Admissions

Applying to Illinois State

Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today!

Applying to Illinois State

Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today!

Minimum GPA

2.50

Middle 50% GPA

2.69 - 3.22

Required Courses

Students with fewer than 45 earned hours are evaluated on collegiate coursework and grade point average.

Students with 45 hours or more completed prior to transferring must complete the following courses with a grade of C or better:

• Fundamentals of Chemistry with Lab (CHE 110/112) or General Chemistry I (CHE 140),
• Finite Math or Calculus (MAT 120 or 145) and 
• 4 hour course in Biological Sciences with Lab.

Special note to students applying with over 75 earned hours: The School of Biological Sciences normally considers students with over 75 hours only if they have appropriate prerequisites completed.

Recommended Courses

To find the course equivalencies at an Illinois community college, please review our Course Articulation Guides.

• Biological diversity (BSC 196)
• Molecular and cellular basis of life (BSC 197)
• Fundamentals of Chemistry with Lab (CHE 110/112) or General Chemistry 1 and 2 (CHE 140/141)
• Organic Chemistry with Lab (CHE 230/231)
• Physics for Science & Engineering (PHY 108 or 110)

Academic Advising

Middle 50% GPA

2.69 - 3.22

Application Period

Applications are accepted and processed only during September and February. If you plan to apply and for the spring semester, be sure to apply by the end of September in order to be considered for admission to the major. If you plan to apply for the fall semester, you must apply by the end of February.

Application Information

Current students can use the Apply to Your Program tool on My.IllinoisState.edu.

Major Requirements

For students with 45 or more earned hours: The following courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher before submitting an application to the major. CHE 110/112 or CHE 140; MAT 120 or MAT 145: a 4-hour course in Biological Sciences with lab.

Due to the progressive nature of the degree program, The School of Biological Sciences does not typically admit students who have completed 75 hours or more to the Biological Sciences Major. Please plan accordingly and apply before you have earned 75 credits in order to be considered for admission to the major. Students who have majored in disciplines which require similar first and second year courses, such as Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Chemistry or Medical Lab Sciences, or students who transferred as Undeclared students but took Biology, Chemistry and Physics at their community colleges will be considered on a case by case basis.

Freshmen interested in applying to the major can do so during the spring of their freshman year once their first semester grades have been posted. Applicants will be notified in time to register for the fall of their sophomore year.

Academic Advising