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Nov 21, 2024
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Biology Major
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 Return to: Majors, Minors & Distinctions A - Z
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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 Courses (24 credits):
Six additional courses (24 credits):
Four of the six courses must be BIO lab courses. Lab courses are denoted with the * symbol. Of the six courses selected, two BIO courses must be at the 3000 level.
Group A: Molecules and Cells
Choose two courses
Group B: Organisms and Interactions
Choose two courses
Electives from Group A, Group B, or Alternative List
Choose two courses from among Group A, Group B, or the alternative course list. Only one course may be chosen from the alternative course list at most.
Alternative Lab courses
BIO 1172 and BIO 2211 may be included as part of the four required lab count BUT they do not count towards the six courses from Group A, Group B, or alternative lists.
Departmental Writing Requirement
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.
Strongly Recommended Courses:
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.
Secondary Teacher Certification
Please see Biology teacher certification requirements under Programs: Education minor (secondary) for Biology major.
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Return to: Majors, Minors & Distinctions A - Z
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