How to Apply to Biology at Miami University (Ohio): Biology, Botany and Zoology Majors with B.A. and B.S. Degrees, Biochemistry in the Chemistry Department, Optional Test Scores, and Admission and Prerequisites for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

Miami University is in Oxford, Ohio, and is a different school from the University of Miami in Florida. Undergraduate biology is taught mainly by the Department of Biology in the College of Arts and Science; the biochemistry major sits in the same college’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Below is what the university pages, the two department sites and the Department of Biology’s handbook for majors say, organized for US domestic applicants, international applicants, applicants from China and transfer students. Medicine, nursing, pharmacy and public health are outside this guide; see the university website. The college’s department list also shows a separate Department of Microbiology, whose pages were not read.

1. Degrees, majors and how admission works

• Three majors, two degrees: the department says its undergraduate majors are Biology, Botany and Zoology, each available as a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.). The department describes Biology as the most general major, with advanced classes on a wide variety of organisms and recommended for a broad perspective; Zoology as chosen by many students seeking health professions or studying animals or environmental sciences; and Botany as chosen by many students seeking careers in environmental assessment, agriculture or horticulture. It also says Zoology is the major of choice for students attending medical school, accounting for about two-thirds of Miami’s premedical graduates; this is the department’s own statement.
• B.A. versus B.S. in the handbook (the PDF handbook for majors linked from the department site; it says the university bulletin is the official statement of requirements, and the bulletin was not read): the B.A. is more flexible, for students who want more courses outside the natural sciences, and all university and college liberal-education requirements apply. The B.S. has more specific science requirements and fewer college requirements; the handbook calls it more appropriate for students going on to graduate school and says students heading to health professions may find it a better fit.
• B.A. requirements (Biology major): BIO 115 and 116; at least 24 semester hours of advanced (200-level and above) biology, including three of BIO 203, 209, 342 and either 204 or 206, at least one advanced course with a laboratory component and one 400-level course; 17 related hours including one year of chemistry with lab and one semester of statistics; at least a 2.00 GPA in the major; plus the college’s writing requirement. Zoology B.A. also has 24 advanced hours but no specified courses; Botany B.A. has 22.
• B.S. requirements (Biology major): BIO 115 and 116; 32 advanced hours including BIO 203, 204 or 206, 209 and 342, at least two advanced courses with a laboratory component, an advanced microbiology course and a 400-level course of three or more credits; related courses of at least 18 hours of chemistry (general and organic with labs), PHY 161 (4 hours) and at least 8 hours of math and statistics (one statistics and one calculus course). Zoology B.S. has 28 advanced hours including BIO 203, 209, 305 and 342, with PHY 161 and 162; Botany B.S. has 28 advanced hours with required course groups. The handbook gives a 124-hour graduation total. These come from the handbook; check course numbers and hours against the current bulletin.
• Five areas of focus (department home page): Organismal and Conservation Biology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Environmental Biology; Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Biology and Genetics; Physiology, Anatomy and Neurobiology; and Plant Biology. Each has a curriculum-guide PDF, which was not read.
• Co-majors and minors: co-majors commonly paired with biology are Energy, Environmental Science, Neuroscience, Premedical Studies and Sustainability; minors are Horticulture, Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience and Global Perspectives on Sustainability. The handbook says the Premedical Studies co-major adds only about two credit hours to a normal premedical curriculum and is not required for medical school applications. It also says you cannot double major in Biology and Botany or Biology and Zoology, but you can in Botany and Zoology.
• Biochemistry: the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers a Biochemistry B.S. and B.A. Its page says the B.S. was created in accord with American Chemical Society guidelines, is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and includes numerous biological science courses, for students who want to become professional scientists; it has Pre-health Sciences and Biotechnology and Computational Modeling focus areas, while the B.A. has a Bioengineering focus and can be taken on a teaching-certification track. The page says both degrees match well with the university’s Pre-Med co-major. The department also has a combined B.S./M.S. of about five years; see its page for the requirements.
• Department honors: see section 7.
• How you are admitted: you apply to the university. The first-year pages read do not say whether the biology majors have their own admission standard or capacity limit, or how students declare or move into them after enrolling; not published. The handbook says you get a default departmental advisor in your first semester and a permanent advisor near the end of the first year, and transfer students go to the department office for an advisor; contact bioadvising@MiamiOH.edu.

