Programs
The programs of the Department of Biology are designed to introduce students to unifying concepts and broad issues in biology, and to provide the opportunity for in-depth inquiry into topics of particular interest through course work and independent study. Introductory and intermediate-level courses examine the structures and functions of living systems at all levels of organization from molecules, cells and organisms to populations. Advanced courses encourage the student to gain proficiency in the critical reading of research literature, leading to the development, defense and presentation of an independent project. In addition, there are opportunities for other types of independent projects with particular faculty.
The Major in Biology
Required Courses- Two semesters of introductory biology:
- BIOL 101 and 102, or
- BIOL 103 and either BIOL 101 and 102, with consent of the department
- Any six (6) courses from the following list, of which at least three (3) must be laboratory courses:
- BIOL201 Genetics
- BIOL202 Neurobiology and Behavior
- BIOL209 Environmental Toxicology (not currently offered)
- BIOL210 Biology and Public Policy
- BIOL215 Experimental Design and Statistics (not offered 2007-2008)
- BIOL220 Ecology (lab)
- BIOL223 Story of Evolution and Evolution of Stories (not offered 2007-2008)
- BIOL225 Biology of Plants (lab)
- BIOL233 Psychobiology of Sex Differences (not currently offered)
- BIOL236 Evolution
- BIOL250 Computational Models in the Sciences (lab)
- BIOL271 Developmental Biology (lab)
- BIOL301 Organismal Biology: Vertebrate Structure (lab) (not offered 2007-2008)
- BIOL303 Animal Physiology (lab)
- BIOL304 Cell and Molecular Neurobiology (lab) (not offered 2007-2008)
- BIOL309 Biological Oceanography (lab)
- BIOL313 Integrative Organismal Biology I (not offered 2007-2008; see BIOL303)
- BIOL314 Integrative Organismal Biology II (lab) (not offered 2007-2008; see BIOL303)
- BIOL321 Neuroethology (not offered 2007-2008)
- BIOL326 From Channels to Behavior (lab) (not offered 2007-2008)
- BIOL328 Analysis of Geospatial Data Using GIS (lab)
- BIOL336 Evolutionary Biology: Advanced Topics (not offered 2007-2008)
- BIOL340 Cell Biology (lab)
- BIOL341 Introduction to Biochemistry (lab) (not offered 2007-2008; see BIOL375/376)
- BIOL361 Emergence
- BIOL364 Developmental Neurobiology (not offered 2007-2008)
- BIOL372 Molecular Biology (lab) (not offered 2007-2008; see BIOL375/376)
- BIOL375 Integrated Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I (lab)
- BIOL376 Integrated Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II (lab)
- One (1) course from the following list:
- BIOL390 Senior Seminar in Ecology
- BIOL391 Senior Seminar in Biochemistry
- BIOL392 Senior Seminar in Physiology (not offered 2007-2008)
- BIOL393 Senior Seminar in Molecular Genetics (not offered 2007-2008)
- BIOL394 Senior Seminar in Evolutionary Developmental Biology
- BIOL395 Senior Seminar in Cell Biology (not offered 2007-2008)
- BIOL398 Senior Seminar in Science in Society
- Additional courses required outside the Department:
- Two semester courses in general chemistry
- Three additional semester courses in physics, chemistry, geology, mathematics, computer science, psychology or statistics. Selection of the three science courses needs to be done in consultation with the student's major adviser and be approved by the department.
Two semesters of BIOL403, Supervised Laboratory Research may be substituted for one 200- or 300-level lab course.
Students may be exempted from one or both semesters of introductory biology by taking and passing the departmental placement exam. Courses in other departments may be substituted for major requirements with the department's permission.
Honors
Honors can be achieved by maintaining a course average of 3.7 in the major and required allied subjects, and attendance at Biology Department seminars. Final selection for honors is made by the biology faculty from the list of eligible students.
Summer Research Opportunities
Summer Science Research Fellowships are available for Bryn Mawr and Haverford students to perform 10 weeks of research with faculty in the summer. The summer science program in sponsored by the College. Interested students should seek out an appropriate faculty supervisor in the spring prior to beginning the project.
Science Horizons Internships for research off-campus and for research in science education are available from the College through a grant from Howard Hughes Medical Institute .
Applications for these research opportunities are online. The deadline for submitting your application is March 1.
The Minor in Biology
A minor in biology consists of six semester courses in biology. Courses in other departments may be substituted for minor requirements with the department's permission.
