The Biology Program
The Major
Advisers: Students should choose their advisers, according to their interests, from the department faculty, with the exception that the Chair of the Board of Pre-Health Advisers does not serve as a major adviser.
Adviser for Study Abroad: Paulette Peckol.
The major in Biological Sciences is designed to provide
- a strong basis for understanding biological perspectives on various issues,
- conceptual breadth across several major disciplines in biology,
- depth in one or more specialized fields in biology,
- experience with modern tools and techniques of biological research, and
- the opportunity to personally experience the excitement and process of scientific investigation. Within this general framework, students can construct course programs that serve their individual interests and plans after graduation, while insuring that they acquire a broad background in the biological sciences and exposure to related fields such as chemistry, physics, geology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science.
Prospective majors should consult with biology faculty in choosing their courses. In their first semesters, students are encouraged to enroll in one of the introductory courses (BIO 100-149) and/or an appropriate core course (BIO 150-156) as well as chemistry (CHM 111 or 118).
The following requirements for the major apply to students declaring their major in the spring of 2007 and beyond. Students from other class years should consult with their advisers concerning major requirements.
The major requires 56 credits.
The core course requirement:
BIO 150/151: Cells, Physiology and Development/lab
BIO 152/153: Genetics, Genomics and Evolution/lab
BIO 154/155: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation/lab
CHM 111/118 and a course in statistics are also required. MTH 245 is strongly recommended for Biological Sciences majors.
The distribution requirement:
All majors must take at least one upper level course in each of the following three core areas:
Cells, Physiology and Development:
BIO 200-207, 300-322
Genetics, Genomics and Evolution:
BIO 230-235, 332-351
Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation:
BIO 260-273, 362-390
The advanced course requirement:
At least three 300-level courses are required, one of which must be a laboratory course; courses from other departments/programs may be counted, with approval of the adviser.
The laboratory course requirement:
At least six laboratory courses are required, two of which must be core courses laboratories (BIO 151, 153 or 155) and one of which must be at the 300 level. The remaining three laboratories must be chosen from among 200- and 300-level offerings.
With the adviser’s approval, a semester of Special Studies (400) may count as a 200-level laboratory course, and a semester of Honors research (430, 431, or 432) may fulfill the 300-level laboratory requirement.
Elective courses:
Any departmental course at the 200-level or above may be used for elective credit. Students may also count one introductory level course (BIO 100-149).
Up to two courses from other departments or programs may be counted as electives, provided that these relate to a student’s particular interests in biology and are chosen in consultation with her adviser. Such courses might include, but are not limited to BCH 252 and 253; CHM 222 and 223; ESS 215; EVS 300; GEO 231; NSC 200; NSC 311.
Independent research:
Independent research is strongly encouraged but not required for the Biological Sciences major. Up to two semesters of Special Studies (400) or Honors research (430, 431, or 432) may be counted toward completion of the major.
Options for majors with Advanced Placement credit:
Majors with scores of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement examination in biology may receive four credits toward the major in lieu of one core course (BIO 150, 152, or 154). Students should choose the appropriate core course in consultation with their major advisers or other members of the department.
The Minor
Advisers: Members of the Department also serve as advisers for the minor.
The requirements for the minor in Biological Sciences comprise 24 credits chosen in consultation with an adviser. These courses usually include at least one core course and must include one 300-level course. No more than one course designed primarily for non-majors may be included. One course from another department or program may be included provided that course is related to a students particular interest in biology and is chosen in consultation with her adviser.
Honors
Director: Virginia Hayssen.
Requirements:
The same as for the major, with 8 or 12 thesis credits in the senior year involving an individual investigation, an oral presentation, and a written thesis. The thesis is graded by 2-3 readers: the thesis adviser, a faculty member in biology, and optionally a third faculty member outside the department. The final honors determination is based on overall GPA (20%), final oral presentation (20%), and quality of the thesis (60%). The thesis course (430D or 432D) receives a grade which is calculated in the overall GPA.
Eligibility:
A GPA of 3.3 for courses in the major taken during the 4 semesters preceding entry to the honors program to include courses in the major taken at other institutions. In addition, a thesis proposal (500-1000 words) must be approved by the thesis adviser and the members of the department prior to the college deadlines for submission of honors applications.
430d Thesis
8 credits
Full year course; Offered each year
432d Thesis
12 credits
Full year course; Offered each year
Prehealth Professional Programs
Students may prepare for health profession schools by majoring in any area, as long as they take courses that meet the minimum requirements for entrance. For most schools, these are two semesters each of English, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and biology. The science courses must include laboratories. Biology courses should be selected in consultation with the adviser, taking into consideration the student’s major and specific interests in the health professions. Other courses often recommended include biochemistry, mathematics including calculus and/or statistics, and social or behavioral science. Because health profession schools differ in the details of their requirements, students should confer with a Prehealth adviser as early as possible about specific requirements.
Related Programs
Biochemistry
Environmental Science and Policy
Marine Sciences
Neuroscience
Graduate Program
The Department of Biological Sciences maintains an active graduate program leading to the Master of Science Degree in Biological Sciences. The program of study emphasizes independent research supported by advanced course work. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a strong background in the life sciences and a clear commitment to independent laboratory, field and/or theoretical research. The department offers opportunities for original work in a wide variety of fields, including animal behavior, biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, ecology, environmental science, evolutionary biology, genetics, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, neurobiology, plant sciences and physiology. Students pursuing the M.S. degree are required to participate in the Graduate Seminar (BIO 507); and are expected to undertake a course of study, designed in conjunction with their adviser, that will include appropriate courses both within and outside the Department.
Adviser: Robert Dorit.
507 Seminar on Recent Advances and Current Problems in the Biological Sciences
Students in this seminar discuss articles from the primary literature representing diverse fields of biology and present on their own research projects. Journal articles will be selected to coordinate with departmental colloquia. In alternate weeks, students will present talks on research goals, data collection and data analysis. This course is required for graduate students and must be taken in both years of graduate residence.
2 credits
Laura Katz, Members of the Department
Offered Fall 2007
510 Advanced Studies in Molecular Biology
3 to 5 credits
Members of the Department
Offered both semesters each year
520 Advanced Studies in Botany
3 to 5 credits
Members of the Department
Offered both semesters each year
530 Advanced Studies in Microbiology
3 to 5 credits
Members of the Department
Offered both semesters each year
540 Advanced Studies in Zoology
3 to 5 credits
Members of the Department
Offered both semesters each year
550 Advanced Studies in Environmental Biology
3 to 5 credits
Members of the Department
Offered both semesters each year
590d Research and Thesis
8 credits
Full year course; Offered each year
Preparation for graduate study in the biological sciences:
Graduate programs that grant advanced degrees in biology vary in their admission requirements, but often include at least one year of mathematics (preferably including statistics), physics, and organic chemistry. Many programs stress both broad preparation across the biological sciences and a strong background in a specific area. Many institutions require scores on the Graduate Record Examination, which emphasizes a broad foundation in biology as well as quantitative and verbal skills. Students contemplating graduate study beyond Smith should review the requirements of particular programs as early as possible in the course of their studies and seek advice from members of the department.
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Revised
09/18/2008
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