| Major - Biology
Humans, as individuals and as members of society, are biological systems and participants in biological phenomena. The Biology Department believes that a knowledge of biology is necessary to understand the natural world and the role of humans as components of that world. The accurate dissemination of knowledge about the diversity of nature is seen as an integral component of a liberal arts education, which seeks to understand better the broad panoply of human experience. |
The department provides the non-major with an appreciation for the broad organization, evolution, and interrelationship of all life; a knowledge of the techniques, goals, and limits of science; and a quality laboratory experience where personal verification of biological phenomena is possible through the use of the tools of science. Building upon that background, biology majors will be provided with opportunities for lecture, laboratory, library, and teaching experience, with the aim of securing for them a solid background in the biological sciences. |
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The department is committed to providing its majors with adequate preparation for entry into graduate and professional programs, as well as with competence in laboratory, oral, and organizational skills for entry into the workplace. Biology majors are considered partners in the learning process, and as such are expected to demonstrate an attitude of helpful cooperation in the department in their quest to acquire knowledge.
Many career opportunities await the students who choose to major in Biology. All the different paths start with a similar science core. Then students can prepare themselves for futures in graduate research or professional schools such as Medical, Dental, Optometry, Pharmacy, or Medical Technology via selection of appropriate courses that will lead to the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology. This highly prescriptive BS degree requires the necessary depth and breadth in preparatory undergraduate coursework in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics needed for entry into graduate biology programs or professional schools. It is the responsibility of students to acquire information on the graduate or professional schools of their choice to determine specific program entry requirements to facilitate admission to those programs. Alternatively, other students may decide to enter the workplace immediately after graduation and may choose to select courses leading to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biology. The BA allows greater flexibility in the choice of undergraduate courses while still ensuring that an introductory level of knowledge in the Natural Sciences is maintained. These students will have additional hours of free electives available to sample more widely or deeply of the liberal arts. This BA also provides an alternative choice for students who may wish to sample some of the depth required in the BS degree while at the same time establishing further background in courses of interest outside of the Natural Sciences Division. Students pursuing either a BS or a BA degree also have the opportunity to acquire minors in Environmental Science, Allied Health, Biotechnology, or Chemistry.
Biology – Students
Upon graduation, some of our Bachelor of Science students have secured positions in industrial or governmental laboratories in fields such as biotechnology or medical diagnostics, attended graduate schools of biology, public health or physical therapy, or entered professional schools of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, histotechnology, medical technology, podiatry, cytotechnology, or other health-related fields.
Some of our Bachelor of Arts graduates have, upon graduation, launched careers in such areas as law school, teaching, horticulture, crime laboratories, pharmaceutical or technical sales, hospital administration, science museum work, or quality control positions.
Biology – Program of Study
Requirements for the B.S. Degree
Within or in addition to all of the general requirements of the College for graduation, the following specific courses are required: Biology 101 or 155, 201, 231, 300, 310 or 361, 407, 408; Chemistry 105, 106, 221, 222; Mathematics 151, 152, and 208; Physics 101, 102. (Mathematics 135 and Science 110 are not required.) In addition, 16 credits of approved upper level Biology electives are required for graduation. Students must achieve a “C” or better in all required Biology courses (Biology 101 or 155, 201, 231, 300, 310 or 361, 407 and 408) to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. A “C” average is also required in all Biology courses counting toward the major.
Requirements for the B.A. Degree
Within or in addition to all of the general requirements of the College for graduation, the following specific courses are required: Biology 101 or 155, 201, 231, 300, 310 or 361, 407, 408; Chemistry 105, 106; Mathematics 151 and 152; Physics 101 (Mathematics 135 and Science 110 are not required). In addition, 16 credits of approved upper level Biology electives are required for graduation. Students must achieve a “C” or better in all required Biology courses (Biology 101 or 155, 201, 231, 300, 310 or 361, 407 and 408) to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. A “C” average is also required in all Biology courses counting toward the major.
Internships
Students are encouraged to seek internships to add dimension to their academic experience. Usually students opt to do internships in the summer but they may be done during the academic year with permission of the Department Chair. Credits earned through internships are not counted toward the major. They are counted as elective hours toward graduation and graded on a pass-fail basis. Further requirements for internship programs are discussed under Special Academic Programs in the College Catalogue. Internships are arranged through the Director of Career Services and Internships.
Non-Biology majors:
Fifteen (15) credits of Biology at the 200 level or above.
Biology Majors:
Environmental Science Minor with Biology: choose 15 credit hours in Biology and Environmental Science at the 200 level or higher including those with (*). BI 231*: (Organismal Diversity), BI 305: (Field Biology), BI 306: (Entomology), BI 308: (Microbiology), BI 311: (Taxonomy of Vascular Plants), BI 326: (Plant Ecology), BI 403: (Ecology), EV 300*: (Environmental Science), and EV 350*: (Environmental Issues).
Biotechnology Minor with Biology: choose 15 credits including those with (*). BI 300*: Genetics (4), BI 308*: Microbiology (4), CH 316: Biochemistry (3), BI 322*: Biological Techniques (4), BI 409: Immunology (3), BI 314, 411: Special Problems in Biology (approved by the Department Chair) (2), BI 423: Cell Physiology (4)
Interdisciplinary Allied Health Minor with Biology: choose 15 credits including those with (*). BI 360*: Human Anatomy (4), BI 361*: Human Physiology (4), BI 308: Microbiology (4), BI 402: Histology (4), BI 409: Immunology (3), BI 420: Embryology and Development (4), RC 330: Kinesiology (3), RC 335: Physiology of Exercise (4), Any Statistics course (3)
*If MA 151 is exempted, General Chemistry can be taken in the freshman year; Physics or Organic Chemistry can be taken in the sophomore year; the remaining ancillary science (Physics or Organic Chemistry) can be taken in the junior year. Courses thus marked are required only for the Bachelor of Science degree, and therefore become elective for Bachelor of Arts students.
Courses Offered
BI 101 Natural World
BI 103 Introductory Biology for Education Majors
BI 155 Human Anatomy and Physiology
BI 201 Cell Biology
BI 203 Plants in Society
BI 231 Organismal Diversity
BI 300 Genetics
BI 303 Parasitology
BI 305 Field Biology
BI 306 Entomology
BI 308 Microbiology
BI 310 Animal Physiology
BI 311 Taxonomy of Vascular Plants
BI 312 Issues in Natural Sciences
BI 313-315, 410-412 Special Problems in Biology
BI 322 Biological Techniques
BI 326 Plant Ecology
BI350 Environmental Issues
BI 360 Human Anatomy
BI 361 Human Physiology
BI 402 Histology
BI 403 Ecology
BI 407-408 Coordinating Seminars I, II
BI 409 Immunology
BI 420 Embryology
BI 423 Cell Physiology
Biology – Faculty
Dr. Elizabeth Baker, Professor of Biology, Chair of Natural Sciences Division, Liberal Studies Coordinator
B.A. George Washington University, M.S. University of Michigan, Ph.D. University of Virginia
Dr. Michael McLeod, Chair and Professor of Biology, Coordinator of Environmental Science
B.S. Lincoln Memorial University, M.S. East Tennesee State University, Ph.D. Miami University of Ohio
Dr. Sheila Reilly, Professor of Biology
B.S. Grove City College, Ph.D. State University of New York-Stony Brook
Mr. Robert Tompkins, Associate Professor of Biology
A.A.S. Rutledge College, B.S. Guilford College, M.S. North Carolina State University
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