Program: Biology Program Code: (BIOL)
Program Faculty:
Tweeten*, Gildensoph, Myers, Norton, Olson, Pellegrini, Phillips, Wygal (*department chair)

Program Description:
The biology department provides students with an understanding of the major principles of biology in a manner that encourages the development of critical-thinking skills. Students also receive hands-on experience with modern biological techniques and instrumentation. The major prepares students for professions in industry, government and teaching and for graduate training in research, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, optometry, and medical technology.

For students choosing a biology major, only the B.A. option is available. The B.A./B.S. option is limited to students who are in the biology pre-physical therapy sequence of courses and completing supporting work for the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) program. If such a student is admitted to the MPT program at the end of her junior year, she will receive a B.A. or B.S. (her choice) in Applied Science in Biology upon completion of the first year of the MPT program. If she is not accepted into the MPT program but completes the regular biology major, she will receive either the B.A. or B.S. (her choice) in Biology.

The biology major is available in the Day Program. Biology courses for nonmajors are available in the Day Program and Weekend College.

BIOL Course Listing

Major Requirements:
BIOL121, 122 General Biology I and II
BIOL280 Cell Biology
BIOL290 Genetics
Four biology courses at the 300 level, including one course with an animal focus (A), one course with a plant focus (P), one course with an evolution/ecology focus (E), and a fourth lab-based course of the student's choice.
BIOL485W Senior Seminar
BIOL460 Internship or BIOL491 Research
Required supporting courses:
CHEM111 General Chemistry I
CHEM112 General Chemistry II
CHEM201 Organic Chemistry I
Statistics (PSYC205 Statistical Methods in Psychology, MATH110 Statistical Analysis, ECON220 Statistical Analysis for Social Sciences, or ECON225 Statistical Analysis for Economics and Business)
Recommended courses:
CHEM202 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM440 Biochemistry
MATH113 Calculus I
PHYS111, 112 Introductory Physics I and II

Minor Requirements:
Two 100-level biology courses, preferably BIOL121 and 122.
Three biology courses at or above the 280 level.

PHYSICAL THERAPY DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM
The department has a 3/3 program in Applied Science in Biology/Master of Physical Therapy (MPT). A description of this program may be found in the Pre-Professional Programs section of this catalog. Students complete liberal arts core requirements, all MPT prerequisites, 160 hours clinical experience, and the following biology courses:
BIOL121, 122 General Biology I and II
BIOL280 Cell Biology
BIOL290 Genetics
BIOL312 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
BIOL314 Comparative Animal Physiology
BIOL485W Senior Seminar
If a student does not gain entry to the MPT program after the junior year, she completes the following courses for a major (B.S. degree) in biology:
BIOL305 Ecology or BIOL330 Evolutionary Biology
BIOL310 Plant Biology or BIOL345 Plant Biochemistry and Physiology
BIOL460 Internship or BIOL491 Research
CHEM201 Organic Chemistry I
Elective course (4 credits)
Students wishing to receive a B.A. degree in biology also need to complete a foreign language through third semester and take one additional course in Philosophy or Theology.

SECONDARY EDUCATION (GRADES 5-12) LICENSURE
Biology majors seeking licensure as secondary (grades 5-12) life science teachers must declare secondary education as a minor and complete the required course work in education. Required science courses required for the biology major and the licensure are:
BIOL121, 122 General Biology I and II
BIOL280 Cell Biology
BIOL290 Genetics
BIOL310 Plant Biology
BIOL312 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
BIOL321 Biology of Microorganisms
BIOL314 Comparative Animal Physiology
CHEM111, 112 General Chemistry I and II
PHYS111 Introductory Physics I
Two courses in the earth sciences (one in astronomy and one in geology)
BIOL305 Ecology or BIOL330 Evolutionary Biology
BIOL485W Senior Seminar
BIOL460 Internship or BIOL491 Research
CHEM201 Organic Chemistry I
Statistics
Education courses:
EDUC207W Teachers as Leaders for a Changing Society
EDUC209 General Methods: Secondary and K-12
EDUC249 School Health and Chemical Health
EDUC355 Literacy in the Content Areas
EDUC365 Current Issues in Education
EDUC374 Special Methods: Middle School
EDUC375 Special Methods: Senior High
EDUC391 Student Teaching and Seminar: Middle School
EDUC395 Student Teaching and Seminar: Secondary
Supporting courses:
PSYC100 General Psychology
PSYC202 Lifespan Developmental Psychology

ELEMENTARY WITH MIDDLE SCHOOL SPECIALTY LICENSURE IN SCIENCE
Students complete the required course work in education and the following science courses:
BIOL121, 122 General Biology I and II
CHEM111, 112 General Chemistry I and II
PHYS104 Astronomy
One course in geology
Education courses:
See above (grades 5-12 licensure) for Education courses and required supporting courses.

Biology majors satisfy the Writing Requirement for Majors by completing BIOL485W Senior Seminar. They complete the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core Writing Requirement with three other writing-intensive courses (CORE 100W and 399W, and any other writing-intensive course in this or another department).