The biology department offers majors a solid foundation in modern biology
and the opportunity for advanced and independent investigation within
the framework of a liberal arts curriculum. Biology is a very diverse
discipline and a strong foundation requires study in all three of the
general areas of biology: cell and molecular biology, organismal biology,
and population biology. Accordingly, majors must complete a course in
each of these areas (see course lists below).
Biology courses numbered 150 through 212 are intended primarily for
first and second-year students; 200-level courses focus on central sub-disciplines
of biology and are normally taken by second and third-year students;
courses numbered 300 and above are usually taken in the third and fourth
year and 400-level courses (Independent Study, 450; Honors, 495; Biology
Seminar, 460) are taken in the fourth year. Exceptions to these guidelines
must be discussed with a student's advisor and permission requested of
the instructor involved. Biology offers two types of introductory courses
comprising the introductory core, Biology 150 (Foundations in Biology)
offered with laboratory for those desiring a strong survey of the central
concepts of biology, and Introductory Biology Topics courses (numbered
in the 160’s) that address fundamental biological concepts in the
context of specialized topics. First and second year students may take
either or both of these courses, or two courses numbered in the 160’s,
but not more than two courses from the introductory core may count toward
the major.
Biology offers two disciplinary majors, a B.A. and a B.S., and a disciplinary
minor. Only courses completed with a grade of C- or better, both departmental
and cognate, may count toward the major or minor. Bidisciplinary courses
do not typically count toward a biology major.
Top
opportunity for advanced and independent investigation within
the framework of a liberal arts curriculum. Biology is a very diverse
discipline and a strong foundation requires study in all three of the
general areas of biology: cell and molecular biology, organismal biology,
and population biology. Accordingly, majors must complete a course in
each of these areas (see course lists below).
and are normally taken by second and third-year students;
courses numbered 300 and above are usually taken in the third and fourth
year and 400-level courses (Independent Study, 450; Honors, 495; Biology
Seminar, 460) are taken in the fourth year. Exceptions to these guidelines
must be discussed with a student's advisor and permission requested of
the instructor involved. Biology offers two types of introductory courses
comprising the introductory core, Biology 150 (Foundations in Biology)
offered with laboratory for those desiring a strong survey
of the central
concepts of biology, and Introductory Biology Topics courses (numbered
in the 160’s) that address fundamental biological concepts in the
context of specialized topics. First and second year students may take
either or both of these courses, or two courses numbered in the 160’s,
but not more than two courses from the introductory core may count toward
the major. 
Biology offers two disciplinary majors, a B.A. and a B.S., and a disciplinary
minor. Only courses completed with a grade of C- or better, both departmental
and cognate, may count toward the major or minor. Bidisciplinary courses
do not typically count toward a biology major.
