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BIOLOGY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Academic Programs

A concentration in biology is the traditional undergraduate preparation for students planning to pursue career interests in the biological or health-related sciences. Although the majority of concentrators ultimately pursue careers in the life sciences, a significant number of individuals with other career interests choose the concentration within the liberal arts context. The department’s concentrators are found today in positions of responsibility in many fields outside the life sciences, including business, theology, law, and the performing arts. Biology concentrators who are interested in pursuing a career in elementary or secondary school teaching should refer to “Educational Studies,” listed alphabetically in this chapter.

     The Department of Biology offers a concentration program designed to provide students with a common conceptual foundation through two required courses and an opportunity to pursue breadth and specialization through an extensive selection of elective course offerings, seminars, and research tutorials. The Biology Department has instituted a new curriculum, which is described below and began with the Class of 2006. Students in the Class of 2005 are held to the requirements noted in the 2002-2003 Course Catalogue. Questions about requirements may be directed to the department chair.

 

Concentration program   Students must complete for credit a minimum of nine courses in the department, plus CHEM 101-102 (or CHEM 111). It is strongly recommended that chemistry requirements be taken in the first year, concurrently with beginning biology courses. A biology concentrator can begin the program either by taking a 100-level course or by enrolling in one of the two required courses (see below). The 100-level courses are generally topic-based courses and the offering of courses varies from semester to semester. 

     All concentrators are required to take BIOL 211, Evolution, Ecology and Diversity; and BIOL 212, Molecules, Cells, and Genes. BIOL 212 is generally taken during the sophomore year because it requires CHEM 102. Students must complete BIOL 211 and BIOL 212 with a minimum grade of C-. Students are also required to take a research tutorial (a course numbered BIOL 475 or higher) and a capstone senior seminar. Biology students can choose between BIOL 450, Seminar in Molecular Biology; BIOL 454, Seminar in Evolutionary Biology; or ENST 480, Interdisciplinary Investigations of Environmental Issues, for their capstone senior seminar.

     The remainder of the nine biology courses required for the concentration can be selected among any of the elective courses offered in the department. Elective courses require either BIOL 211 or 212. Only one 100-level course and one research tutorial course can be counted toward the nine courses. The elective courses are found listed as 200- and 300-level courses.

     Students expecting to attend graduate or professional schools are reminded that these schools frequently recommend or require calculus, statistics, computer science, chemistry (typically through organic), and a year of physics as cognates to the biology concentration. 

     Biology concentrators are strongly encouraged to attend biology seminars that are held approximately biweekly each semester. Students enrolled in 400-level biology courses are expected to attend all biology seminars during the term of enrollment.

 

Minor Concentration Program   A student may plan a minor concentration program in biology in consultation with a member of the department staff. Such a program consists of five biology courses, of which only one can be a 100-level course. The policies regarding minimum grade requirements established for major concentration apply to the minor program as well. A student entering Colgate as a first-year student may apply for transfer credit for one course taken at another institution. A student transferring from another institution with upper-class standing may petition for transfer credit for a second course toward minor concentration.

 

Honors and High Honors   Honors in biology requires an overall GPA of 3.3 in courses counted toward the concentration, an oral presentation to the department, and a research paper submitted to the research adviser based on at least one term of research in a BIOL 475 or higher-level course. High honors requires an overall 3.6 GPA in courses counted toward the concentration, a research paper submitted to biology department faculty based on at least two terms of research in biology courses numbered 475 or higher or their equivalent, and an oral presentation to faculty on the research work. The awarding of high honors will be decided by the department in consultation with the adviser and will be based on the quality of the research project and the oral presentation. Research projects submitted for Honors or High Honors must have been carried out on campus.

 

Awards   See “Honors and Awards: Biology” in Chapter VI.

 

Advanced Placement Policy   An incoming student who submits an AP grade of 4 or 5 will receive credit for BIOL 121. This course can be counted as a 100-level course toward the concentration requirements. Students with AP credit are encouraged to enter the department’s curriculum with BIOL 211.

 

Transfer Credit   A maximum of two biology course credits transferred from other institutions may be accepted and applied toward concentration and area distributions. For incoming first-year students, such courses must be approved by the department’s Transfer and Exemption Committee shortly after students arrive on campus. Students must submit a copy of the course syllabus, lecture and laboratory notes, a course catalogue description, and the text used. Matriculated students who plan to transfer a course must supply the department’s Transfer and Exemption Committee with a course catalogue description and course syllabus prior to taking the course to receive approval. Students transferring to Colgate with upper-class standing may petition the department for permission to transfer a third course. Courses taken in the Montana  Program in Biology (see below) are not counted in the department’s transfer course policy maximum of two biology course credits.

 

Teacher Certification   The Department of Educational Studies offers a teacher education program for concentrators in biology who are interested in pursuing a career in elementary or secondary school teaching. Please refer to “Educational Studies,” listed alphabetically in this chapter.