All biology majors will complete a common core of biology courses and additional supporting courses. However, an appropriate course of study at the undergraduate level will vary from student to student depending upon the student's interests and career goals. For example, students majoring in biology may choose to take a broad course of study in the discipline thus maximizing exposure to major disciplinary concepts and providing a strong background for specialization at the graduate level. Alternatively, biology majors may choose to focus on a particular subdiscipline of biology or on the intersection of biology with another discipline.

After core and intermediate level study, biology majors often participate in a research experience at the advanced level, which is empirical in nature (i.e. based on the testing of an hypothesis through observation or experimentation.) Ordinarily, students complete this research during their junior or senior year after significant coursework in biology and supporting disciplines has been completed.

Effective catalog—Students are normally expected to satisfy the major or minor requirements in effect at the time of their initial declaration in their sophomore year. The requirements for a major in biology are: 36 credits in biology and six supporting courses.

Required courses in biology for the major:

 

Biology 255 Cell Biology & Genetics Laboratory

Biology 260 Genetics

Biology 265 Cell Biology

Biology 270 Biodiversity & Evolution

Biology 285 Ecology

The required courses (above) may be taken in any order, however, Biology 265 (Cell Biology) is generally taken in the sophomore year since Chemistry 112 or concurrent enrollment is a prerequisite. Biology 255 (Cell Biology & Genetics Laboratory) must be taken concurrently with either Biology 260 or 265. Normally these core courses should be completed no later than the fall semester of the junior year.

Four upper level biology courses, at least two with laboratory

Two semesters of the Biology Seminar (Biology 489)

Biology Seminar is taken during the junior or senior year, with at least one semester taken during the senior year.

The Biology Seminar is required as the capstone experience and consists of:

1) participation in the one-credit course, Biology Seminar (Biology 489), for two semesters, one of which must be during the senior year;

2) the production of a major thesis-driven, analytical paper during the senior year, written through multiple drafts, which includes a thorough review of the literature; and

3) the delivery of an oral presentation to the department or at an approved undergraduate or professional research conference during the senior year.

While a research experience conducted in the department through research courses (Biology 470–478) may form the basis of the written and oral presentations, students may choose to present work they have done in other contexts such as internships, independent study or study-away opportunities.

Courses numbered below 200 do not count toward the biology major, however, with advisor and Chair permission, one of these courses could count as an elective supporting course from list B (see Supporting Courses below). Students may count only one course from Biology 470–478 or one independent study or internship toward their biology major.

Supporting courses for the biology major:

A strong background in supporting sciences is important to all students studying biology. Many core concepts in biology have their foundation in the physical sciences and mathematics. Furthermore, the work of biologist continues to become more interdisciplinary. For these reasons, all majors must complete a set of supporting courses that promotes an understanding of areas that are intimately linked with the history and future of biology.

Required supporting courses:

 

Chemistry 111 General Chemistry I and Chemistry 112 General Chemistry II or 115 Accelerated General Chemistry

Math 135 Applied Calculus (or approved alternate course)

Math 155 Introduction to Statistical Modeling (or approved alternate course)

Elective supporting courses:

Two courses from list A

OR

One course from list A and one from list B

Your selection of supporting courses mustbe made in consultation with your adviser and approved by the Chair. Your long-term goals might influence your choice of supporting courses. For example, if you are interested in a career in medicine or research in the biomedical sciences we recommend you complete a year of organic chemistry and a year of introductory physics. Students interested in pursuing an ecology path should consider taking a GIS course, intermediate or advanced math or statistics, or a geology course. Students planning a career as a science educator at the primary or secondary level should consider taking supporting courses in several of the science departments.

