This option is available within the Biology major at the following location:

• Corvallis

The Biology major Physiology and Behavior option is designed to provide a rigorous foundation in the comparative physiology and behavior of animals. Core biological sciences from the Biology major are coupled with course work in behavior, physiology and organismal biology. Undergraduate research or internship experience is strongly recommended for option students, and three credits can be applied to the electives for the option. The Physiology and Behavior option provides excellent preparation for graduate programs in animal behavior, physiology and other areas of organismal biology.

Option Code: 743

Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:

• Explain and apply the fundamental concepts of the biological sciences, including biochemistry, cell and molecular biology and genetics; physiology and organismal biology; and ecology and evolution.
• Identify and access information (from primary literature and other relevant works) for a particular topic and evaluate the scientific content and context of these sources.
• Generate relevant and testable scientific questions, formulate testable hypotheses, and identify measurable predictions based on observations or previous research.
• Design and implement observational or experimental investigations to collect relevant data, and employ appropriate analytical methods to analyze that data.
• Interpret data and/or observations to support or refute hypotheses, draw conclusions, put findings in the context of current scientific knowledge and literature, and/or suggest future avenues of research.
• Use effective formal and informal communication (i.e., written, oral, graphical, multimedia) to convey scientific information in ways that are appropriate for scientific and non-scientific audiences for a particular topic and evaluating the scientific content and context of these sources.
• Integrate and analyze information within and across spatial and temporal scales as well as levels of biological organization.
• Identify, reflect upon, and evaluate assumptions, biases, and alternative hypotheses or interpretations for their own scientific claims or those of others.
• Justify the importance of science and science literacy for individuals and society.
• Integrate biology with other disciplines to make evidence-based decisions on socio-scientific issues.
• Explain how biases and societal factors affect the processes of science (and vice versa), access to participation in science, and the differential outcomes and impacts (both positive and negative) of science on individuals.
• Explain and justify the ethical standards of their discipline, evaluate the ethics of published science, and articulate their personal code of ethics.
• Use effective and appropriate forms of collaboration.
• Produce a self-assessment of interpersonal and academic behaviors needed to achieve their individual career goals.

Options in the Biology major require 20 or fewer additional credits beyond the basic Biology major, and most students can complete the additional course work in the Physiology and Behavior option in four years. Courses used to satisfy the Physiology and Behavior option requirements also satisfy the Organismal Biology, Physiology, Writing Intensive Course and Experiential Learning or Integrative Biology Elective requirements for the Biology major.

Students may not pursue either the Physiology and Behavior, Pre-Dental, Pre-Medical or Pre-Veterinary Medicine options with the Biology major—no dual combinations are permitted.

It is recommended that Physiology and Behavior option students take PH 201-PH 203. Students should also consider taking PSY 202Z which is optional but required for some of the Psychology elective courses.

For further information, see MyDegrees or the Integrative Biology website.

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Baccalaureate Core Course (BCC)

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Writing Intensive Course (WIC)

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Core Education course. Applies only to students admitted to an OSU undergraduate degree from Summer 2025 onwards

Option Code: 743