Biology

Faculty

Chair and Associate Professor Cody; Associate Professor Pezzia; Assistant Professors Bihmidine, Soper, Stenesen, Scobell and Toby;  Emeritus Associate Professor Doe and Pope

About the Biology Department

Biology is the exploration of the entire world of the living and the material universe as it relates to living processes. Through the study of biology, students gain an understanding of the nature and behavior of the living world and integrate this knowledge with the aid of chemistry, physics and mathematics. Scientific truths and concepts are presented in such a way as to challenge students to take an active part in the learning process through hands-on laboratory and field experiences.

The Biology curriculum is divided into three levels to ensure exploration of the full breadth of the biological sciences. In the Molecules to Cells level, students explore cellular and subcellular processes through examination of microbiology, molecular biology, genetics and cell physiology. The second level, Cells to Organisms, examines the arrangement of cells into higher-order organization in the organism through the study of anatomy, physiology, plant biology and developmental biology. At the Organisms to Populations level, the interaction between organisms and their environment is expanded to include ecological, behavioral and evolutionary processes. Students majoring in biology complete upper-division course work at each of these levels, while also having the opportunity to spend additional course work going into greater depth within a level.

The Biology Department curriculum is designed to prepare students for graduate work at the master’s or Ph.D. level, for teaching in junior high and high school and for pursuing laboratory or field-based research careers. The curriculum includes course work necessary for satisfying entrance requirements to schools in health related fields such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and physical therapy.

A program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry is offered jointly between the Departments of Biology and Chemistry.

Degree Requirements

The B.A. in Biology requires completion of the Biology Core, described below, which includes General Biology in combination with selected chemistry, physics and mathematics courses that will serve as a foundation for further study in the Department. A minimum of 22 credits of course work in Biology must be completed, in addition to General Biology I and II (8 credits). (Up to six research/internship credits may be used to satisfy this requirement.) This requirement may be satisfied by any combination of courses offered by the Department, as long as the following conditions are met: 1) The combination must include at least three laboratory courses. 2) The combination must satisfy the course distribution requirement, (see following). Choice of advanced courses should be made in light of future plans and should be discussed with the student’s academic advisor.

To meet the above requirements, Biology majors will ordinarily earn a minimum of 30 credits in Biology as well as extradepartmental credits in chemistry, physics and mathematics courses. A grade of "C" or better in any prerequisite course is required for advanced courses in Biology, although this requirement may be waived by permission of the instructor. To obtain the B.S. in Biology, students must complete all requirements indicated above plus 12 additional credits in Biology.

The Biology Core includes: General Biology I and II (Biology 1311/1111 and 1312/1112), General Chemistry I and II (Chemistry 1303/1103 and 1304/1104), Organic Chemistry I (Chemistry 3321/3121), one Chemistry elective (to be chosen from Chemistry 3322/3122, 3331/3131, 3335/3135, 2414/2014, 3445 or BIO 3315) and General Physics I and II (either Physics 2311/2111 plus 2312/2112 or 2305/2105 plus 2306/2106). Biology students satisfy the core mathematics requirement with Calculus I (MAT 1404). The Biology Core requires one other mathematics course: either Calculus II (MAT 1411), any other core mathematics course, or Biostatistics (BIO 3345). Biostatistics cannot both satisfy the Biology Core mathematics requirement and apply toward the advanced Biology credits required for the B.A. or the B.S. Students contemplating graduate study should choose Introduction to Statistics (MAT 2305) or Biostatistics (BIO 3345) to satisfy the mathematics requirement and Biology Core requirement.

Course distribution requirements: To satisfy the Department’s course distribution requirement, students must take at least one Biology course from each of the three subject areas indicated below. Additional courses may be approved by the Department chair to satisfy distribution requirements. Courses at the 3000 level or above require completion of General Biology I and II or AP credit for Biology.

Comprehensive Examination

All students must pass a comprehensive examination, which is given in the senior year. This examination will generally entail an oral presentation of a scientific research paper or research data the student has collected to the biology faculty and peers. Students should prepare to undergo this examination by taking a 4000 level biology course.

Degrees in Biology

Bachelor of Arts in Biology

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Biopsychology Concentration

Environmental Science Concentration

Molecular Biology Concentration

Biology Course Information

Courses in Biology