2. Prerequisites and AP/IB credit

• High school curriculum: the admissions page expects English 4 years, math 4 years, natural science 3 years (at least one of physical science and one of biological science), social science 3 years, foreign language 2 years and fine arts 1 year, and says most applicants exceed these minimums. Whether the biology majors need extra high school biology, chemistry or math is not stated on the admissions or department pages read.
• First-year courses: the handbook’s typical schedule has BIO 115/116 and a year of general chemistry (CHM 141, 142 with labs) in year one, organic chemistry and 200-level biology from year two, and physics in year three; it adds that first-semester students have an advisor through BIO 147.
• Math placement: all new students take Miami’s math placement test before orientation; ACT/SAT scores together with the test inform the math placement conversation at course registration.
• AP and IB credit: the admissions page says AP credit is evaluated by the Registrar by score and subject, with details in the university bulletin (not read); IB credit goes to IB diploma graduates with at least a 5 on Standard Level or at least a 4 on Higher Level examinations. Scores must be sent directly to the Registrar, usually arrive in summer, and the credit hours carry no tuition charge. The handbook says one term of introductory biology can be earned through AP for the B.A., and one or two terms through AP or IB for the B.S., but students should check with an advisor whether to take the whole introductory sequence anyway; the department does not offer proficiency exams.
• Typical pre-health basics (listed in the handbook): one year of English; one year of college chemistry with lab (CHM 141, 142, 144, 145); one year of organic chemistry with lab (CHM 241, 242, 244, 245); one year of physics with lab (PHY 161 and 162, or 191 and 192); one year of introductory biology with lab (BIO/MBI 115, 116); and one semester of calculus and/or statistics.
• Undergraduate research and internship credit: the handbook says students can shadow another student in a lab, hold paid lab work where funds exist, or earn credit through BIO 320 (research, 1–3 credits), BIO 177/277/377/477 (independent study, 1–5 credits, credit/no credit) and, for seniors, BIO 419.R (independent research capstone, 3 credits); about 3–4 research hours a week earns one credit. Off-campus internships can earn BIO 340 credit with a signed agreement and approval from the chair and dean before starting, and summer or winter BIO 340 credit is charged tuition. Only three credits in total from these courses can count toward the advanced hours of the major.

3. Deadlines and materials (first-year; domestic applicants)

• Fall deadlines (the first-year table on the admissions dates page; it prints no year, so check that it applies to fall 2027): Early Decision (binding) 1 November, decision 1 December, confirm by 15 January; Early Action I (non-binding) 1 November, decision 15 December, confirm by 1 May; Early Action II 1 December, decision 1 February; Regular Decision 1 February, decision 15 March, confirm by 1 May.
• 1 December is the priority deadline for most merit scholarships and for the most competitive programs (Honors College, nursing, majors in the business school); for the most selective merit award, the Presidential Fellows Scholarship, 1 December is a firm deadline.
• Materials: high school transcripts (unofficial is fine at application); at least one recommendation from a school counselor or an academic teacher (a science teacher is not specifically required); the Common App or Coalition application; SAT/ACT scores optional. The review page lists the essay, GPA and grade trends, course rigor, activities and recommendations, and the test-optional page says there are no rigid GPA requirements. Some College of Creative Arts majors need a portfolio or audition, which are not relevant here.
• Application fee: the dates and first-year pages say USD 50, waived with the “Miami Fee Waiver” when applying by 1 December; the cost page says no application fee for applications before 1 December.
• High school curriculum: English 4 years; math 4 years; natural science 3 years including at least one year of physical science and one of biological science; social science 3 years including one of history; foreign language 2 years in the same language; fine arts 1 year. The page says most applicants exceed these minimums.
• Testing (optional): Miami reviews applications holistically without scores; if you submit them, both ACT and SAT are superscored. The first-year middle 50% shown on the test-optional page: GPA 3.62 to 4.22, ACT composite 25 to 31, SAT 1220 to 1390 (the page does not say which entering class). Beginning in 2026-27, students who want to be considered for the Presidential Fellows Scholarship must submit scores. After admission, all new undergraduates must take Miami’s math placement test before orientation.
• Choosing or changing majors: the first-year pages read do not say how a major is chosen on the application or what conditions apply to declaring chemistry or biology-related majors after enrolling; not published. Ask admissions (513-529-2531) or the department.
• Honors College: applicants can state interest in the Honors College on the application; the pages say admission to the Honors College, nursing and the business school is highly competitive.

