Program Requirements: Biology

The Biology Department’s course offerings provide students with the flexibility to become broadly trained, an option well suited for those interested in secondary education, or to focus in a particular area of the biological sciences. The requirements and general recommendations for the biology major are appropriate for students seeking careers in health- or research-related fields, education or further academic training. During their four years at Clark, students work closely with their academic advisors to select courses that best fit their overall academic interests and career goals.

Requirements for all biology majors:

• 10 courses in biology, including BIOL100, 101 or 103 and 102 (see below)
  
• Two courses in chemistry (CHEM101and CHEM102)
  
• Courses in mathematics to include a year of calculus MATH120 and 121, or MATH124 and 125, or one semester of calculus combined with BIOL106 Quantitative Methods in Biology; if Quantitative Methods in Biology is used to meet this requirement, it will not count toward the total of 10 required biology courses.
  
• Two additional courses in chemistry, physics, mathematics at 120 level or higher), computer science, earth system science, GIS, or physical geography. Courses applied to the major must be at the 100 level or above.
• Science and mathematics courses used to fulfill the requirements for the Biology major may not be taken with a pass option.

At least two of the 10 required biology courses must be at the 200 level or above, and  courses below the 100 level may not be used to satisfy major requirements.

Additional Requirements for the Generalized Biology Major

Of the eight courses beyond BIOL101 (or 100 or 103) and BIOL102, one course must be completed in each of the following three areas:

1. Molecular and Cell Biology, including BIOL118 Genetics, and BIOL137 Cell Biology

2. Organismal Diversity, including BIOL109 Microbiology, BIOL110 Botanical Diversity, BIOL112 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, BIOL140 Biology of the Brain, and BIOL242 Animal Behavior

3. Ecology and Evolution, including BIOL105 Evolution, BIOL114 Marine Biology, BIOL216 Ecology, and BIOL220 Population Biology

In selecting these courses, biology majors should  take at least (1) one course that develops research techniques and approaches in one area of biology, (2) one seminar course, and (3) a one semester research experience in an upper level research course (on-or off-campus), an internship, or directed research in a faculty research laboratory.

To guide students interested in Cell and Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolution, and Prehealth Biology, recommended curricula are outlined below.

Recommended Curriculum for Cell and Molecular Biology

For students who wish to prepare for graduate studies in medicine or cell and molecular biology, education, or employment in biomedical research, the eight courses beyond BIOL101 (or 100 or 103) and BIOL102 should be structured as follows:

• BIOL137 Cell Biology and BIOL118 Genetics
  
• Two upper-level informational courses aimed at advancing understanding of cell and molecular processes, including CHEM228 Molecular Genetics, BIOL250 Immunology, BIOL221 Developmental Biology, BIOL234 Signal Transduction, BIOL238 Seminar in Cell Biology, and BIOL244 Biological Clocks.
  
• One course that develops research techniques: BIOL231 Recombinant DNA, BIOL219 Physiological Ecology of Marine Algae, BIOL229 Principles of Cell Culture, BIOL227 Somatic and Molecular Cell Genetics, BIOL254 Molecular Systematics and Evolution, BCMB271 Biochemistry, or BIOL299 Directed Study.
  
• A minimum of three elective courses in biology
  
• Research Experience: Students are expected to include at least one upper-division research course, or another research experience, such as directed research in a laboratory, in their coursework.

Students should select these biology courses with the additional aim of completing courses in the three areas described above in the generalized biology major requirements. Students are encouraged to fulfill the additional science course requirement of the generalized major with Organic Chemistry and Physics.

Recommended Curriculum in Ecology and Evolution

For students who wish to prepare for work or advanced studies in ecology or evolutionary biology, the eight biology courses beyond BIOL101 and 102 should be structured as follows:

• BIOL105 Evolution
  
• Two courses that are primarily informational in content, aimed at describing a wide variety of aspects of the natural environment or evolution, including BIOL109 Microbiology, BIOL110 Introduction to Plant Diversity, BIOL111 Basic Human Anatomy, BIOL114 Marine Biology, Biology, BIOL242 Animal Behavior
  
• Two courses with an analytical or theoretical orientation, including BIOL118 Genetics, BIOL135 Paradox of Animal Sociality, BIOL216 Ecology, BIOL220 Population Biology, BIOL232 Landscape Ecology, BIOL254 Molecular Systematics and Evolution
  
• One course that develops research techniques: BIOL201 Ecology of Atlantic Shores, BIOL224 Ecology of Disease Vectors, BIOL219 Physiological Ecology of Marine Algae, BIOL242 Animal Behavior
  
• One seminar course: BIOL217 Ecology of Infectious Diseases, BIOL223 Topics in Marine Biology,  BIOL246 Biology of Symbiosis, BIOL207 Conservation Biology
  
• Research Experience: Students are strongly recommended to pursue course experiences that remove them from the traditional classroom setting. These include directed study in faculty research laboratories, internships, and  field research courses.

Recommended Curriculum in Prehealth Biology

For more information, visit the Biology Web site at http://www.clarku.edu/departments/biology/undergrad/prehealth.cfm.