In the BS, combined biology and political science degree program, science courses lay the groundwork for strong basic training in mathematics, chemistry, and physics that are relevant to biology. In biology courses, students broadly explore the organization and processes of life—from molecules and cells through organs and organ systems to populations, ecosystems, and evolution. In political science courses, students pursue core concepts of American government, comparative politics, international relations and political thought. Coursework in quantitative techniques is also required. Students choose from a range of advanced subject electives. An appreciation of the intersection of biology and political science is provided through advanced courses in science, technology and public policy, and in environmental politics and policy.
Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.
University-Wide Requirements
All undergraduate students are required to complete the University-Wide Requirements.
NUpath Requirements
All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.
Biology Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to College | ||
| BIOL 1000 | Biology at Northeastern | 1 |
| or POLS 1000 | Political Science at Northeastern | |
| Biology | ||
| Foundations | ||
| BIOL 1107 and BIOL 1108 | Foundations of Biology and Lab for BIOL 1107 | 5 |
| Inquiries | ||
| BIOL 2299 | Inquiries in Biological Sciences | 4 |
| Genetics | ||
| BIOL 2301 and BIOL 2302 | Genetics and Molecular Biology and Lab for BIOL 2301 | 5 |
| Project Lab | ||
| BIOL 2309 | Biology Project Lab | 4 |
| Biochemistry | ||
| BIOL 3611 and BIOL 3612 | Biochemistry and Lab for BIOL 3611 | 5 |
| Intermediate/Advanced Biology | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 4-5 | |
BIOL 2327 to BIOL 3999 | ||
BIOL 4705 to BIOL 5999 | ||
| Organismal and Population Biology Elective | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Human Parasitology | ||
| Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Current Topics in Organismal and Population Biology | ||
| Microbiology and Lab for BIOL 3421 | ||
| Ecology and Lab for EEMB 2302 | ||
| Introduction to Evolution | ||
| Marine Biology and Lab for EEMB 2700 | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Mathematics | ||
| MATH 1251 | Calculus and Differential Equations for Biology 1 | 4 |
| Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| CHEM 1161 and CHEM 1162 and CHEM 1163 | General Chemistry for Science Majors and Lab for CHEM 1161 and Recitation for CHEM 1161 | 5 |
| Organic Chemistry | ||
| CHEM 2311 and CHEM 2312 | Organic Chemistry 1 and Lab for CHEM 2311 | 5 |
| CHEM 2313 and CHEM 2314 | Organic Chemistry 2 and Lab for CHEM 2313 | 5 |
| Physics | ||
| PHYS 1145 and PHYS 1146 | Physics for Life Sciences 1 and Lab for PHYS 1145 | 5 |
| PHYS 1147 and PHYS 1148 | Physics for Life Sciences 2 and Lab for PHYS 1147 | 5 |
Political Science Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses in Political Science | ||
| POLS 1150 | American Government | 4 |
| POLS 1155 | Comparative Politics | 4 |
| POLS 1160 | International Relations | 4 |
| Statistics | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Quantitative Techniques | ||
| Biostatistics and Lab for ENVR 2500 | ||
| Political Thought | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 4 | |
| Modern Political Thought | ||
| Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Contemporary Political Thought | ||
| Political Science Elective | ||
| Complete five POLS courses 2000 and above. | 20 | |
Political Science Concentration (Optional)
If you are working toward one of the following concentrations, declare it with your adviser so that it may be added to your record.
