Academic Bulletin Biology - 2007-08

Currently viewing 2007-08 bulletin

Faculty: E. Wetzel (chair), P. Burton, A. Ingram, D. Krohne, M. McColgin, J. Munford, L.D. Polley* R. Sparks-Thissen.
*Sabbatical leave, full year

The curriculum of the Biology Department is designed to introduce the student to the breadth of the discipline of biology and to provide the foundation for further study in biology. A core sequence of courses introduces the student to genetics, cell biology, organismal, biology, and ecology. The student may then choose elective courses in areas relevant to his career interests. The biology major is designed to prepare the student for graduate or professional work in biology as well as other careers such as law or business.

We emphasize the process of biological science through course content, laboratory and field work, independent study, and summer research with faculty. The capstone course, Biology 401, introduces the student to the primary literature in biology and the skills needed to analyze critically new information in biology.

For the non-major we offer a number of opportunities to study biology. For the student looking for a laboratory course for distribution, Biology 101 introduces the basic concepts of biology by examining the biology of humans. This course can also be used as an entry point for additional work in biology since it is a prerequisite for several courses in the department.

Requirements for the Major: Students majoring in biology must complete: (1) a core of 7 course credits; (2) 2 additional course credits in biology; (3) Physics 111; (4) Chemistry 111 and 221; (5) Comprehensive exam in biology.

The Biology Core Curriculum: Biology 111, 112, 211, 212, 213, 401, and one of the following: 221, 222, 224, 225, 226.

Introductory Courses (two course credits): Students will begin their major in biology by taking Biology 111 and 112. These courses will be completed during the freshman year.
Genetics and Cell Biology (one course credit each): Biology 211 and 212 should be completed during the sophomore year.

Organismal Biology (one course credit): one of these courses:
  Biology 221 (Comparative Anatomy and Embryology of the Vertebrates)
  Biology 222 (Biology of the Invertebrates)
  Biology 224 (Biology of the Vascular Plants)
  Biology 225 (Microbiology)
  Biology 226 (Parasitology)

This requirement must be completed after the Introductory Courses and before the beginning of the second semester of the senior year.

Ecology (one course credit): Biology 213 must be completed during the first semester of either the junior or senior year. Students taking Biology 213 in their senior year must have completed the Organismal Biology requirement in a previous semester.

Senior Seminar (one course credit): Usually Biology 401 is taken during the first semester of the senior year. Students who will be off-campus during the first semester of their senior year should take Biology 401 during the first semester of their junior year.

Supporting Biology Curriculum: Biology majors must complete 2 additional course credits for a total of nine course credits in biology. These credits may be compiled from the following: Biology 151, 221, 222, 224, 225, 226, 311, 313, 314, 315, 202, 387, 388. Because some of these courses (Biology 224, 225, 226, 311, 313, 314 and 315) are offered in alternate years, students must carefully plan their curriculum, (in consultation with a Biology Department faculty member). In some years, one or more special topics courses (Biology 371) may be offered and may be used to complete the major. Descriptions of these courses will be provided to students and advisors before advance registration.

Students interested in biological research are encouraged to undertake Independent Study (Biology 387, 388) during their junior or senior year. Well-prepared students may begin Biology Independent Study before their junior year.

Beyond the nine course credits required for the biology major, students may include two additional biology course credits to satisfy graduation requirements. Students interested in graduate school in biology are encouraged to consider this option.

Supporting Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics/Computer Science Curriculum: Physics 111 and Chemistry 111 and 221 are required. Students intending to proceed either to a professional or a graduate school should plan to include Mathematics 111, Physics 112 or 113, and Chemistry 222, 231, and 241 in their curriculum. Usually Chemistry 111, 231 and 241 are taken during the sophomore year; Physics 111 and 112 or 113 and Chemistry 221 and 222 are taken during the junior year. Mathematics 112, Computer Science 111, and a statistics course (Mathematics 217 or Division III 252) may be important support courses for some biology majors.

Comprehensive Exam in Biology: Students must pass a two-day written comprehensive exam in biology. On the first day, students write on a series of recent papers from the primary literature drawing upon the breadth and depth of their knowledge of biology. On the second day they answer a series of questions on specific courses.

Off-campus study: Students who wish to take biology courses at other institutions to be credited towards graduation should first discuss their options with their advisor and then obtain permission from the Biology department chair.

Summer Field Study: Scholarship funds are available through the Lucy B. Graves Fund as scholarships for students to study at marine biological laboratories. The Robert O. Petty Fund and the E.W. Olive Fund support interns in field biology. Interested students should talk with the department chair.

Requirements for the Minor: Biology 111, 112, and three other course credits in the department. At least one of the courses beyond Biology 111, 112 must be a laboratory course. Students who wish to initiate a biology minor via the Biology 101 course will complete four additional courses.

An Area of Concentration and High School Teaching licensure in this discipline is awarded by the Teacher Education Program. For licensure information please see the Indiana Teacher Licensing Requirements for Adolescent and Young Adult License section and for information on this specific discipline see the Content Area Course Requirements for Teaching at the Adolescent and Young Adult Licensure Level section.