The biology, society, and environment program (BSE), housed in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Society, is a multidisciplinary biology program in the College of Liberal Arts (CLA). Majors in the program take courses in the biological, environmental, and social sciences and humanities throughout the University and frequently choose a focus on either human or environmental biology. An extensive and rigorous curriculum reflects the breadth of subject matter and learning experiences vital to ensuring graduating students have maximum opportunities for employment in today’s job market and are particularly well-prepared to successfully apply to various graduate and professional programs. Major requirements are quite flexible: students are encouraged to tailor elective course options around an intellectual goal or a topical theme; for example, students have combined a specialization in human biology with a thematic focus on health policy or bioethics. Others have combined plant ecology with a focus on global environmental solutions or history of science. Still others have studied evolutionary biology through an analytic lens focusing on science and culture. Many of our students also choose their coursework in preparation for the entrance exam to a health professional degree program and to complete any necessary prerequisite courses. Students receive comprehensive training in biology, chemistry, math, and physics. They are also exposed to questions about the relevance of biology to social, environmental, and health-related problems from the various perspectives offered in the biosciences, social sciences, and humanities. The elective courses allow students to explore and deepen their understanding of biological and social systems, and their intersections. Required and elective courses in the curriculum offer individual students the opportunity to study scientific practices and social and environmental problems. Just as importantly, students have the opportunity to: • Develop critical thinking skills and creative approaches to understanding such practices and problems using an array of conceptual and theoretical frameworks, • Consider the ethical issues inherent to both practices and problems and, of course, solutions, • Enhance their ability to communicate, particularly through writing, • Work as a team member to bridge disciplinary and institutional divisions. Students are strongly encouraged to carry out independent research appropriate to the student’s intellectual, career, and professional development goals. The capstone, required of all CLA majors, offers a unique learning experience because it allows individuals to work with faculty members in their laboratories and in the field across the University of Minnesota’s colleges and schools. Some students complete a formal Senior Thesis in the History of Medicine or select a wide variety of research topics, others complete professional grade posters, deliver oral presentations, or produce innovative original works that cross disciplinary divides.

CLA BA degrees require 18 upper division (3xxx-level or higher) credits outside the major designator. These credits must be taken in designators different from the major designator and cannot include courses that are cross-listed with the major designator. The major designator for the Biology, Society, and Environment BA is BSE. The major curriculum includes courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. A given course may only count towards one major requirement. At least 18 upper division credits in the major must be taken at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus. This includes 9 credits of biosciences and 9 credits of science and society. All incoming CLA freshmen must complete the First-Year Experience course sequence.