The Biology Program

Biology encompasses the study of all living things and their interaction with the environment. The Department faculty is dedicated to providing students with a strong undergraduate education in the fundamental principles of biology, while encouraging and offering opportunities for students to pursue specialized areas of interest.

The biology major prepares students for future careers in basic life sciences research, teaching, medicine, dentistry, and allied health professions. Many graduates pursue advanced degrees in specialized areas such as biochemistry, physiology, immunology, entomology, microbiology, ecology, and environmental engineering.

The biology curriculum is designed to ensure that majors have a balanced background in cell and molecular biology, organismal biology, and population biology. The wide variety of courses offered provides laboratory and field experiences to reinforce the student’s grasp of basic concepts, to develop an appreciation and working knowledge of the scientific method, to teach basic experimental techniques, and to promote further development of quantitative and analytical skills.

These goals are incorporated into laboratory-based courses beginning with the freshman experience in Biological Concepts and extending to more advanced courses in specialized areas.

All of the equipment and facilities in the department are available for student use. Collections of microscope slides, vertebrate and invertebrate specimens and an herbarium are available to enhance learning. The department also maintains a computer pod, with specialized software available for use in specific courses where data analysis and presentation are required.

Outstanding junior and senior biology majors have the opportunity to participate in the undergraduate research program. Working with a faculty mentor, the student explores the literature, defines an original research problem, and utilizes the appropriate research and analytical techniques to investigate the problem. On many occasions this work results in presentations at scientific meetings. Research students who meet minimum requirements (3.0 overall GPA and a 3.25 average in biology) may pursue Honors in Biology by writing and defending a thesis on their research project. Financial support for student research is available.

The internship program also offers students an opportunity to gain valuable career related experience. Internship credits do not count towards the biology major, but many biology majors have taken dvantage of this program to gain experience and to confirm their career objectives.

Experiential Learning

The department has established another mechanism by which biology majors may satisfy this general education requirement (besides the options listed under the “Experiential Learning” requirement course list found on page 74). The Biology Service Learning option requires students to apply knowledge and skills acquired in their formal courses and to reflect upon how such application has augmented their education. Students will complete a Community Outreach and Resources (COAR) Service-Learning contract in which they will 1) identify the agencies for which they will conduct their service, 2) indicate the biology faculty members who will evaluate the academic component of their activities, and 3) describe the duties that they will carry out for these agencies. Students must complete 40 hours of service within 12 months of submitting their COAR contracts. Students completing their community service during their last semester must complete all requirements by March 1 (November 1 for those finishing in December). Contact the biology department chair for additional details.

Requirements for the Biology Major

Thirty six credits (36) in Biology. These must include, 210, 211, 341, and 451; one course dealing specifically with plants (231, 311, or 312); and one course designated as Field Experience (231, 311, 321, 322, 323, 424, 425, 426, 427, and certain 471 courses).

Biology 121, 122, or Biology 125, 126, and Chemistry 111, 112 are prerequisites to Biology 210, 211 and 341 and most upper-level courses and should be taken in the student’s first year. The core courses of Biology 210, 211, and 341 are also prerequisites for various upper-level courses and should be completed during the second year of study. Biology 210, 211, and 341 must be completed before students register for Biology 451, which can be taken only during the senior year. All graduating students must participate in the assessment of the major.

2010 - 2011 Major Requirements

Requirements for the Biology Minor

Twenty two (22) credits of courses designated BIOL to include:

• BIO 210A Introduction to Ecology and Evolution

• BIOL 211 Cellular Biology

• BIOL 341 Genetics

• Plus three (3) additional 300-400 level Biology courses of which 2 must have a laboratory component.

BIOL 481, 491 and 499 may not be counted for minor credit.