2012 - 2013 Biology Program (BIOL)

Program Goals | Objectives | Program Requirements | Academic Major | Recommended Plan of Study | Academic Minor | Course Descriptions

Faculty: Brian Avery, Bonnie Baxter, Christine Clay, Betsy Kleba, Judy Rogers, Christine Stracey

Program Goals

• To develop an understanding of the scientific process and critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• To enhance communication and information literacy skills.
• To promote leadership, collaboration and teamwork.
• To encourage reflective capacities.
• To teach content knowledge of the various biology subdisciplines.

Objectives

The Biology program offers a Bachelor of Science degree with a breadth of coursework and a focus on laboratory learning ranging from molecular to organismal topics. Undergraduate research is prominent in our program and is offered to students to learn first-hand the process of science. Presentation of research results at national meetings is encouraged. Students receive degree credit for research and internships. Recent biology graduates have been accepted to professional and graduate schools (at a rate of 50–100% each year), worked as laboratory researchers, educators, and biotechnologists.

1) Students will understand scientific methods and use them to address a biological question

• Use observations to explain scientific phenomena
• Design and carry out experiments
• Construct and employ theoretical models
• Learn to effectively gather, interpret, and communicate

2) Students will critically and analytically evaluate biological data to formulate valid conclusions

• Assess the quality of data
• Organize and summarize data
• Evaluate the data in light of hypothesis or question

3) Students will effectively communicate biological concepts and data in both written and verbal format

• Construct effective tables, graphs, and figures
• Deliver an effective oral presentation
• Write an effective scientific paper

4) Students will demonstrate proficiency in general scientific skills and skills specific to an area of specialization within biology

• Collaboration
• Leadership

5) Students will develop an understanding of the major concepts in the biological sciences. They will be able to explain major concepts in:

• Evolutionary biology
• Cell and molecular biology
• Genetics
• Classification of organisms and recognition of how form fits its function
• Ecology

6) Students will be able to see relationships between science and society.

• Identify the relevance and application of science in everyday life
• Evaluate the social and ethical implications of science

Program Requirements

The program is designed to allow lateral shifting to other science majors if the student so desires. Students must maintain a minimum 2.3 GPA in biology courses required for the biology major. No more than half of the biology courses required for a major or minor are accepted by transfer. Please note that 300- and 400-level courses are designed for juniors and seniors.

Students choosing a double major or minor within the science program may not apply electives to more than one major or minor. Only classes listed under "required" courses that coincide with both majors/minors may be applied to both.

For course prerequisites, please refer to the course description.

Academic Major

Students in the major must complete the four core courses in biology and the senior seminar. The biology major also requires that students complete an additional 20 hours of biology credits (at least 16 hours must be in the 300/400 level). The major includes one year of college physics, one year of general chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, at least one semester of calculus, and statistics for the sciences.

Recommended Plan of Study for Biology

*Alternatively, a student could take the PHYS 151/152 (or 211/212) sequence his or her sophomore year and the CHEM 303/304 sequence his or her junior year.

Academic Minor