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Biology

Full Time Faculty: Lin Aanonsen (Chair), Sarah Boyer, Devavani Chatterjea, Mark Davis, Jerald Dosch, Daniel Hornbach, Mary Montgomery, Paul Overvoorde, Jan Serie

Part Time Faculty: Elizabeth Jansen, Kathleen Parson

Laboratory Supervisors: Mike Anderson, Mark Hove, Steven Sundby

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

*We believe that 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.

*We believe that all biology majors should be able to understand and communicate the major 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 three 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, 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, coral reef ecology in Australia, 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 concentration in the biological sciences is excellent preparation for such careers as:

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, genetics and molecular biology, plant physiology, animal physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, developmental biology, evolutionary biology 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 mammalian tissue culture facility, a research-grade greenhouse, image analysis and presentation equipment, transmission and scanning electron microscopes, and a wide assortment of other technical equipment supporting course work and research.

The college's 280-acre 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 for courses numbered 400 and above.

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 or more of the core biology courses (Biology 160–205.) Those wishing such an exemption are required to substitute for that requirement an 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 Concentration

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 five supporting courses. The 36 credits in biology must include:

The Introductory Cell Biology & Genetics Series: 161 or163 or164 or165 (Cell Biology & Genetics I) or passing the biology placement exam; and the core courses Biology 170 (Biodiversity & Evolution); and Biology 180 (Ecology); and 205 (Cell Biology & Genetics II). Normally these courses should be completed no later than the fall semester of the junior year.

Four or five (if Cell Biology & Genetics I is not taken) 4–5 credit upper level courses, at least two with laboratory, and two semesters of the Biology Seminar (Biology 489) taken during the junior or senior year, with at least one semester taken during the senior year. Courses numbered below 160 do not count toward the biology major. Students may count only one course from Biology 470–478 or one independent study or internship toward their biology major.

The supporting courses must include:

One elective course other than biology selected in consultation with an academic advisor. 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.

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.

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: 170; 180; and 205; Chemistry 112 or 115, and 211; 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.

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:

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 238 (Globalization and the Environment), and 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

Minor Concentration

The requirements for a minor in biology are five biology courses, which must include two from the core series (numbered between 160 and 205). Students with a minor in biology may include one course numbered below 160 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)

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