Apr 19, 2024

2013-2014 Academic Catalog

2013-2014 Academic Catalog THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. LINKS MAY NO LONGER BE ACTIVE AND CONTENT MAY BE OUT OF DATE!

Organismal Biology Major

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This major provides a research-and-field-oriented background for students interested in research careers in either physiology or ecology/evolution and their allied fields. For further information, consult with the organismal biology/ecology faculty, Professors Copp, McFarlane, Preest, or Thomson.

Learning Outcomes of the Program in Organismal Biology

The organismal biology major of the W.K.Keck Science Department provides students with the skills and knowledge to effectively engage and evaluate biological science issues and innovations in the wider world, and to take leadership roles in fields including research, health and veterinary professions, and environmental management.

Students majoring in Organismal Biology should be able to:

Articulate the foundational scientific principles and findings in physiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology.
Apply foundational principles, especially evolution, in different biological subdisciplines.
Refine critical, analytical, and scientific thinking skills by developing scientific questions and using a variety of research tools and methods towards answering them.
Read, understand, and critique original research articles.
Use appropriate quantitative approaches for data analysis, data presentation, and modeling.
Articulate how science relates to current problems in the modern world, especially contemporary concerns such as conservation biology, climate change, and ecosystem degradation.

Requirements for the Major

BIOLOGY

CHEMISTRY

CHEM 014L KS - Basic Principles of Chemistry and CHEM 015L KS - Basic Principles of Chemistry , or CHEM 029L KS - Accelerated General Chemistry with Lab ,or CHEM 040L KS - Introduction to Biological Chemistry and CHEM 015L KS - Basic Principles of Chemistry

PHYSICS

PHYS 030L KS - General Physics and PHYS 031L KS - General Physics

NOTE: Introductory biology, introductory chemistry, and introductory physics courses may be substituted by both semesters of the AISS course (AISS 001AL , AISS 001BL , AISS 002AL , AISS 002BL )

MATH

MATH 030 SC - Calculus I

ELECTIVES

Six upper-division biology courses, including three with lab, at least one from each group AND at least three from Group 1 or Group 3. Other courses also may be appropriate to fultill the group requirements, if approved in advance by the biology faculty

SENIOR THESIS

One- or two-semester thesis: BIOL191 KS ,or BIOL188L KS and BIOL190L KS , or BIOL189L KS and BIOL190L KS .

Group 1 courses:

Group 2 courses:

Group 3 courses:

Note:

Off-Campus Study courses at an advanced level may substitute for courses in Groups 1, 2, and 3; approved summer research experience may substitute for Off-Campus Study by prior arrangement.

Study Abroad is strongly recommended but not required.

Honors Requirements (All Tracks)

To be considered for departmental honors in one of the science majors, a student must:

Achieve a minimum grade point average of 10.5 in courses in the major.
Complete a one- or two-semester thesis project in which the student has demonstrated excellence by making a significant contribution to the progress of the research and by producing a thesis document judged to be of honors quality by the department.
Present an oral progress report at the end of the first semester of a two-semester thesis and a poster at the conclusion of either a one- or two-semester thesis in which the student clearly explains the rationale for the project and the conclusions drawn, engages the listener, and knowledgeably answers questions.
Attend at least six scientific seminars during the semester (each semester for a two-semester thesis) and submit a brief and clear summary of each.