- American Political Institutions
- Campaigns and Elections
- Comparative Politics
- Identity, Culture, and Politics
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Law and Legal Studies
- Public Policy
- Security Studies
Integrative Requirement and Capstone
Note: Science, Technology, and Public Policy (POLS 2390) and Environmental Politics and Policy (POLS 2395) cannot be used both as an integrative course and as an elective above.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Integrative Requirement | ||
| POLS 2390 | Science, Technology, and Public Policy | 4 |
| or POLS 2395 | Environmental Politics and Policy | |
| Capstone | ||
| Complete one of the following to fulfill capstone requirement: | 1-4 | |
| Biology Capstone | ||
| Biology Research Capstone (concurrent with BIOL 4991, which may be used toward Intermediate/Advanced Biology) | ||
| Junior/Senior Honors Project 2 | ||
| Political Science Senior Capstone | ||
Experiential Liberal Arts
All undergraduate students in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities are required to complete the Experiential Liberal Arts Requirement.
Program Requirement
136 total semester hours required
Concentration in American Political Institutions
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete four of the following: | 16 | |
| State and Local Politics | ||
| The U.S. Congress | ||
| Judicial Process and Behavior | ||
| Public Policy and Administration | ||
| Public Opinion, Voting, and Elections | ||
| Campaign Strategy | ||
Concentration in Campaigns and Elections
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| POLS 3160 | Campaign Strategy | 4 |
| POLS 3302 | Judicial Process and Behavior | 4 |
| Campaigns and Elections Electives | ||
| If POLS 4947 was replaced by a co-op or internship, an additional elective must be taken. | ||
| Complete two of the following: | 8 | |
| Urban Policies and Politics | ||
| State and Local Politics | ||
| Intergovernmental Relations | ||
| Public Opinion, Voting, and Elections | ||
| Politics and Mass Media | ||
| Presidential Nominating Process | ||
Concentration in Comparative Politics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theoretical Requirement | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 4 | |
| Religion and Politics | ||
| Nationalism | ||
| Revolution, Civil War, and Insurrection | ||
| Politics of Developing Nations | ||
| Regional Requirements | ||
| Complete two of the following: | 8 | |
| Politics and Governance of Europe and the European Union | ||
| Government and Politics in the Middle East | ||
| Arab-Israeli Conflict | ||
| Experiential/Practicum Requirement | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 4 | |
| Model Arab League | ||
| Model NATO | ||
| Dialogue of Civilizations: Government and Politics Abroad | ||
Concentration in Identity, Culture, and Politics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Course | ||
| POLS 3418 | Nationalism | 4 |
| Electives | ||
| Complete three of the following: | 12 | |
| Music and Politics in America and Abroad | ||
| Religion and Politics | ||
| Gender and Politics | ||
| Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Public Policy | ||
| Law and Society | ||
Concentration in International Relations and Diplomacy
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Experiential/Practicum Requirement | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 4 | |
| Model United Nations | ||
| Model Arab League | ||
| Dialogue of Civilizations: International Politics Abroad | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| Complete three of the following: | 12 | |
| International Political Economy | ||
| International Law | ||
| International Security | ||
| Politics and Governance of Europe and the European Union | ||
| Arab-Israeli Conflict | ||
Concentration in Law and Legal Studies
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete four of the following: | 16 | |
| American Political Thought | ||
| The U.S. Congress | ||
| Judicial Process and Behavior | ||
| Law and Society | ||
| International Law | ||
| Global Governance | ||
| U.S. Constitutional Law | ||
| U.S. Civil Liberties | ||
Concentration in Public Policy
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirement | ||
| POLS 3307 | Public Policy and Administration | 4 |
| Electives | ||
| Complete three of the following: | 12 | |
| Budgeting and Taxation | ||
| Business and Government | ||
| Urban Policies and Politics | ||
| State and Local Politics | ||
| Growth and Decline of Cities and Suburbs | ||
| Science, Technology, and Public Policy | ||
| Environmental Politics and Policy | ||
| U.S. Foreign Policy | ||
Concentration in Security Studies
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete four of the following: | 16 | |
| International Security | ||
| U.S. National Security Policy | ||
| Terrorism and Counterterrorism | ||
| U.S. Foreign Policy | ||
| Revolution, Civil War, and Insurrection | ||
| Arab-Israeli Conflict | ||
| Politics of Developing Nations | ||