The undergraduate program in our school has a history of about 80 years. The students will spend four years to pursue for their Bachelor degree, studying a comprehensive set of theory and lab courses in the fields of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biological sciences.
Courses in biological sciences include the following: Plant Biology, Animal Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology Genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, Physiology, Development, Immunology, etc. Students are encouraged to enter a research laboratory usually during their second year, when they can apply for the undergraduate research fellowships funded by the University. All the students are required to conduct research and write a thesis in their fourth year of study. It is not unusual for undergraduate students to publish coauthored papers in professional journals. Some undergradute students publish coauthored papers in professional journals, which is unusual in undergraduate stage.
After finishing their undergraduate studies, many of the students may choose to continue their graduate studies home or aboard. They can also choose to find a job after this stage. The main specialized basic courses are: biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, physiology, etc.
Students can choose to concentrate on one of two majors, Biological Science or Biotechnology, as formulated by the Ministry of Education. Those two majors differ slightly in curriculum.
Our goal is to greatly promote the academic confidence of undergraduates to meet future challenges after four years’ education.
Requirements for studying towards a Bachelor degree
Requirements for studying towards a Bachelor degree in Biological Science：
| Specialty codes | Specialty Name | Length of schooling | Academic degree |
| 070401 | Biological Science | Four years | Bachelor of Science |
General Introduction
The School of Life Sciences of Peking University is a national base for higher education in biological sciences. Students will be exposed to a variety of basic theories in life sciences, advanced research methods and experimental techniques of modern biology, as well as theoretical knowledge in physical sciences. The main science courses include Advanced Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry; major-related basic courses include Cell Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Modern Biotechnology, Plant Biology, Animal Biology, Microbiology, Physiology, etc. Students are required to finish 146 credits of courses before they can apply for the bachelor degree, but individualized curriculums are also possible.
Objectives and Requirements
Students are aimed to have a solid understanding of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, in addition to that of modern biology, after a systematic study of the theoretical and laboratory courses. It is emphasized that the students are also trained in research methods and experimental techniques of biology, being able to understand, at a preliminary professional level, on the new theories and technologies developed in the field of Life Sciences. The students should also develop a high standard of academic ethics and be capable to engage in basic and application research, as well as technology development. The students should be qualified in research, teaching, scientific management and other related positions in different sectors and fields, or to pursue an advanced degree in related fields.
Credit Requirements and Curriculum
Total credits：146, which will be divided as follows.
1. Required courses: 106 credits. Including the following courses:
Public compulsory courses: 32 credits
| Course Number | Course Names | Credit Hours per week | Credit | Semesters |
| 03835061 | College English (1) | 4 | 2 | fall |
| 03835062 | College English (2) | 2 | 2 | The whole year |
| 03835063 | College English (3) | 2 | 2 | The whole year |
| 03835064 | College English (4) | 2 | 2 | The whole year |
| 04030150 | Ethics and Morality(elective for international students) | 2 | 2 |
|
| 04030170 | Introduction to Mao Zedong Thought(elective for international students) | 2 | 2 |
|
| 04031490 | Principles of Marxist Philosophy(elective for international students) | 2 | 2 |
|
| 04031340 | Principles of Marxist Political Economics(elective for international students) | 2 | 2 |
|
| 04030140 | Deng Xiao-ping Theory(elective for international students) | 2 | 2 |
|
| 01130840 | General Computation | 3 | 2 | fall |
| 01130850 | Data Structure | 3 | 3 | spring |
| 60730020 | Military Theories(elective for international students) | 2 | 2 |
|
| - | Series of Physical Education courses | - | 4 | The whole year |
Foundamental science courses: 36, in addtion to the 36credits listed bellow, students are allowed to select public foundamental science courses at least 4 credits.