List A: Supporting Courses

 

Chemistry 211 Organic Chemistry I

Chemistry 212 Organic Chemistry II

Chemistry 222 Analytical Chemistry

Computer Science 120 Introduction to Computing and Its Applications

Computer Science 121 Introduction to Scientific Programming

Computer Science 123 Core Concepts in Computer Science

Geography 225 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Geology 150 Dynamic Earth and Global Change

Geology 155 History and Evolution of the Earth

Mathematics 237 Multivariate Calculus

Mathematics 253 Applied Multivariate Statistics

Mathematics 354 Probability

Mathematics 355 Mathematical Statistics

Physics 221 Introductory Physics I or 226 Principles of Physics I

Physics 222 Introductory Physics II or 227 Principles of Physics II

List B: Example of additional supporting courses

 

Anthropology 112 Archeology and Human Evolution

Anthropology 239 Medical Anthropology

Computer Science 484 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

Geology 120 (Environmental Studies 120) Environmental Geology

History 250 History of Pre-modern Medicine

History 350 Race, Gender and Science

Philosophy 227 Bioethics

Psychology 244 (Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 244) Cognitive Neuroscience

Psychology 246 (Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 246) Exploring Sensation and Perception

Psychology 248 (Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 248) Behavioral Neuroscience

The supporting course from list B must be chosen in consultation with your advisor and approved by the Chair. While this course will usually be from the science division, students who wish to integrate their biology major with a secondary interest (e.g. journalism, law, ethics, writing, etc.) may choose a course that links biology and another discipline. Other courses might be appropriate "list B" courses. See the Biology Department website and/or consult the Chair for approved courses.

Depending on your interests and career goals, we have provided only a subset of courses that support your biology major. For example, if you are interested in a career in medicine or research in the biomedical sciences we recommend you complete a year of organic chemistry and a year of introductory physics. Students interested in pursuing an ecology path should consider taking a course or two in GIS and/or additional math and statistics. Students planning a career as a science educator at the primary or secondary level should consider taking supporting courses in several of the science departments.

While a research experience conducted in the department through research courses (Biology 470–478) may form the basis of the written and oral presentations, students may choose to present work they have done in other contexts such as internships, independent study or study-away opportunities.

Individualizing the Biology Major

In consultation with one or more biology faculty members, each student will develop a major plan by choosing appropriate electives in biology and supporting disciplines. By their choice of electives, students may explore a variety of biological subdisciplines or focus on one or two areas of study. For example, students may design majors that focus on such areas as ecology; immunology and microbiology; genetics, cell and developmental biology; plant biology; biochemistry; or neurobiology. Biology majors interested in attending medical school after graduation should refer to the "Premedical Program" in the "Special Programs" section of this catalog and should consult a premedical advisor as early as possible in their planning process.

Major Concentration with added emphasis

Increasingly, biological scientists address questions by working in groups that are interdisciplinary in nature. Thus, interdisciplinary fields of study have emerged that cannot be adequately covered within a single department. Three such interdisciplinary fields, Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, and International Issues can be explored through the following biology majors with added emphasis. Students choosing such a major concentration with EMPHASIS will have this noted on their transcript (e.g. Biology Major with Added Emphasis in Neurobiology). In all three cases, students must successfully complete the core requirements for the biology major: 255; 260; 265; 270; and 285; Chemistry 112 or 115; and Math 135 and 155; Biology 489 Biology Seminar (taken twice)). It is expected that the required senior presentation will be in the area of the student's emphasis. Students should configure their electives in consultation with a biology faculty member using the following guidelines:

Major Concentration in Biology with Added Emphasis in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology

Students with a strong interest in pursuing more in-depth study of biochemistry and molecular biology may want to consider this track. This emphasis would be an option for students interested in medical school and/or graduate study in virtually any biomedical field.

