Biology Major - Ecology & Evolution Specialization

Department Chair: Randall Morrison, Ph.D.

Description

The Biology Department offers a major that provides the essential background for students who wish to pursue graduate or professional studies in health care and those who wish to pursue careers in biological research. From its founding, the College and the Biology Department have prepared students to enter medical school and PhD programs in the life sciences.

Many Biology students find employment and enjoy successful careers with a bachelor’s degree. They enter a variety of fields such as genetics, immunology, marine science, cancer research, and environmental analysis. In addition, many students successfully enroll in postgraduate programs at the master’s or doctoral level immediately following graduation from McDaniel. Our undergraduate course offerings cover the basic requirements for most graduate programs. Students should be aware that many doctoral programs require calculus (MAT 1117), two semesters of organic chemistry (CHE 2217, 2218), and two semesters of physics (PHY 1114, 1115) in addition to the courses required by the major. Specific requirements should be discussed with the student’s faculty advisor, and advisors of specific professional tracks (such as premed - Dr. Susan Parrish).

Required (24 credits):

Specialization (20 credits):

BIO 2207 - Evolution (required)
BIO 3317 - Ecology * # (required)
THREE courses, of which at least one must be 3000 level BIO, from:
BIO 2201 - Vertebrate Diversity *
BIO 2202 - Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates *
BIO 2204 - Botany *
BIO 2205 - Invertebrate Zoology *
BIO 2206 - Epidemiology
BIO 2234 - Marine Biology *
BIO 2T02 - Avian Biology
BIO 3316 - Animal Physiology * #
BIO 3T01 - Symbiosis * #
If desired, ONE of the three courses may be substituted by one of the following (but the 3000 level course requirement cannot be fulfilled by any of the following):
CHE 3321 - Biochemistry I
ENV 3106 - Conservation Biology
ENV 3114 - Wetland Ecology

ONE Lab Course from Biology Group A (4 credits):

Lab Requirement:

Must complete four (4) BIO lab courses. Lab courses are denoted with the * symbol.

Departmental Writing:

The Department of Biology extends writing throughout the major. Students who major in Biology are required to take two writing-intensive courses, plus BIO 4493: Senior Colloquium. Writing-intensive courses are noted with the # symbol.

Total Program Hours: 48

Requirements for Departmental Honors

Honors in Biology will be awarded to graduating seniors who have 1) completed an original research-based capstone project, 2) earned at least a 3.50 grade point average in all courses taken in the major, and 3) been recommended by the Department. Departmental recommendation partly relies on evaluation of the student’s oral presentation based on their research capstone project. Students may pick up guidelines in the Department Office.