four years to complete your degree:
- IB 150, Organismal & Evolutionary Biology
- MCB 150, Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life
- CHEM 102, General Chemistry I and CHEM 103, General Chemistry Lab I
- CHEM 104, General Chemistry I and CHEM 105, General Chemistry Lab II
- MATH 220, Calculus I
- RHET 105, Writing & Research (at most institutions, the equivalent requires a two-course English composition sequence)
Students With 50 or More Transferable Credit Hours at Time of Application:
If you’ll apply to Illinois after completing two years at a different institution we would highly recommend completing the following in addition to those listed above, to help you stay on track for a four year graduation, if you do not complete all of the course work, you might end up taking longer than the standard four years to complete your degree:
- CHEM 232, Elementary Organic Chemistry and CHEM 233, Elementary Organic Chem Lab I
- PHYS 101, College Physics: Mech & Heat with Lab
- PHYS 102, College Physics: E&M & Modern with Lab
- Humanities or Social Behavioral Science Gen. Ed. (Examples: Intro to Sociology or Psychology)
Parkland Pathway
Parkland Pathway is a dual-enrollment program between Parkland College and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The program is designed to facilitate a smooth junior-level transfer* to Illinois after spending two years* as a full-time, degree-seeking Parkland College student.