Professors Goodman-F, Hargadon, Wolyniak, Werth; Associate Professors Fischer, Lowry; Assistant Professor Starr; Visiting Assistant Professor Narayanan.
Chair: Michael J. Wolyniak
The biology major provides students with extensive training and is specifically designed to prepare students for careers and graduate education in the biological sciences. In contrast to most undergraduate biology programs that require a two-semester introductory biology sequence at the 100-level, all H-SC biology majors will complete a single-semester, 100-level Principles of Biology lecture and laboratory course that introduces students to basic concepts in biology. These foundations are then further explored in three semesters of lecture/laboratory courses at the 200-level in Genetics & Cell Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Ecology. This unique structure ensures that all biology majors receive in-depth coverage of this broad discipline that will tie together seemingly distinct sub-disciplines within the field.
The Biology Department offers a wide range of advanced coursework, and biology majors have great flexibility in personalizing the remaining course requirements to allow for in-depth study of topics that will best prepare them for graduate programs and careers (Course Catalogue). Students have the opportunity to participate in research, including both course-based lab research and independent research with faculty members. Working together, they are addressing exciting questions in biology, including cancer biology/immunology, virus prevalence/pathogenicity in reptiles, whale physiology, invasive plant species, neurobiology, and genomic characterization of bacteriophages, while also honing their critical thinking and oral/written communication skills, ultimately making them more successful upon graduation.
All students interested in majoring in Biology or Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are requested to see a representative of the Department of Biology during their freshman year to discuss their future programs of study.
The requirements for a major in Biology are the following: Biology 110/151 (4 hours credit); Biology 201, 203, 299 (9 hours credit); Chemistry 110/151, and 221/152 (8 hours credit); at least 22 additional credit hours in Biology from one of the following categories that encompass a minimum of 6 courses at the 200/300 level, at least 4 of which are at the 300 level (for a total of 43 credit hours including the required courses listed above):
- Category I (Ecology and Biodiversity): Biology 260, 261, 271, 317, 321, 324, 331, 332, 341, 343, 347, 349, 353, 354, 355, 360, 361, 362, 363, 350, 356, 376.
- Category II (Genetics and Cellular Biology): Biology 302, 304, 311, 313, 314, 321, 323, 324, 336, 358.
- Category III (Biomedical Sciences): Biology 204, 205, 302, 303, 304, 310, 311, 313, 314, 321, 323, 324, 331, 332, 333, 336, 358, 363.
- Category IV (General Biology): At least one course drawn from each of Categories I, I, and III. A course that is listed under multiple categories does not count multiple times towards the completion of this distribution requirement, but rather satisfies a single category requirement.
Majors are encouraged to take a course in statistics, most likely Mathematics 121 (Statistics). Note that the Biology Department offers a course in Biostatistics (Biology 317) that counts towards the major and provides invaluable experience in the mathematical application found in the life sciences.
The requirements for a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are as follows: Chemistry 110/151, 221/152, 230/251, 231, 335 (also listed a Biology 311), 336, 340, 351/352; Biology 110/151, 201, 304, 358, and one of the following electives: 310, 313, 321, 323, or 324. For students interested in pursuing topics related to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in graduate school, the following courses are recommended but not required: Chemistry 252, 341, 440, 441, Mathematics 121, and additional Biology electives from the list above.
Note: Majors planning to pursue graduate or professional studies should speak with Biology faculty as soon as possible to determine which other courses (e.g., calculus, physics, organic chemistry) should be taken.
The requirements for a minor in Biology are the following: Biology 110/151, 201, 203; one elective Biology course at the 300-level (3-4 hours credit); and an additional elective Biology course at the 200- or 300-level (3-4 hours credit). At least one of these elective courses must include a laboratory.
The requirements for a minor in Neuroscience are Biology 110/151 (4 hours credit), Biology 201, Biology 333, Psychology 101, Psychology 250, Psychology 301 and 351, and one course from among the following: Biology 130, 204, 304, 307, 310, 311, 347, 358; Chemistry 110/151; Computer Science 161; Physics 131/151; Philosophy 102, 314; Psychology 204, 207, 302, 303, 312 and 352, 313, 350.
Please note also the availability of a minor in Environmental Studies.
updated 8/19/24