Biology
Full Time Faculty: Lin
Aanonsen, Sarah Boyer, Chris Calderone, Devavani Chatterjea, Kristi Curry
Rogers, Mark Davis (Chair), Jerald Dosch, Daniel Hornbach, Mary Montgomery,
Paul Overvoorde
Part Time Faculty: Elizabeth
Jansen
Laboratory Supervisor: Mike
Anderson
Laboratory Supervisor and Instructor: Steven Sundby
Research Technician(grant supported): Mark Hove
Mission Statement
The Biology Department is committed to providing
intellectually rich and challenging learning experiences for majors and
non-majors alike. These experiences are intended to communicate the
foundations and frontiers of the life sciences (from molecules to
ecosystems), the methods of biological inquiry, and the relevance of
biology to society.
Expectations for our Students
*All Macalester students should understand that science
is a continual and dynamic process of investigation. All students should
appreciate that biological knowledge progresses via the support and
rejection of competing hypotheses by the scientific community. Students
should understand that these decisions are based on empirical evidence and
logical arguments developed through inductive and deductive reasoning. To
this end, all our students should become familiar with the historical
development of some of the major concepts in biology. In addition, all our
students should be able to develop scientifically informed positions on
some of the social issues related to the biological topics they have
studied.
*All biology majors should be able to understand and
communicate the central concepts and investigational methods that currently
define biology and that they should learn basic laboratory and field
techniques used in the various biological subdisciplines. After completing
the four required core courses, students should be able to demonstrate
their understanding of the central theories and methods in molecular
biology, cell biology, genetics, physiology, ecology, phylogeny, and
evolution, and use the vocabulary that embodies this knowledge. Through the
laboratory component of the core courses, students should learn to
articulate a testable hypothesis and design an effective investigative
approach; collect, organize and analyze data using appropriate quantitative
tools including statistical and graphical methods; and effectively
communicate their ideas orally and in writing using customary scientific
formats and styles.
*All biology graduates should demonstrate an
understanding of theories and specialized research techniques and be able
to comprehend and critique primary scientific literature in their area(s)
of interest. Upon graduation, students should be well prepared to pursue
their interests in a variety of ways, including graduate or professional
schools, public service, or entry into the work force.
*Finally, we expect all biology graduates to be able to
use their knowledge and communication skills to assume a leadership role in
applying biological concepts and theories appropriately to investigate
and/or solve a variety of problems, both in the area of their
specialization and in the broader public sphere.
Opportunities for our Students
There are numerous opportunities for students to
conduct research with faculty in the department during January, the summer,
and the regular academic year. Stipends are available for summer research.
There are also opportunities for off-campus research or internships at
numerous local and national sites.
Consistent with Macalester’s international focus,
the department encourages its majors to study abroad. In recent years,
biology majors have studied alternative medicine in Nepal, rain forest
ecology in Costa Rica and Ecuador, coral reef ecology in Australia, health
sciences in Denmark, biochemistry in Scotland and technology in New
Zealand.
The department sponsors a seminar program for all
students. Visitors from academic institutions, industry, and government
present their work and are available to students for questions, advice, and
guidance not only in their specialty, but also in career choice and
development.
A major in the biological sciences is excellent
preparation for such careers as:
*Professional biologist with graduate training leading
to college or university teaching and research;
*Professional biologist with graduate training leading
to careers in forestry, agriculture, fisheries, biological oceanography,
conservation, environmental education, public health, and other fields;
*Biology teacher at the middle and high-school level;
*Medical practitioner with graduate training in
medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, nursing, medical technology,
physical or occupational therapy, sports medicine, and other health related
professions;
*Medical and scientific illustration; writing, editing
and journalism;
*Academic, industrial and government sector careers in
health administration, technical support, instrumentation, biotechnology,
and pharmaceuticals.
Departmental Resources
The diversity and quality of the course offerings in
the department are enriched by the specialties of the faculty and staff
members. Owing to their diverse backgrounds and interests, the department
is able to offer students courses and training in a wide variety of
biological subdisciplines. These include neurobiology, immunology, cell
biology, aquatic ecology, animal ecology, plant ecology, animal behavior
and ecology, genetics and molecular biology, plant physiology, animal
physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, developmental biology, evolutionary
biology, phylogeny, paleobiology, and systematics. In addition, funding
from the grants obtained by the college, department, and individual faculty
members, supports research of both students and faculty.
The biology department, located in Olin-Rice Halls of
Science, has both teaching and research laboratories that are well equipped
to support the diverse scientific activities of faculty and students. In
recent years, grants from the National Science Foundation and the Howard
Hughes Medical Institutes have enabled the department to purchase several
hundred thousand dollars worth of new scientific equipment. Departmental
equipment includes state-of-the-art equipment for DNA and protein analysis,
a flow cytometer, a real-time PCR system, a mammalian tissue culture
facility, a research-grade greenhouse, image analysis and presentation
equipment, a scanning electron microscope, and a wide assortment of other
technical equipment supporting course work and research.
