Biology Major Requirements

Biology is the study of the unity and diversity of life. Modern biology is a field of great breadth that includes such disciplines as molecular biology, genetics, development, physiology, zoology, botany, ecology, and evolutionary biology. As an interdisciplinary field, biology draws upon chemistry, mathematics, and physics, while intersecting with such other fields as psychology, anthropology, philosophy, and paleontology.

The Biology major is constructed to provide students with a broad background in the field, while offering opportunities for concentration in particular areas. The department has excellent facilities, and majors are strongly encouraged to conduct independent research with a faculty member. A major in Biology can lead to careers in research, teaching, and the health professions, as well as law, government, business, and management. The major also prepares students for further study in such interdisciplinary fields as biochemistry, nutrition, neuroscience, oceanography, and environmental science.

Students who are considering a major in Biology should consult a member of the Biology Department as early in their undergraduate career as possible. The faculty member will help plan a sequence of courses appropriate for the student’s particular interests and needs. If the Biology major is to be used as preparation for one of the health-related professions, the student should consult with a member of the Advisory Committee for the Health Professions (see section in Admissions).

BIOLOGY MAJOR—Requirements for a major in biology include a combination of cognate courses and at least nine courses within the Department of Biology. No course with a grade less than C- may be counted towards the major. The following cognate requirements must be met:

      Chemistry

 

      Quantitative Methods (one of the following)

Although not required, a two-semester course in Organic Chemistry and a two-semester course in Introductory Physics are strongly recommended, particularly for those students who are interested in the health professions or in continuing their education at the graduate level.

 Departmental courses which must be taken are:

Also required are a minimum of six courses from Groups I-IV; at least one of the courses must be from each of Groups I, II and IV.  Of the nine departmental courses, at least six must have laboratories. (Note: only one course credit for Research in Biology will count toward the total of these six courses.)

Group I—Biodiversity:  Group I offerings provide exposure to the biology of non-vertebrate organisms, the vast majority of all life. These courses employ an integrative approach with an ecological emphasis.

Group II—Cellular/Molecular Basis of Life: Group II offerings will ensure that students gain competance in the cellular and molecular processes that are fundamental to life.

Group III—Electives in Biology: Group III courses are intended to allow students the opportunity to explore others areas of biology in detail.

Group IV—Capstone Courses:  Group IV courses provide students a culminating experience in the major, and will also satisfy the senior exercise requirement.

COGNATE COURSES: Students are strongly urged to select one or more of the following courses each of which has a close relationship to the study of the biological sciences: Chemistry 208L, 211L, 212L, 312L, 316L, 401; Computer Science 115L, Engineering  411, 412;  Physics 101L, 102L; Philosophy 227, 374; Psychology 261L, 262, 265, 300, 462.  Consultation with the major advisor for the selection of courses according to individual needs is recommended.

  The Thomas Hume Bissonnette Teaching Fellow—This position will be awarded each semester to two students in the junior or senior classes who, in the judgement of the biology faculty, have those qualities of intellect and personality that will enable them to be effective teachers. Thomas Hume Bissonnette Teaching Fellows will work closely with the biology faculty in the administration and instruction of Biology 152L and Biology 153L. Students appointed to this position will receive course credit by registering in Biology 466. (Not creditable to the major.)

 Advanced Placement—Students who have secured an advanced placement grade in Biology of 4 or 5 will be excused from either Biology 152L or 153L (after consultation with the Chair) and they will be allowed 11/4 course credits toward the major.

Teaching Assistantship—Each year, by invitation, certain students will be given the opportunity to function as teaching assistants. Those accepting will work closely with a faculty member in the presentation of a listed department course. It is to be understood that the primary responsibilities of student assistants will be instructional. Students taking part in this program will receive course credit by registering in Biology 466. (Not creditable to the major.)

Research in Biology—Majors in Biology are provided the opportunity to carry on research through direct laboratory work, field work, or library research. Seniors and those students using a laboratory or library research course to satisfy the Group III requirement must simultaneously enroll in the Research Seminar (Biology 403 or 404.) Because of the nature of laboratory work and field work, students should not entertain this type of independent study unless they are willing to devote at least two semesters to the program. Library work is to be done on the semester basis and will involve the preparation of a paper dealing with a legitimate problem in the field. All students doing research will be under the direction of individual staff members. Those who wish to pursue this work should seek permission from the sponsoring faculty member no later than December 1 if the work is to be initiated in the Spring Term or no later than May 1 if the work is to be initiated in the Fall Term.

Non-majors—All students who wish to participate in departmental courses are welcome to enroll in any of these courses as long as they satisfy the listed prerequisites.

Courses at Other Institutions—Students who wish major credit for course work at other institutions should submit to the Department Chair the name of the institution and the number, title and catalogue description of the course. This information must be submitted in writing before the work is initiated and formal permission must be granted before the course can be credited toward the major at Trinity.  Some students may wish to engage in serious biological study outside the College. Some examples of suitable programs in which Trinity students participate regularly are listed below. 

 Open Semester—Students who choose the open semester and wish major credit for it must present both oral and written proposals to the Department Chair before the work is begun. If approved by the departmental staff, the student must submit clear proof that the approved goals were accomplished. Credit will be given or withheld according to the proofs of achievement.

 Honors in Biology—Students seeking honors must apply for the honors program in Biology. This application must be in written form and should be submitted to the Chair of Biology normally before the sixth week of classes of a student’s sixth semester. The faculty of Biology will act upon each application. Students seeking honors must have completed five biology courses that count towards the major by the end of their fifth semester and their grade point average in these courses must be at least B+ (3.3). In addition, they must demonstrate in their work a scholarly intent. Students not qualifying for the honors program after five semesters may be invited by the faculty to enter the program at a later time.

After acceptance into the honors program, students must maintain a GPA of B+ in their biology courses. In addition, they must perform research in biology (Biology 425 or Biology 419) for two semesters, including participation in Biology 403 and 404. The honors program for a student culminates in an Honors Thesis (Biology 497) and a public presentation. Upon completion of these requirements, the faculty of Biology will vote to award honors to those candidates who are deemed qualified. Under exceptional circumstances, certain research students not enrolled in the honors program, may, by producing particularly distinguished work, be considered for honors by the faculty of Biology.