| Course Number | Course Names | Credit Hours per week | Credit | Semesters |
| 00131421 | Advanced Mathematics(Ⅰ) | 4 | 4 | fall |
| 00131422 | Advanced Mathematics (Ⅱ) | 4 | 4 | spring |
| 00430001 | Physics (Ⅰ) | 4 | 4 | spring |
| 00430002 | Physics(Ⅱ) | 4 | 4 | fall |
| 00431421 | Physics Experiment | 4 | 2 | spring |
| 01035050 | General Chemistry(B) | 4 | 4 | spring |
| 01035060 | General Chemistry Experiment(B)（I） | 4 | 2 | fall |
| 01035070 | General Chemistry Experiment(B)（II） | 4 | 2 | spring |
| 01030831 | Physical Chemistry | 3 | 3 | fall |
| 01032720 | Physical Chemistry Experiment | 4 | 2 | fall |
| 01035080 | Organic Chemistry | 3 | 3 | fall |
| 01032711 | Organic Chemistry Experiment | 4 | 2 | spring |
Major compulsory courses: 38 credits
| Course Number | Course Names | Credit Hours per week | Credit | Semesters |
| 01131040 | Plant Biology | 3 | 3 | spring |
| 01131060 | Plant Biology Experiment | 3 | 1.5 | spring |
| 01131080 | Animal Biology | 3 | 3 | fall |
| 01131050 | Animal Biology Experiment | 3 | 1.5 | fall |
| 01139600 | Microbiology | 3 | 3 | fall |
| 01130070 | Microbiology Experiment | 3 | 1.5 | fall |
| 01139630 | Biochemistry(Ⅰ) | 4 | 4 | spring |
| 01130050 | Biochemistry Experiment | 5 | 2.5 | spring and fall |
| 01139610 | Basic Molecular Biology | 3 | 3 | fall |
| 01139360 | Basic Molecular Biology Experiment | 2 | 1 | spring and fall |
| 01130150 | Cell Biology | 3 | 3 | fall |
| 01130160 | Cell Biology Experiment | 2 | 1 | fall |
| 01130370 | Physiology | 3 | 3 | spring |
| 01130380 | Physiology Experiment | 2 | 1 | spring |
| 01130200 | Genetics | 3 | 3 | spring |
| 01130210 | Genetics Experiment | 2 | 1 | spring |
| 01139540 | Field Study of Biology | 2 | 1 | spring |
| 01139580 | Developmental Biology | 3 | 3 | spring |
| 01131170 | Developmental Biology experiment | 2 | 1 | spring |
2. Selective courses:34 credits
Quality education courses for all undergraduates in Peking University: 12 credits (This group of students are not required to take the courses listed in Category A)
A • Mathematics and Natural sciences: at least 2 credits
B • Social Sciences: at least 2 credits
C • Philosophy and Psychology: at least 2 credits
D • History: at least 2 credits
E • Language, Literature and Art: at least 4 credits,(students are required to take at least one art course).
Major-related selective course (belonging to Category A): at least 15 credits
| Course Number | Course Names | Credit Hours per week | Credit | Semesters |
| 01139340 | Comprehensive Biology Experiment(compulsory) | 16 | 6 | fall |
| 011311601 | Concepts and Ideas in Biology | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01139330 | Modern Biotechnology | 2 | 2 | spring |
| 01130780 | Biological Evolution | 2 | 2 | spring |
| 01130760 | Biostatistics(compulsory) | 3 | 3 | fall |
| 01130930 | General Ecology (compulsory) | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01139550 | Advanced Plant Biology (I) | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01139560 | Advanced Plant Biology(II) | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01139570 | Advanced Plant Biology Lab | 2 | 1 | fall |
| 01130130 | Immunology | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01139000 | Neurobiology | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01139441 | Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and Laboratory | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01130110 | Protein Chemistry | 2 | 2 | spring |