Biology electives:

 

Biology 351 Biochemistry I

Biology 352 Biochemistry II or Biology 353 Advanced Genetics

Plus at least three courses from the following (at least two must be in Biology):

 

Biology 353 Advanced Genetics

Biology 355 Virology

Biology 356 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Biology 357 Immunology

Biology 358 Microbiology

Biology 368 Plant Physiology

Biology 369 Developmental Biology

Chemistry 312 Physical Chemistry II

Chemistry 361 Advanced Organic Chemistry

Topics courses related to Biochemistry or Molecular Biology (approval of the Chair required)

 

Biology 472 Research in Molecular Biology

Biology 474 Research in Biochemistry

Required supporting courses:

 

Chemistry 212 Organic Chemistry II

Chemistry 311 Physical Chemistry I

Physics 227 Principles of Physics II

Major Concentration with Added Emphasis in Neurobiology

Students with a strong interest in pursuing more in-depth study of the biological basis of behavior and/or the nervous system may want to consider a major in Biology with added emphasis in neurobiology. This emphasis would be an option for students interested in medical school and/or graduate study in a field of neuroscience or biomedicine.

Three upper level courses:

 

Biology 250 Neuroanatomy

Biology 356 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Biology 486 Seminar in Neuropharmacology or equivalent advanced seminar

Three additional upper level Biology courses such as:

 

Biology 351 Biochemistry I

Biology 352 Biochemistry II

Biology 353 Advanced Genetics

Biology 357 Immunology

Biology 369 Developmental Biology

Biology 367 Human Physiology

Three supporting courses:

 

Computer Science 484 (same as Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 484) Introduction of Artificial Intelligence

Linguistics 378 (same as Psychology 378) Psychology of Language

Philosophy 362 (same as Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 362) Philosophy of Mind

Psychology 240 Principles of Learning and Behavior

Psychology 242 Cognitive Psychology

Psychology 248 (same as Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 248) Behavioral Neuroscience

Psychology 249 (same as Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 249) Cognitive Neuroscience

Psychology 250 Developmental Psychology

Psychology 252 Distress, Dysfunction and Disorder

Required supporting courses:

 

Chemistry 212 Organic Chemistry II

Recommended supporting courses:

 

Physics 221 Introductory Physics I or Physics 226 Principles of Physics I

Physics 222 Introductory Physics II or Physics 227 Principles of Physics II

Chemistry 311 Physical Chemistry I

Major Concentration with an Added Emphasis in International Issues

Students whose biological interests include an international aspect may complete a biology major with an Added Emphasis in International Issues. For example, this would be an option for students with interests in tropical ecology, global biodiversity, tropical diseases, and public health care in developing countries. In addition to the core biology requirements, the student must complete the following: 1) study abroad for a semester on a biology program in a country in which the student's foreign language skills are relevant, and in which the student examines biological issues particular to that region of the world; 2) seven additional supporting courses including International Studies 368 (Sustainable Development and the Global Future); and 3) an approved biology research experience with an international component.

Examples of Possible Additional Supporting Courses (See the current class schedule for other options)

International Ecology Related Courses

 

Environmental Studies (Geology) 194 Environmental Geology

Environmental Studies (Economics) 231 Environmental Economics and Policy

Environmental Studies (Geography) 232 People and the Environment

Environmental Studies (Political Science) 235 Citizen Science: Environment, Technology and Development

Environmental Studies (Geography and Political Science) 252 Water and Power

Environmental Studies (Anthropology) 365 Environmental Anthropology

Environmental Studies (International Studies) 368 Sustainable Development and the Global Future

Geography 111 Human Geography of Global Issues

International Public Health Related Courses

 

American Studies 194 Social Identity and the Medicalized Body

Anthropology 239 Medical Anthropology

Anthropology 380 Advanced Medical Anthropology

History 250 History of Pre-Modern Medicine

Philosophy 227 Bioethics

Political Science 235 Citizen Science: Environment, Technology and Development

Minor Concentration

The requirements for a minor in biology are five biology courses, which must include two from the core series (numbered between 260 and 285). Students with a minor in biology may include one course numbered below 200 among their five courses.

Topics Courses

194, 294, 394, 494

Examination of a topic of general interest to faculty and students, the topic to be announced in advance of registration. Recent topics courses in biology include: Winter Ecology, Molecular Evolution, Comparative Biochemistry, and Organismal Diversity. (Usually 4 credits)