4. US domestic applicants

• Costs: 2026-27 estimates (based on actual costs for students entering in 2026-27): tuition and fees USD 18,890 for Ohio and reciprocal residents and USD 42,882 for non-Ohio residents; housing and food USD 17,668 (weighted average); totals USD 36,558 and USD 60,550. The page says costs are subject to change, and some courses such as labs may carry extra fees listed in the course information.
• Tuition Promise: Miami’s Tuition Promise says most costs (tuition, housing, food, special purpose fees and course fees) are frozen for up to four years.
• Ohio Guaranteed Admission: Ohio high school seniors in the top 5% of their class who apply by the published deadlines with all materials are guaranteed admission to the Oxford main campus and are likely to qualify for the state’s Governor’s Merit Scholarship; those in the top 10% are guaranteed admission to the Miami system, including regional campuses and online. Admission to a specific major is not guaranteed, and the page says the process is under review by the state and subject to change.
• Scholarships and aid: students who apply by 1 December are automatically considered for most merit scholarships. The FAFSA date is given two ways: 1 February on the dates page and 15 February on the cost page.

5. International applicants

• Deadlines (international page; no year printed, so check it applies to fall 2027): priority deadline 1 December (rolling decisions, confirm by 1 May); international regular decision 1 April (may be extended if space remains); spring entry 1 December. Scholarships and the Honors College are considered on the 1 December priority date.
• How to apply and fee: use the Common App or Miami’s own International Application (no essay required). The international page says the application fee is USD 70, with a waiver described for applications by 1 April for fall 2026; check the terms for 2027.
• Materials: all secondary school records from grade 9 (final official transcripts and proof of graduation before enrolling); external examination results (IGCSE, GCE, WASSCE, KCSE and so on) if you finished secondary school two or more years ago; proof of English proficiency; a copy of your passport or national ID; the Financial Estimate Form on the applicant status page after applying; and, for an I-20, a Financial Support Form with a bank statement dated no more than a year before your intended entry (tax returns and employment letters are not accepted). SAT/ACT are optional but can be used to meet the English requirement; a recommendation is optional.
• English (direct admission standard): TOEFL iBT 80 before January 2026 or 4.0 from January 2026 (Home and Paper editions included), TOEFL Essentials 9, IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 110, PTE Academic 53, Oxford English Language Level Test 7, SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 550, ACT English 21, Michigan English Test 52, iTEP 3.8, and more, plus a table of national exams. Exemptions: citizens of a listed set of countries (including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada except Quebec, Singapore and Ireland); equivalent English composition at another US institution; enrollment in AP English Language or Literature; IB English A (HL or SL) within a full IB program; three or more years at a US or Canadian high school.
• Costs: the cost page has no separate international column, only Ohio/reciprocal and non-Ohio residents (section 4). Scholarships are below.
• International Merit Scholarship (the page is headed for incoming students, fall 2027): new first-year international students with a US-equivalent GPA of 2.50 or higher who meet admission requirements are automatically considered, with no separate application and no SAT/ACT required. By equivalent GPA: 3.25+ (IB 36+) up to 50% of tuition; 3.00–3.24 (IB 32–35) up to 40%; 2.75–2.99 (IB 29–31) up to 30%; 2.50–2.74 (IB 25–28) up to 20%. Priority goes to applications by 1 December; renewal needs full-time enrollment and a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Others listed: the Presidential Fellows Program (15 Honors College students a year; tuition, fees, housing and food for four years plus a one-time USD 5,000 enrichment stipend; apply by 1 December; test scores required), the #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship (two a year, at least 50% of tuition; apply on the status page after admission, by 1 January) and the Honors College’s Prodesse Scholarship (USD 1,000 to 2,000 a year).

6. Applicants from China

• Gaokao use: the only mention is in the English-proficiency table: a Gaokao English subject score of 125/150 or 100/120 meets the direct-admission standard. How the overall Gaokao score is used is not published on the pages read; ask admissions (513-529-2531, admission@MiamiOH.edu).
• Transcripts and materials: applicants from China follow the international requirements (section 5): all records from grade 9, proof of graduation, English proof, a passport copy and the Financial Estimate Form. No China-specific guidance appears on the pages read.
• Testing: SAT/ACT are optional and can also meet the English requirement (SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 550 or ACT English 21).