| 01130100 | Genetic Engineering | 2 | 2 | spring |
| 01139490 | Intensive Reading and Seminar I | 3 | 3 | spring |
| 01139491 | Intensive Reading and Seminar II | 3 | 3 | fall |
| 01139530 | Gene and behaviors | 3 | 2 | spring |
| 01139470 | Methods in Bioinformatics | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01131110 | Basics of Biochemical Pharmaceutics | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01139640 | Biopharma-engineering and regulation | 4 | 3 | fall |
| 01139590 | Biology of Cancer | 8 | 2 | summer |
| 01139650 | Brain Development and behaviors | 3 | 3 | fall |
| 01130500 | An Introduction to Human Biology | 2 | 2 | spring |
| 01130960 | Conservation Biology | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01130871 | Human Sex, Reproduction and Health | 2 | 2 | spring and fall |
| 01139380 | General Biology A | 3 | 3 | spring and fall |
| 01139360 | Laboratory Manual of General Biology | 3 | 1.5 | spring |
| 01139350 | General Biology B | 2 | 2 | spring and fall |
| 01130320 | Laboratory Manual of General Biology | 2 | 1 | fall |
Requirements for studying towards a Bachelor degree in Biotechnology
| Specialty codes | Specialty Name | Length of schooling | Academic degree |
| 070402 | Biotechnology | Four years | Bachelor of Science |
An overview
The School of Life Sciences of Peking University is the national base of higher education in biological sciences and biotechnology. Students will take mostly the identical courses as those taken by students majoring in Life Science . Students will have to finish at least 146 credits before they can apply for the bachelor degree.
Objectives and Requirements
Very similar to those for the students majoring in Biological science, except that,students are required to be exposed to more biotechnological courses, experiments and practices, as detailed below. The students should be qualified with the qualifications in research, teaching, scientific management, technology development in the field of biotechnology, or to pursue an advanced degree in related fields.
Credit Requirements and Curriculum
Total credits：146, which will be divided as follows.
1. Required courses: 106 credits. Including the following courses:
Public compulsory courses: 32 credits
| Course Number | Course Names | Credit Hours per week | Credit | Semesters |
| 03835061 | College English (1) | 4 | 2 | fall |
| 03835062 | College English (2) | 2 | 2 | The whole year |
| 03835063 | College English (3) | 2 | 2 | The whole year |
| 03835064 | College English (4) | 2 | 2 | The whole year |
| 04030150 | Ethics and Morality(elective for international students) | 2 | 2 |
|
| 04030170 | Introduction to Mao Zedong Thought(elective for international students) | 2 | 2 |
|
| 04031490 | Principles of Marxist Philosophy(elective for international students) | 2 | 2 |
|
| 04031340 | Principles of Marxist Political Economics(elective for international students) | 2 | 2 |
|
| 04030140 | Deng Xiao-ping Theory(elective for international students) | 2 | 2 |
|
| 01130840 | General Computation | 3 | 2 |
|
| 01130850 | Data Structure | 3 | 3 |
|
| 60730020 | Military Theories(elective for international students) | 2 | 2 |
|
| - | Series of Physical Education courses | - | 4 |
|
Foundamental science courses: 36, in addtion to the 36credits listed bellow, students are allowed to select public foundamental science courses at least 4 credits.
