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Academic Catalog 2021-2022

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  • Biology and Political Science, BS

Biology and Political Science, BS

2021-2022 Edition

  • Undergraduate
    • Admission
    • Information for Entering Students
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    • University Academics
    • College of Arts, Media and Design
    • D'Amore-​McKim School of Business
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    • College of Science
      • Behavioral Neuroscience
      • Biochemistry
      • Biology
        • Biology, BS
        • Cell and Molecular Biology, BS
        • Biology and English, BS
        • Biology and Mathematics, BS
        • Biology and Political Science, BS
        • Computer Science and Biology, BS
        • Data Science and Biology, BS
        • Cell and Molecular Biology, Minor
        • Biology, Minor
      • Chemistry and Chemical Biology
      • Linguistics
      • Marine and Environmental Sciences
      • Mathematics
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      • Psychology
      • Interdisciplinary
      • Accelerated Bachelor/​Graduate Degree Programs
    • College of Social Sciences and Humanities
    • Faculty
    • Appendix
  • College of Professional Studies Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Course Descriptions
  • Catalog Archives
  • Overview
  • Program Requirements

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

Course List
Code Title Hours
Introduction to College
BIOL 1000Biology at Northeastern1
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 2299Inquiries in Biological Sciences4
Genetics
BIOL 2301
and BIOL 2302
Genetics and Molecular Biology
and Lab for BIOL 2301
5
Project Lab
BIOL 2309Biology Project Lab4
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
BIOL 2327
Human Parasitology
BIOL 3401
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
BIOL 3403
Animal Behavior
BIOL 3413
Current Topics in Organismal and Population Biology
BIOL 3421
and BIOL 3422
Microbiology
and Lab for BIOL 3421
EEMB 2302
and EEMB 2303
Ecology
and Lab for EEMB 2302
EEMB 2400
Introduction to Evolution
EEMB 2700
and EEMB 2701
Marine Biology
and Lab for EEMB 2700
EEMB 3460
Conservation Biology
Mathematics
MATH 1251Calculus and Differential Equations for Biology 14
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

Course List
Code Title Hours
Core Courses in Political Science
POLS 1150American Government4
POLS 1155Comparative Politics4
POLS 1160International Relations4
Statistics
Complete one of the following:4-5
POLS 2400
Quantitative Techniques
ENVR 2500
and ENVR 2501
Biostatistics
and Lab for ENVR 2500
Political Thought
Complete one of the following:4
POLS 2328
Modern Political Thought
POLS 2325
Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought
POLS 2330
American Political Thought
POLS 2332
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.

Course List
Code Title Hours
Integrative Requirement
POLS 2390Science, Technology, and Public Policy4
or POLS 2395 Environmental Politics and Policy
Capstone
Complete one of the following to fulfill capstone requirement:1-4
BIOL 4701
Biology Capstone
BIOL 4900
Biology Research Capstone (concurrent with BIOL 4991, which may be used toward Intermediate/Advanced Biology)
BIOL 4971
Junior/Senior Honors Project 2
POLS 4701
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

Course List
Code Title Hours
Complete four of the following:16
POLS 2350
State and Local Politics
POLS 3300
The U.S. Congress
POLS 3302
Judicial Process and Behavior
POLS 3307
Public Policy and Administration
POLS 3310
Public Opinion, Voting, and Elections
POLS 3160
Campaign Strategy

 

Concentration in Campaigns and Elections

Course List
Code Title Hours
Required Courses
POLS 3160Campaign Strategy4
POLS 3302Judicial Process and Behavior4
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
POLS 2345
Urban Policies and Politics
POLS 2350
State and Local Politics
POLS 2355
Intergovernmental Relations
POLS 3310
Public Opinion, Voting, and Elections
POLS 3320
Politics and Mass Media
POLS 3304
Presidential Nominating Process

 

Concentration in Comparative Politics

Course List
Code Title Hours
Theoretical Requirement
Complete one of the following:4
POLS 2370
Religion and Politics
POLS 3418
Nationalism
POLS 3430
Revolution, Civil War, and Insurrection
POLS 3487
Politics of Developing Nations
Regional Requirements
Complete two of the following:8
POLS 3435
Politics and Governance of Europe and the European Union
POLS 3465
Government and Politics in the Middle East
POLS 3470
Arab-Israeli Conflict
Experiential/Practicum Requirement
Complete one of the following:4
POLS 4915
Model Arab League
POLS 4918
Model NATO
POLS 4937
Dialogue of Civilizations: Government and Politics Abroad

 

Concentration in Identity, Culture, and Politics 

Course List
Code Title Hours
Core Course
POLS 3418Nationalism4
Electives
Complete three of the following:12
POLS 2368
Music and Politics in America and Abroad
POLS 2370
Religion and Politics
POLS 2375
Gender and Politics
POLS 3309
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Public Policy
POLS 3324
Law and Society

Concentration in International Relations and Diplomacy

Course List
Code Title Hours
Experiential/Practicum Requirement
Complete one of the following:4
POLS 4910
Model United Nations
POLS 4915
Model Arab League
POLS 4938
Dialogue of Civilizations: International Politics Abroad
Core Courses
Complete three of the following:12
POLS 3405
International Political Economy
POLS 3406
International Law
POLS 3408
International Security
POLS 3435
Politics and Governance of Europe and the European Union
POLS 3470
Arab-Israeli Conflict

Concentration in Law and Legal Studies

Course List
Code Title Hours
Complete four of the following:16
POLS 2330
American Political Thought
POLS 3300
The U.S. Congress
POLS 3302
Judicial Process and Behavior
POLS 3324
Law and Society
POLS 3406
International Law
POLS 3409
Global Governance
POLS 4500
U.S. Constitutional Law
POLS 4505
U.S. Civil Liberties

 

Concentration in Public Policy

Course List
Code Title Hours
Core Requirement
POLS 3307Public Policy and Administration4
Electives
Complete three of the following:12
POLS 2335
Budgeting and Taxation
POLS 2340
Business and Government
POLS 2345
Urban Policies and Politics
POLS 2350
State and Local Politics
POLS 2357
Growth and Decline of Cities and Suburbs
POLS 2390
Science, Technology, and Public Policy
POLS 2395
Environmental Politics and Policy
POLS 3425
U.S. Foreign Policy

 

Concentration in Security Studies

Course List
Code Title Hours
Complete four of the following:16
POLS 3408
International Security
POLS 3420
U.S. National Security Policy
POLS 3423
Terrorism and Counterterrorism
POLS 3425
U.S. Foreign Policy
POLS 3430
Revolution, Civil War, and Insurrection
POLS 3470
Arab-Israeli Conflict
POLS 3487
Politics of Developing Nations
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