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ⓕ Answers — BSCI180 Lab

Principles Biology Lab coming Fall 2026.

Basic laboratory principles of biology with special emphasis on ecological, evolutionary, cellular, molecular, and computational biology.

  • It depends.

    If you received a 4 or 5 on the AP Bio exam (or 6-7 on the HL IB Bio exam) and the credit for BSCI161 and BSCI171 has already been listed on your transcript, then you do not need to take BSCI180. 

    However, incoming freshman and transfer students will no longer receive credit for BSCI161 and BSCI171 via the AP or IB exams. These students will need to complete BSCI180, if required by their major. 

    Students with sufficient scores (AP: 4-5; IB HL: 6-7) will still earn credit for the lecture courses, BSCI160 and BSCI170, as well as credit for a DSNL GenEd. 

  • No.

    BSCI161 and BSCI171 will continue to satisfy prerequisites. However, you are encouraged to take BSCI180 as it introduces new skills, such as coding. 

  • Yes.

    BSCI180 is a new, distinct course, so it will not count against your repeat credit limit. 

  • While it will not be offered Summer 2026, the program plans to offer BSCI180 in future summer sessions.

  • Yes.

    BSCI180 is replacing both BSCI171 and BSCI161. If your major required either BSCI161 or BSCI171, then you should take BSCI180. If your major required both of the discontinued courses, then you should also take BSCI180.

  • No.

    To enroll in BSCI180 you need to have completed either BSCI170 or BSCI160 with a C- or better.

  • If you do not already have credit for BSCI171, then you should plan to take BSCI180 to fulfill the prerequisite.

    If you have already completed BSCI171, then that will continue to satisfy the prerequisite. All course prerequisites will be updated to indicate that the original prerequisite labs (BSCI161 and/orBSCI171) OR BSCI180 is sufficient.

  • Yes.

    If you are missing credit for either BSCI171 or BSCI161, then you will need to take BSCI180 to satisfy the prerequisite.

  • Students can search the Schedule of Classes (SOC) for courses that satisfy DSNL credit. Alternatively, students can still take BSCI160 and then take BSCI180 in a subsequent semester to complete the general education lab requirement. 

    If you have further questions, please reach out to your academic advisor or college student services office to understand how these changes apply to your major and/or your graduation plan.