~ For the liberal-arts major, with a general interest in the
study of living things, the introductory course General Biology (BI 01-02) explores the
scientific way of
thinking, the basic methods of science, the diversity of living things,
and the relationship of the biological sciences to many of the current
problems facing a modern society. In addition, the Biosphere at Risk (BI 05), an
introductory environmental science course, explores environmental issues
of global significance, providing a scientific basis for both
understanding the causes of and developing solutions for environmental
problems.
~ For the student majoring in Biology, the curriculum is
designed to explore the basic properties of life from the molecular to the
level of communities and ecosystems, to evaluate critically this
information through rigorous application of the scientific method, and to
incorporate this body of information in the framework of modern
evolutionary theory.
~ Biology students choose a balance of courses
from several academic areas. To this end, each student works closely with a faculty advisor
to design the student's course schedule to insure that the requirements for the program are met.
This schedule must include the following required courses:
- General Biology (BI 3-4)
- Biostatistics (BI 45)
- General Chemistry (CH 11-12)
- Organic Chemistry (CH 27-28)
- General (PS 27-28) or Classical (PS 29-30) Physics
~ Beyond these requirements, students must select a minimum of
seven other courses from among the following:
- Comparative Anatomy (BI 15-16),
- Aquatic Ecology (BI 19),
- Ecology (BI 20),
- Cell and Tissue Culture (BI 23),
- Developmental Biology (BI 24),
- Evolutionary Biology (BI 25),
- Genetics (BI 27),
- Conservation Biology (BI 28),
- Environmental Biology of Plants (BI
29),
- Principles of Biotechnology (BI 30),
- Cell Biology (BI 33),
- Animal Physiology (BI 34),
- Biology of Microorganisms (BI 35),
- Biochemistry ( BI 36),
- Vertebrate Zoology (BI 37),
- Invertebrate Zoology (BI 38),
- Selected Topics in Biochemistry (BI 41),
- Ornithology (BI 47).
~ Scientific research is an important aspect of an
education in science and each major is strongly encouraged to replace one
of the seven required courses with one of the following: 1) participation in
Independent Research in biology (BI 21-22) under
the direction of a faculty member, 2) participate in
the Washington internship Program (BI 50), or 3) develop, with direction from the Department
Chair, an individual internship program (BI 51 and/or BI 52).
~ The Biology Program seeks to develop in its majors
organizational and communication skills, critical thinking,
and the ability to synthesize information. Graduates of the program are well
prepared to undertake advanced study in graduate, medical or dental school,
or for a professional career in business or education. Science requirements for
the Teacher Education Program are noted under the Natural Science Major.
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