| Course Number | Course Names | Credit Hours per week | Credit | Semesters |
| 00131421 | Advanced Mathematics(Ⅰ) | 4 | 4 | fall |
| 00131422 | Advanced Mathematics (Ⅱ) | 4 | 4 | spring |
| 00430001 | Physics (Ⅰ) | 4 | 4 | spring |
| 00430002 | Physics(Ⅱ) | 4 | 4 | fall |
| 00431421 | Physics Experiment | 4 | 2 | spring |
| 01035050 | General Chemistry(B) | 4 | 4 | spring |
| 01035060 | General Chemistry Experiment(B)（I） | 4 | 2 | fall |
| 01035070 | General Chemistry Experiment(B)（II） | 4 | 2 | spring |
| 01030831 | Physical Chemistry | 3 | 3 | fall |
| 01032720 | Physical Chemistry Experiment | 4 | 2 | fall |
| 01035080 | Organic Chemistry | 3 | 3 | fall |
| 01032711 | Organic Chemistry Experiment | 4 | 2 | spring |
Major compulsory courses: 38 credits
| Course Number | Course Names | Credit Hours per week | Credit | Semesters |
| 01131040 | Plant Biology | 3 | 3 | spring |
| 01131060 | Plant Biology Experiment | 3 | 1.5 | spring |
| 01131080 | Animal Biology | 3 | 3 | fall |
| 01131050 | Animal Biology Experiment | 3 | 1.5 | fall |
| 01139600 | Microbiology | 3 | 3 | fall |
| 01130070 | Microbiology Experiment | 3 | 1.5 | fall |
| 01139630 | Biochemistry(Ⅰ) | 4 | 4 | spring |
| 01130050 | Biochemistry Experiment | 5 | 2.5 | spring and fall |
| 01139610 | Basic Molecular Biology | 3 | 3 | fall |
| 01139360 | Basic Molecular Biology Experiment | 2 | 1 | spring and fall |
| 01130150 | Cell Biology | 3 | 3 | fall |
| 01130160 | Cell Biology Experiment | 2 | 1 | fall |
| 01130370 | Physiology | 3 | 3 | spring |
| 01130380 | Physiology Experiment | 2 | 1 | spring |
| 01130200 | Genetics | 3 | 3 | spring |
| 01130210 | Genetics Experiment | 2 | 1 | spring |
| 01139540 | Field Study of Biology | 2 | 1 | spring |
| 01139580 | Developmental Biology | 3 | 3 | spring |
| 01131170 | Developmental Biology experiment | 2 | 1 | spring |
2. Selective courses:38 credits
Quality education courses for all undergraduates in Peking University: 14 credits (This group of students are not required to take the courses listed in Category A)
A •Mathematics and Natural sciences: at least 2 credits
B • Social Sciences: at least 2 credits
C • Philosophy and Psychology: at least 2 credits
D • History: at least 2 credits
E • Language, Literature and Art: at least 4 credits,(students are required to take at least one art course).
Major-related selective course (belonging to Category A): at least 15 credits
| Course Number | Course Names | Credit Hours per week | Credit | Semesters |
| 01139340 | Comprehensive Biology Experiment(compulsory) | 16 | 6 | fall |
| 011311601 | Concepts and Ideas in Biology | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01139330 | Modern Biotechnology(compulsory) | 2 | 2 | spring |
| 01130780 | Biological Evolution | 2 | 2 | spring |
| 01130760 | Biostatistics(compulsory) | 3 | 3 | fall |
| 01130930 | General Ecology (compulsory) | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01139550 | Advanced Plant Biology (I) | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01139560 | Advanced Plant Biology(II) | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01139570 | Advanced Plant Biology Lab | 2 | 1 | fall |
| 01130130 | Immunology | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01139000 | Neurobiology | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01139441 | Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and Laboratory | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01130110 | Protein Chemistry | 2 | 2 | spring |
| 01130100 | Genetic Engineering | 2 | 2 | spring |
| 01139490 | Intensive Reading and Seminar I | 3 | 3 | spring |
| 01139491 | Intensive Reading and Seminar II | 3 | 3 | fall |
| 01139530 | Gene and behaviors | 3 | 2 | spring |
| 01139470 | Methods in Bioinformatics | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01131110 | Basics of Biochemical Pharmaceutics | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01139640 | Biopharma-engineering and regulation | 4 | 3 | fall |
| 01139590 | Biology of Cancer | 8 | 2 | summer |
| 01139650 | Brain Development and behaviors | 3 | 3 | fall |
| 01130500 | An Introduction to Human Biology | 2 | 2 | spring |
| 01130960 | Conservation Biology | 2 | 2 | fall |
| 01130871 | Human Sex, Reproduction and Health | 2 | 2 | spring and fall |
| 01139380 | General Biology A | 3 | 3 | spring and fall |
| 01139360 | Laboratory Manual of General Biology | 3 | 1.5 | spring |
| 01139350 | General Biology B | 2 | 2 | spring and fall |
| 01130320 | Laboratory Manual of General Biology | 2 | 1 | fall |