7. Department programs and outcomes

• Departmental Honors (handbook): a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher in all BIO courses; a biology faculty member who agrees to supervise; five credit hours of independent work including at least one hour of BIO 491 and three hours from BIO 277, 320, 377, 477 or 419.R; an Honors thesis approved by the advisor and a second faculty reader; and a public presentation at the Undergraduate Research Forum or another suitable venue. The program should be started no later than the spring of junior year.
• Department awards: the handbook says the faculty may vote each year to give several monetary awards to majors with a strong record and service or research, some limited to premedical or pre-veterinary students; a list is available from the department office (212 Pearson Hall).
• Pre-professional advisors: the handbook lists faculty advisors for premedical, predental, physical and occupational therapy, pre-veterinary, pre-pharmacy, pre-optometry and physician assistant paths, and for graduate school.
• Outcomes: the department pages list what biology majors go on to do: pre-professional schools (medical, dental, veterinary, physical therapy and others), graduate studies, or immediate employment such as naturalist, park technician, lab technician, research technician, environmental planner or high school biology teacher. The pages read publish no graduate employment or graduate-school figures.

8. Transfer students

• Eligibility: a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.0 and good academic standing. Apply with the Common App or Miami’s own transfer application (no essay). You may declare a major when you apply; undecided applicants go into the College of Arts and Science.
• Deadlines (dates page; no year printed): fall entry, 1 August for domestic and 1 June for international transfer students; spring entry, 1 January for domestic and 1 December for international; rolling decisions. Apply as early as possible; scholarships and the Honors College are considered by the posted deadlines.
• Materials: transcripts from every institution attended, including dual-credit courses (unofficial at application, official before enrollment); a high school transcript if you have not completed 20 graded semester hours of college-level work after graduation; an optional mid-term report or instructor recommendation if you are in your first college term. The fee is USD 50; the transfer page describes a waiver for domestic transfer applicants for spring and fall 2026 who apply by 1 April, so check whether it continues in 2027.
• Programs with limited transfer admission: the transfer page lists them (including journalism, media and culture, speech pathology and audiology, strategic communication, architecture, music, theatre, education programs and the business school majors); biology, botany, zoology and biochemistry are not on the list.
• Honors College and Ohio pathway: Honors College transfer admission needs a 3.75 cumulative college GPA and the intent to enroll at Miami for at least two years; applicants who complete the Ohio Transfer 36 and an associate’s degree at an Ohio public institution receive preferential consideration.
• Credit: the university offers the Transferology online tool and a transfer credit evaluation (transfercrediteval@MiamiOH.edu); for non-US institutions, send transcripts and course descriptions or syllabi, and the academic departments decide course by course. The handbook says transfer students go to the department office (212 Pearson Hall) to be assigned an advisor.
• International transfer students: the same English proof applies; a mid-term report may be emailed in the first term.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• Apply by 1 November (ED or EA I), 1 December (EA II; scholarship priority) or 1 February (RD) and state your biology interest; SAT/ACT optional; file financial aid by the FAFSA date; confirm the current degree requirements with a departmental advisor

International applicants:

• Apply by 1 December for scholarship priority; English proof (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, Gaokao English and others); transcripts; passport copy; Financial Estimate Form; SAT/ACT optional

Applicants from China:

• The Gaokao English subject can serve as English proof; how the overall score is used is not published, so ask admissions; the rest follows the international requirements

Transfer students:

• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher; fall entry 1 August (domestic) or 1 June (international), check the year; get an advisor from the department office; use Transferology or email for a credit evaluation

Sources: Miami University, College of Arts and Science; College: departments and centers; Department of Biology; Biology: majors, minors and more; Biology: handbook for majors (PDF); Chemistry and Biochemistry: undergraduate programs; Chemistry and Biochemistry: biochemistry; First-year application requirements; High school curriculum; Application review; Test-optional FAQs; Ohio Guaranteed Admission Program; International application requirements; International eligibility; English proficiency; Transfer application requirements; Additional transfer requirements; Undergraduate deadlines; Transferable credit; AP, IB and CLEP credit; Cost of attendance; International scholarships. Several of these pages state no year or refer to 2026; check Miami University’s website for the latest and confirm the dates and fees apply to fall 2027 entry. The online bulletin was not read, so confirm the current full biology major requirements there.