Biology - Majors & Minors
Biology
Biology is the scientific study of living things. Therefore the major and minor in biology are designed to introduce students to the methodology of science while providing a broad exposure to the diversity of life at all levels. Students may also, through their choice of upper-level classes, explore specific areas of interest, such as cell and molecular biology, organismal biology, or ecology and evolutionary biology. In addition to its standard course offerings, the department offers numerous opportunities for collaborative research and learning with faculty. For example, internships and other research opportunities, both on and off-campus, are available during the January Winter Term and in the summer. Many students also spend a semester away from campus, either in an off-campus study program, such as the School for Field Studies, Denmark International Study, the School for International Training, or as an intern at such institutions as Oak Ridge or Argonne National Laboratories, Harvard Medical School, or the Mayo Clinic.
Requirements for a major
Biology
| Total courses required | 9.5 BIO + CHEM 120 + 1.0 allied course credit |
|---|---|
| Core courses | BIO 101, BIO 102, BIO 450 |
| Other required courses | Seven upper level Biology courses. At least one course from each upper level cluster (Cellular/Molecular Biology, Organismal Biology, Ecology/Evolution). The remaining four Biology courses can be selected from any of the approved courses for the major. CHEM 120 and an additional allied course are also required. Cellular/Molecular Biology: Courses in this cluster emphasize processes of cells and/or unicellular organisms including cellular processes such as metabolism/bioenergetics and the maintenance and expression of DNA, RNA and/or proteins. Courses that fulfill this cluster are BIO 241, BIO 250, BIO 314, BIO 315, BIO 325, BIO 361, BIO 381. Organismal Biology: Courses in this cluster emphasize biological diversity and adaptive characteristics of multicellular organisms such as physiology, anatomy, development, and reproduction. Courses that fulfill this cluster are BIO 230, BIO 234, BIO 235, BIO 285, BIO 334, BIO 335. Evolution/Ecology: Courses in this cluster emphasize the consequences of interactions of organisms with each other and their (abiotic and biotic) environment and the processes which shape these interactions at the population, community and ecosystem levels. Courses that fulfill this cluster are BIO 342, BIO 343, BIO 344, BIO 345, BIO 346, BIO 348. Students will take one course from the following list of allied courses: CHEM 240, CHEM 260, CSC 121, GEOS 110, PHYS 120 |
| Number 300 and 400 level courses | Three (not including BIO 450) |
| Senior requirement and capstone experience | The senior requirement consists of the completion of BIO 450 with a grade of C- or better. |
| Additional information | No more than two courses from off-campus programs can count toward the major. It is recommended that biology majors take a minimum of two courses in chemistry, a year of physics and a semester of calculus or statistics. Course work in computer science is also desirable. |
| Writing in the Major | Biologists must write clear, compelling prose to describe and explain complex patterns and processes. They must also present data graphically and verbally to inform and engage other scientists and the public. Good writing in biology is usually concise and precise, conveying information effectively without relying on emotion. Drafts, revisions, and peer reviews are important steps in the process of writing polished prose in biology. Biological inquiry and writing are both collaborative endeavors. Writing collaboratively requires practice, so in many of our courses, students work together to produce co-authored reports describing their experimental results. While collaborative writing is important, students will be increasingly responsible for their own writing with the goal of achieving effective technical writing in the mode of professional biologists. The Biology major scaffolds writing assignments from parts of lab reports or proposals in the introductory courses to full lab reports and review papers in upper level courses. Students will experience many different forms of writing in Biology throughout their major coursework. To fulfill the Writing in the Major certification, Biology majors must either take a course that has been designated by the department as writing intensive or submit a portfolio with three pieces of graded writing to their senior seminar instructor prior to the end of their senior year. The following courses have been designated as writing intensive:
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Cellular and Molecular Biology
| Total courses required | 8.5 BIO + CHEM 120 + 3 MATH and/or CSC |
|---|---|
| Core courses | BIO 101; BIO 102; CHEM 120; BIO 241 or BIO 250; BIO 315. |
| Other required courses | 4 BIO courses including:
3 courses chosen from the following Computer Science and Math courses: CSC 121, CSC 122, CSC 232, CSC 233, MATH 123, MATH 141, MATH 151, MATH 152, MATH 251, MATH 341 No more than two courses from off-campus programs can count toward the major. |
| Number 300 and 400 level courses | Minimum of 3 BIO (not including BIO 450) |
| Senior requirement and capstone experience | BIO 450 completion with a grade of C- or better, or half credit BIO 490 research in a CMB area. |
| Additional information | The CSC and MATH courses requirement may be fulfilled as follow: 3 CSC, or 3 MATH, or 2 CSC + 1 MATH, or 1 CSC + 2 MATH. BIO 375, BIO 325, BIO 381 are recommended electives. Students may take BIO 375 and MATH 141, however BIO 375 may not be substituted for one of the Math requirements, or vice versa. BIO 490 half credit research or more recommended in a CMB area, may be counted as upper level elective for the major. Interdisciplinary project with Math or Computer Science is encouraged. |
| Writing in the Major | See Biology major for students entering Fall 2014 and after. |
Environmental Biology
| Total courses required | 7.5 Biology + CHEM 130 + 4.0 Allied + 1.0 Elective |
|---|---|
| Core courses | BIO 101, BIO 102, CHEM 130, BIO 450 |
| Other required courses | Five upper level Biology courses. Must include BIO 375 and either BIO 342 or BIO 345 (or similar approved topics course). Four allied courses from outside Biology (minimum two from the social sciences, arts or humanities; minimum one from the sciences). At least one of these must be at or above the 200 level. These courses are selected from a list of environmental course offerings maintained by the Biology Department. One additional elective course, which may be in Biology, Chemistry, or from the list of allied courses. |
| Number 300 and 400 level courses | Three (not including BIO 450) |
| Senior requirement and capstone experience | Completion of BIO 450 with a grade of C- or better. |
| Additional information | No more than two courses from off-campus programs may count toward the major. Environmental biology majors are encouraged to also take courses in physics and computer science. |
| Writing in the Major | See Biology major for students entering Fall 2014 and after. |
Requirements for a minor
Biology
| Total courses required | Six |
|---|---|
| Core courses | BIO 101, BIO 102 |
| Other required courses | Three BIO courses, with at least one at the 300-level, and CHEM 120. |
| Number 300 and 400 level courses | One |