Goals
1. Demonstrate mastery of content across the broad field of modern biology
Biology majors are required to take the two-semester general biology course with laboratories (BIOL 141 -BIOL 142 and BIOL 141L -BIOL 142L ). In addition to this 9-credit sequence, biology majors will select a minimum of 27 credits of biology electives, with at least four credits in courses at the 200-level or higher that deal primarily with phenomena in each of the three content areas listed below.
| BIOL 141 /BIOL 141L |
4.5 credits |
| BIOL 142 /BIOL 142L |
4.5 credits |
| Molecular & Cellular Electives |
4 credits |
| Systems Electives |
4 credits |
| Multi-Organismal Electives |
4 credits |
| Major Electives |
15 credits |
| Total |
36 credits |
2. Laboratory Expertise
Because hands-on experiences are at the core of the scientific method and enhance active learning, biology majors must pass three laboratory courses at the 200 level or above from at least two of the three content areas (Molecular/Cellular, Systems, and Multi-Organismal). To help students appreciate the integration and complexity of life from the cellular to the organismal or ecosystem level, at least one course must be a laboratory course that incorporates manipulation of tissue or whole organisms at the macroscopic level. Students should consult the department’s website and their advisors for the lists of courses that fulfill these requirements.
NOTE: One of the laboratories can be substituted by one of the following laboratory experiences, with supporting documentation supplied:
a. Defend an Honors Thesis (BIOL 488H/489H) or a thesis in the Magis Honors Program in STEM (BIOL 487S/489S) involving research that generates original data.
b. Complete a fellowship or internship for summer research in a life science-related project.
c. Complete Undergraduate Research (BIOL 393 or BIOL 394 ).
3. Critically evaluate biological data (two courses or experiences)
The advancement of biological inquiry depends upon the critical analysis and evaluation of biological data. Students must gain expertise in acquiring data either first-hand, from primary literature sources, or from bioinformatics databases, and in analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting the data.
Students should complete two of the following courses or experiences:
a. A course approved by the department that fulfills this requirement.
b. Defend an Honors Thesis (BIOL 488H/489H) or a thesis in the Magis Honors Program in STEM (BIOL 487S/489S) that involves analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of data.
c. Complete a fellowship or internship for summer research in a life science-related project that involves the analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of data.
d. Complete a faculty-directed research project of at least one semester in duration that involves the analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of data.
4. Demonstrate mastery of the scientific method (one course or experience}
The advancement of biological inquiry also depends upon the proper execution of the scientific method. This experience would ordinarily be demonstrated by activities involving experimental design. The experimental design must employ the scientific method, which includes designing a hypothesis and protocol, gathering data, analyzing and interpreting results, developing conclusions, and formulating directions for further investigation. Each student must be involved in all aspects of the scientific method.
Students should complete one of the following courses or experiences:
a. A course approved by the department that fulfills this requirement.
b. Complete a project in the Honors Program or in the Magis Honors Program in STEM that incorporates all aspects of the scientific method, as affirmed by the research mentor.
c. Complete a fellowship or internship for summer research in a life science-related project that incorporates all aspects of the scientific method.
d. Complete a faculty-directed research project of at least one semester in duration that incorporates all aspects of the scientific method.
5. Effectively communicate biological information in writing (two courses or experiences)
Communication is essential for the scientific process. Writing is one effective way to communicate. Products that satisfy this requirement must be individually authored papers written in the style of an article for a scientific journal. The majority of citations must be from the primary literature. Students should complete two of the following courses or experiences:
a. A course approved by the department that fulfills this requirement.
b. Complete a project in the Honors Program or the Magis Honors Program in STEM that satisfies the criteria listed above.
c. Complete a fellowship or internship for research in a life science-related project that produces a document that satisfies the criteria listed above.
d. Complete a faculty-directed research project of at least one semester in duration that produces a document that satisfies the criteria listed above.
e. Complete a document that meets the above criteria either in a class or independently under the direction of a biology faculty mentor.
6. Effectively communicate biological information orally (two courses or experiences)
Communication is essential for the scientific process. Delivering an oral presentation is one effective way to communicate. Each student must give two oral presentations, each on a different topic. For each, they must speak for at least 10 minutes without relying heavily on reading from notes or slides to an audience of at least 5 individuals, one of whom must be the instructor of record.
Students should complete two of the following courses or experiences:
a. A course approved by the department that fulfills this requirement.
b. Complete a project in the Honors Program or the Magis Honors Program in STEM that satisfies the criteria listed above.
c. Make a presentation that meets the above criteria either in a class or outside of class under the direction of a biology faculty mentor.
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