Apr 07, 2025

2015-2016 Academic Catalog

2015-2016 Academic Catalog THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. LINKS MAY NO LONGER BE ACTIVE AND CONTENT MAY BE OUT OF DATE!

Biology Major

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Please refer to the Science section of this catalog.

Biology entails the study of the entire process of life from its beginning, through its development, reproduction, and to its cessation and decay. Many of the new developments and discoveries in this dynamic field are the result of interdisciplinary cooperation between biologists, chemists, physicists, and computer scientists. These researchers have added considerably to our understanding of the basic principles and mechanisms of living systems at cellular, molecular, organismic, population, and ecological levels.

Career opportunities for those who major in biology are numerous. Besides being one of the traditional preparatory fields for those pursuing careers as health care professionals, biology is an excellent choice of major for those interested in secondary education or in the burgeoning genetic engineering industry. And, of course, the areas of academic and industrial research are open to those who pursue a PhD in the discipline.

Requirements for the Major

The major in biology requires a minimum of 16 courses distributed according to the outline presented below. Students wishing to continue their education in biology-related graduate or professional school programs may need to supplement this basic curriculum with additional course work in science. Department faculty should be consulted for advice at the earliest possible opportunity. Suggested programs are available. Requirements for the biology major include:

Introductory Biology: BIOL043L KS and BIOL044L KS ; or BIOL040L KS and BIOL044L KS ;
Introductory Chemistry: CHEM014L KS and CHEM015L KS ; or CHEM040L KS and CHEM015L KS ;
Introductory Physics: PHYS030L KS and PHYS031L KS
Organic Chemistry:CHEM116L KS and CHEM117L KS
Calculus I: MATH030 SC (should be taken before Physics)
Six advanced courses in biology, i.e. numbered 100 and above, including at least three laboratory courses. Biology 188L KS may not be counted as one of the six biology electives. These courses should be selected in consultation with a department faculty member and may be chosen so as to obtain depth in one area of biology (e.g. cellular/molecular, organismal, or population-level) or breadth across all areas.
Senior Thesis in Biology: BIOL190L KS . Students completing a two-semester thesis normally take BIOL188L KS Senior Thesis Research Project in Biology or BIOL189L KS Senior Thesis Summer Research Project in Biology , during the first semester of their project. BIOL191 KS One-Semester Thesis in Biology is required of all majors in science not completing Biology 188L or 189L and 190L.

NOTE: Introductory Biology, Chemistry, and Physics may be substituted by both semesters of the AISS course (AISS001ALKS AISS001BLKS AISS002ALKS AISS002BLKS ).

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 11.0 (A-) in courses in the major.
Achieve a minimum grade of A- on the thesis.
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.