91Â鶹¾«Æ·

Academic Program

This information is part of the .

Faculty

ProfessorsÌýAy (Chair), Belanger, Cardelús, Frey, Hagos, Holm, Ingram, McCay, McHugh, Meyers, Watkins
Associate ProfessorsÌýJimenez, Taye, Van Wynsberghe
Assistant Professors Burgin,ÌýFrauendorf, McMillan
Senior LecturersÌýKlawitter, Schult

Senior Laboratory InstructorÌý³¢²¹¹ó²¹±¹±ð
Visiting Assistant Professor Becklin-Atkinson, Shaffer

A major in biology is the traditional undergraduate preparation for students planning to pursue career interests in the biological or health-related sciences. Although the majority of majors ultimately pursue careers in the life sciences, a significant number of individuals with other career interests choose the major within the liberal arts context. The department's majors are found today in positions of responsibility in many fields outside the life sciences, including business, theology, law, and the performing arts. Biology majors who are interested in pursuing a career in elementary or secondary school teaching should refer to .

Students expecting to attend graduate or professional schools are reminded that these schools frequently recommend or require calculus, statistics, computer science, chemistry (typically through organic), and a year of physics as cognates to the biology major.

Awards

The Oswald T. Avery Award — awarded by the department in honor of Dr. Oswald T. Avery, who graduated in the class of 1900 and subsequently made major research discoveries in molecular biology at the Rockefeller Institute. The award is given each year to one or more senior majors in molecular biology chosen by the faculty on the basis of academic achievement, academic development, research project, and departmental service.

The Raymond J. Myers Award — awarded by the department in honor of Professor Raymond J. Myers, who taught biology at 91Â鶹¾«Æ· from 1934 to 1972. The award is given each year to one or more senior majors in biology chosen by the faculty on the basis of academic achievement, academic development, research project, and departmental service.

The Christopher Oberheim Memorial Award — established as an award for a biology student chosen by the faculty on the basis of showing great promise in research, as evidenced by previous work.

Advanced Placement Policy

An incoming student who submits an AP Biology scoreÌýof 4 or 5 will receive credit for BIOL 101. This course can be counted as a 100-level elective course. Students with AP credit are encouraged to enter the department's curriculum with BIOL 181 or BIOL 182.

Honors and High Honors

Students interested in pursuing honors in a major can find the additional requirements on the relevant major page. Use the links below in the Majors and Minor section to navigate.

International Exam Transfer Credit

Transfer credit may be granted to incoming first year students who have achieved a score on an international exam (e.g., A-Levels, International Baccalaureate) that indicates a level of competence equivalent to the completion of a specific course in the department. Requests should be directed to the department chair. Any such credit may not be used to fulfill the university areas of inquiry requirement, but may count towards the major.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of two biology course credits transferred from other institutions may be applied toward major requirements. Students who intend to transfer a course must supply the department chair with a course description and a course syllabus for evaluation prior to taking the course. Students transferring to 91Â鶹¾«Æ· with upper-class standing may petition the department for permission to transfer a third course. Courses taken on 91Â鶹¾«Æ· Study Groups are approved in the same manner as other non-91Â鶹¾«Æ· courses, but they are not included in the total transfer credit limit. Courses transferred into the major from other institutions cannot be counted toward the lab-course requirement.

Teacher Certification

The Department of Educational Studies offers a teacher education program for majors in biology who are interested in pursuing a career in elementary or secondary school teaching. Please refer to .

Related Majors

Molecular Biology

The major in molecular biology is designed for students who are interested in biology at the molecular level and who wish to take courses in both biology and chemistry. For further information, contact Professors Ay, Belanger, Hagos, Holm,ÌýIngram, McMillan, Meyers, Taye, or Van Wynsberghe. Program requirements are described under .

Environmental Biology

This major is affiliated with the Environmental Studies Program (ENST) and is designed for students interested in biology and the environment. For further information, contact Professors Cardelús, Frauendorf, Frey,ÌýIngram, McCay, or Watkins. Program requirements are described under .

Natural Sciences Topical Major in Marine - Freshwater Science

This topical major is offered with the cooperation of the Department of Earth & Environmental GeosciencesÌýthrough the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. This program is particularly applicable for students who wish to take courses in both biology and geology. For further information, contact Professors Frauendorf or McHugh. Program requirements are described under .

Mathematical Systems Biology Minor

This minor is affiliated with the Department of Mathematics and is designed for students interested in how mathematics can be applied to the study of living systems. For further information, contactÌýProfessor Ay and Burgin. Minor requirements are described under .

Other majors and minor

Certain courses in biology count toward majors in biochemistry, geology, neuroscience, and the geology minor. (SeeÌýchemistry, geology, and neuroscience listings in this chapter.)

Study Groups

Australia Study Group (fall term)

An opportunity for junior majors in environmental biology to expand their environmental studies at the University of Wollongong, one hour south of Sydney.

Australia Study Group (spring term)

An opportunity for junior science majors to study at the University of Wollongong, one hour south of Sydney.

Bethesda Biomedical ResearchÌýStudy Group (fall term)

An opportunity for juniors and seniors interested in careers in the biomedical sciences to spend a research-intensive semester at the National Institutes of Health or Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesÌýin Bethesda, Maryland.

Singapore Exchange (fall term)

An opportunity for sophomore and junior natural science majors to study at the National University of Singapore while being immersed in the rich culture and history of Southeast Asia.

Ireland Study Group (spring term)

An opportunity for junior science majors to study at the University of Galway, on the west Coast of Ireland.

Extended Study

The biology department also offers international extended study courses and encourages participation in 91Â鶹¾«Æ· approved off-campus study programs.

For more information, see .

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Majors and Minors

Major

Minor

Courses