Reflecting our position as a modern, research-oriented department of a liberal arts college, the Biology Department offers two degree programs. The Bachelor of Science (BS) curriculum is broader in basic sciences and it allows the student ample opportunity to explore advanced areas in biology (suggested BS course schedule). The Bachelor of Arts (AB) curriculum combines a solid background in biology with increased opportunity for the student to explore other fields of study (suggested AB course schedule). Although either degree will prepare the student for a variety of career paths, the BS curriculum is most popular among students planning to pursue graduate degrees in biology. Historically, each curriculum has been taken by equal numbers of students planning careers in the health professions. Students who are undecided about which curriculum to pursue are advised to begin with the BS curriculum; this will assure an easy transition to the AB curriculum if the student so desires.

There is more to an undergraduate education than the traditional classroom experience. Biology majors are encouraged to consider the diverse opportunities available through field stations, internships, or semesters at other academic institutions, both domestic and abroad. Information about these opportunities can be found on the bulletin boards on the first floor of Kunkel Hall; in some cases financial support from the Department may be available. Perhaps the most important non-traditional experience available to biology majors is to become involved in a faculty research program by designing and carrying out their own original research project under faculty guidance. Taking full advantage of these opportunities requires careful planning and students are urged to discuss their plans and interests with their academic advisors as early as possible.

Biology curricula:

College-wide requirements for both AB and BS Biology curricula:

• First Year Seminar;
• English 110;
• Values and Science/Technology (VaST) course in the sophomore year;
• Three courses in Humanities/Social Sciences, at least one course in each area;
• Two "writing-designated" [W] courses normally taken in the Junior or Senior year. This requirement may be satisfied by other required courses which are also "writing-designated."

• Biol. 101/102 and eight additional biology courses as follows:
  one 200-level course in each of the three course areas (GCMB, POB and EEB) noted below,
  two 300-level courses, one each in two of the three course areas (GCMB, POB and EEB) and
  three additional courses at or above the 200-level in any area(s);
• Chemistry 121/122;
• Mathematics 161 and one of the following: Math 176 or Math 186. Alternatively, the sequence Math 125/186 may be taken; the sequence Math 125/176 is not allowed. The sequence Math 161/162/186 is recommended for A.B. majors planning careers in quantitative fields or medicine; students who are unsure of their degree program should begin with Mathematics 161. In unusual circumstances Psychology 120 may substitute for Math 176 or 186 with the approval of the Department Head;
• Foreign culture unit: intermediate proficiency in a foreign language, approved semester of study abroad, or an approved foreign culture cluster, with at least two courses taken in a specific area.

• Biol 101/102 and ten additional biology courses as follows:
  one 200-level course in each of the three course areas (GCMB, POB and EEB) noted below,
  two 300-level courses, one each in two of the three course areas (GCMB, POB and EEB) and
  any five additional courses at or above the 200 level;
• Chemistry 121/122 and 221/222 (with laboratory sections);
• Mathematics 161 and one of the following: Math 176 or Math 186. Students planning graduate coursework in the more quantitative areas of biology should take Math 161/162/186 or 165/166/186 for a broader background. In unusual circumstances Psychology 120 may substitute for Math 176 or 186 with the approval of the Department Head;
• Physics 111/112 or, if you dearly love calculus, Physics 131/132/133. Note that, if you take Physics 131/132 or Physics 131/133 instead of Physics 111/112, you will miss some course content coverage that is tested on the health professions tests (MCAT, DAT, OAT and GRE).

Genetics/Cellular/Molecular Biology (GCMB):                                                        

Biol. 212, Developmental Biology with lab	Biol. 304, Tissue Culture with lab (Interim Session)
Biol. 241, Genetics	Biol. 310, Developmental Neurobiology with practicum [S]
Biol. 245, Immunology with lab	Biol. 312, Cell Biology with practicum [S]
Biol. 256, Neurobiology with lab	Biol. 340, Molecular Medicine with practicum [S]
Biol. 261, Molecular Biology with lab [W]	Biol. 351-380, Special Topics
Chem. 351, Biochemistry Survey	Biol. 401/404, Independent Research
	Biol. 495/496, Thesis [W]

Physiology/Organismal Biology (POB):                                                                  

Biol. 201, Invertebrate Zoology with lab	Biol. 308, Comparative Animal Physiology with practicum [S]
Biol. 213, Comp. Vertebrate Anatomy with lab	Biol. 314, Advanced Anatomy with practicum [S]
Biol. 214, Neuroanatomy with lab	Biol. 345, Infectious Disease and Immunity with practicum [S]
Biol. 215, Mycology with lab	Biol. 351-380, Special Topics
Biol. 225, Microbiology with lab	Biol. 401/404, Independent Research
Biol. 251, Human Physiology with lab	Biol. 495/496, Thesis [W]
Neur. 201, Introduction to Neuroscience

Ecology/Evolutionary Biology (EEB):                                                                    

Biol. 231, Ecology with lab [W]	Biol. 332, Limnology with practicum [S]
Biol. 234, Environmental Biology with lab	Biol. 336, Evolutionary Genetics with practicum [S]
Biol. 235, Evolutionary Biology with lab	Biol. 351-380, Special Topics
Biol. 271, Marine Biology with film section	Biol. 401/404, Independent Research
Geol. 320, Paleobiology	Biol. 495/496, Thesis [W]

Updated 11/13/06