The college’s 285-acre Katharine Ordway Natural
History Study Area in Inver Grove Heights, just 25 minutes from the campus,
provides for the study of natural habitats such as ponds, a river lake,
birch and oak forests, and prairie. A prairie restoration project is
ongoing. A building for teaching and research work also accommodates a
resident naturalist.
General Distribution Requirement
All courses in the biology department count toward the
general distribution requirement in the natural sciences except courses
above 600 (tutorials, independents, internships, preceptorships).
General Education Requirements
Courses that meet the general education requirements in
writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism and multiculturalism will
be posted on the Registrar’s web page in advance of registration for
each semester.
Additional information regarding the general
distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be
found in the graduation requirements section of this catalog.
Advanced Placement
Students who received a score of 5 on the Advanced
Placement (AP) biology exam or a score of 5 or better on the International
Baccalaureate (IB) biology exam will receive 4 or 8 credits, respectively,
in general biology. These credits will count toward the graduation
requirement, but may not be used toward a biology major or minor, or in
fulfilling the distribution requirement in natural sciences and
mathematics. Upon consultation with the department chair, biology students
with such test scores may be exempt from taking one of the core biology
courses (Biology 260, 265, 270 or 285). Those wishing such an exemption are
required to substitute for that requirement an approved intermediate level
laboratory course in the area of the exemption.
Honors Program
The biology department participates in the honors
program. Eligibility requirements, application procedures, and specific
project expectations for the biology department are available on the
department website (www.macalester.edu/biology).
Major Requirements
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.
Transfer students wanting to graduate from Macalester
with a major in biology must take at least four 4-credit biology courses at
Macalester, only one of which can be an internship or independent.
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, Biol 260 (Genetics) is normally taken before Biology 265
(Cell Biology) since Chemistry 112 or concurrent enrollment is a
prerequisite for Cell Biology. Biology 255 (Cell Biology & Genetics
Laboratory) must be taken concurrently with either Biology 260 or 265. The
core courses have been developed for students beginning their Biology
education. Ideally, the core courses should be completed by the end of the
sophomore year, and no later than the end
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.
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 an approved
set of supporting courses.
Required supporting courses:
Chemistry 111 General Chemistry I and Chemistry 112
General Chemistry II or 115 Accelerated General Chemistry
Math 135 Applied Calculus (see math/statistics
guidelines below)
Math 155 Introduction to Statistical Modeling (see
math/statistics guidelines below)
Note: Deviations from the Math 135/155 sequence will
not be accepted unless approved ahead of time by the Chair.
Math/Statistics Guidelines
Many biology majors take calculus and/or statistics in
high school. The Math 135/155 sequence is still appropriate for most such
students, even those who took AP or IB courses and scored well on the
tests. The reason is that 135/155 emphasizes the calculus and statistics of
multiple variables, topics not encountered in even the most advanced
high-school courses.
Those biology majors with strong high-school calculus
preparation (see Math/CS department web site) and who plan eventually to
take Math 237 (multi-variable calculus) may elect to skip Math 135. If
prepared, those students can start directly with Math 237, or may take Math
137 then Math 237. Math 137 may not replace Math 135 unless Math 237 is
also taken.
Note: Some electives for the biology major have Math
137 as a pre-requisite: Physics 227 (Principles of Physics II) and
Chemistry 311 (Physical Chemistry I). Students who plan to take Chemistry
312 (Physical Chemistry II) are advised to take Math 237.
Students who do not plan to take Math 237 or 236
should take Math 135, even if they are prepared to enter Math 137 directly.
All students should enroll in Math 155, Introduction
to Statistical Modeling, which has as a prerequisite Math 135 or Math 236
or Math 237.
Elective supporting courses:
Two courses from list A
OR
One course from list A and one from list B
Your selection of supporting courses must be made in consultation with
your advisor 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, as well as from
the Educational Studies Department.
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 115 Biological Anthropology
Anthropology 239 Medical Anthropology
Computer Science 484 Introduction to Artificial
Intelligence
Geology 120 (Environmental Studies 120) Environmental
Geology
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. Consult with the Chair for approval of other courses.
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; evolution; 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.
Requirements for the major 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 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; Math 135 and 155;
and 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:
Requirements for a Major 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
Plus at least two courses from the following (at least
one of which 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 Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy
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 Thermodynamics and Kinetics
Physics 227 Principles of Physics II
Requirements for a Major in Biology 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.
Two of the following three courses, one of which must
be Biology 356 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Biology 360 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 360 Neuroanatomy
Biology 369 Developmental Biology
Biology 367 Human Physiology
Biology 486 Seminar in Neuropharmacology
Two 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
Requirements for a Major in Biology 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) four
upper level biology courses, 2) 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; 3) five additional approved
supporting courses; and 4) 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) 120 Environmental
Geology
Environmental Studies (Economics) 231 Environmental
Economics and Policy
Environmental Studies (Geography) 232 People and the
Environment
Environmental Studies (Political Science) 335 Science
and Citizenship
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
Political Science 335 Science and Citizenship
Minor Requirements
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.
(Usually 4 credits)
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