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Majors & Advising

  • Major's Handbook
  • Faculty Advisers
  • Faculty Mentors
  • Majors Committee
  • Pre-Professional Advising
  • Course Tracks
  • Major Requirements

      • Majors Handbook

      The department has prepared a handbook that will be helpful in guiding you in selecting and completing your biology major. We encourage you to consult the handbook whenever you have a question. The chair of the department and your adviser will be happy to discuss any of your questions as well. Also see some of the possible course tracks below.

      • Major's Handbook
      • Lab Safety Rules

        • Faculty Advisers

        The department assigns three faculty members to take on declaring sophomore students. Students select their adviser as a first step in beginning to declare a biology major. These faculty advisers will be your adviser for the rest of your time at Vassar College. They will come to know you well and will be a valuable resource for providing advice about graduate school and in providing letters of recommendation. All members of the faculty are happy to advise you about biology courses and careers.

        Faculty Mentors

        For students, especially incoming freshmen, who do not have a pre-major adviser in the department, the faculty are willing to advise you about the selection of biology courses and related subjects to take. It is important to begin taking biology and chemistry early in your career at Vassar College if you which to major in one of the biological sciences, including a pre-medical track. Please contact the chair of the department to request a mentor or to discuss your selection of biology courses.

        Biology Majors Committee

        Cochairs

        The Biology Majors Committee serves the majors of the biology department through organizing seminars, organizing informational meetings with faculty about research and post-graduate opportunities, by promoting student interactions within the major, and through advising the department on student ideas for new courses. The majors committee consists of the cochairs and from four to six sophmores, juniors, and seniors who are involved in planning events. The committee always welcomes input and participation by all students in planning events for the year. Please contact the cochairs with any ideas or suggestions.

        Come to the MajorÕs weekly Teas Š Wednesdays at 3:00 PM in the Faculty Lounge on the third floor atrium of Olmsted. Your friends and favorite faculty will be there.

        Pre-Professional Advising

        Students majoring in Biology are frequently interested in preparation for pre-medical, pre-dental, or pre-veterinary school. The Biology Department at Vassar College offers a number of courses that provide ideal preparation for pre-professional examinations and for a career in medicine, dentistry, public health, or in veterinary health.

        We suggest a few courses that are offered in Biology that are useful to take if you wish to pursue a pre-medical program. These courses can be part of a biology major and will still provide enough flexibility to take courses in other areas of biology and in the college as a whole. Students pursuing pre-professional studies as Biology majors are also able to study abroad and to double major. Some students select study abroad programs where they gain experience in third world public health issues and in veterinary science or animal science for example. A number of our students pursue field work courses (BIOL 290's) during the semester, where they work in hospitals, or in doctors or veterinarian offices to gain valuable experience.

        Any member of the biology faculty will be happy to discuss course selections with you. Additionally, one or more members of the biology faculty usually serve as pre-medical advisers and you may wish to take to opportunity to discuss your interests with them.

        Courses for Preparation for Pre-Professional Examinations

        You should consult the Office for Pre-Professional Advising and Fellowships for information on the minimum requirements for each of these fields.

        Introductory courses
        • Biology 105 - Introduction to Biological Processes
        • Biology 106 - Introduction to Biological Investigation
        Intermediate courses
        • Biology 205 - Microbiology
        • Biology 226 - Animal Structure and Diversity
        • Biology 228 - Animal Physiology
        • Biology 238 - Genetics
        • Biology 272 - Cellular Biochemistry
        • Biology 280 - Cellular Structure and Function
        • Biology 281 - Comparative and Functional Vertebrate Anatomy
        Advanced courses
        • Biology 316 - Neurobiology
        • Biology 323 - Cell Biology
        • Biology 324 - Molecular Biology
        • Biology 350 - Evolutionary Biology
        • Biology 370 -Immunology

        Related Websites

        Biology Tracks

        There are many ways to devise a major in the Biology department and some students may wish to consult the potential concentrations listed below. They may be useful in planning to take the courses that will prepare you for your post-graduate careers and graduate or medical school. In developing a major you will discuss various options with your adviser, who may make other suggestions based on your interests. No student has to follow any of these tracks; they are simply possibilities.

        Biochemistry

        • Biol 226 - Animal Structure and Diversity
        • Biol 228 - Animal Physiology
        • Biol 238 - Principles of Genetics
        • Biol 272 - Biochemistry
        • Biol 280 - Cellular Structure and Function
        • Biol 324 - Molecular Biology
        • Biol 325 - Bioinformatics
        • Biol 350 - Evolutionary Biology

        Ecology/Evolution

        • Biol 208 - Plant Structure and Diversity
        • Biol 226 - Animal Structure and Diversity
        • Biol 228 - Animal Physiology
        • Biol 238 - Principles of Genetics
        • Biol 241 - Ecology
        • Biol 350 - Evolutionary Biology
        • Biol 354 - Plant-Animal Interactions
        • Biol 356 - Aquatic Ecology

        Cell Biology and Development

        • Biol 226 - Animal Structure and Diversity
        • Biol 232 - Developmental Biology
        • Biol 238 - Principles of Genetics
        • Biol 280 - Cellular Structure and Function
        • Biol 316 - Neurobiology
        • Biol 323 - Advanced Topics in Cell Biology
        • Biol 324 - Molecular Biology

        Molecular Biology and Genetics

        • Biol 205 - Microbiology
        • Biol 226 - Animal Structure and Diversity
        • Biol 238 - Principles of Genetics
        • Biol 280 - Cellular Structure and Function
        • Biol 324 - Molecular Biology
        • Biol 325 - Bioinformatics

        Plant Biology

        • Biol 202 - Plant Physiology
        • Biol 208 - Plant Structure and Diversity
        • Biol 238 - Principles of Genetics
        • Biol 241 - Ecology
        • Biol 354 - Plant-Animal Interactions
        • Biol 356 - Aquatic Ecology

        Physiology and Biomechanics

        • Biol 202 - Plant Physiology
        • Biol 226 - Animal Structure and Diversity
        • Biol 228 - Animal Physiology
        • Biol 280 - Cellular Structure and Function
        • Biol 281 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
        • Biol 316 - Neurobiology
        • Biol 370 - Immunology
        • Biol 382 - Aquatic Vertebrates

        Neurobiology & Behavior

        • Biol 280 - Cellular Structure and Function
        • Biol 272 - Biochemistry
        • Biol 238 - Principles of Genetics
        • Biol 226 - Animal Structure and Diversity
        • Biol 316 - Neurobiology
        • Biol 340 - Experimental Animal Behavior

        Major Requirements

        Professors: Robert S. Fritz (Chair), John H. Long, Jr., Mark A. Schlessmana, Kathleen M. Susmanab, Robert B. Suter (and Associate Dean of the Faculty); Associate Professors: Richard B. Hemmes, David K. Jemiolo, Nancy Pokrywka, A. Marshall Pregnall, Margaret L. Ronsheim (and Director of Environmental Studies), J. William Straus; Assistant Professors: Erica J. Crespib, Cynthia K. Damer, David Esteban; Visiting Assistant Professor: Jason Jones; Lecturer and Coordinator of Laboratory Instruction: Laura Arwood.

        Requirements for Concentration: 13 or 14 units

        Introductory-Level: Biology 106 and either Biology 105 or AP Biology with 4 or 5 AP test score.

        Intermediate-Level: 4 units of graded work with at least one course from each subject area listed below, not including Biology 255

        Advanced-Level: 3 units of graded work.

        Chemistry: Either Chemistry 108 and 109 or Chemistry 125 at the introductory level, and Chemistry 244 at the intermediate level.

        Additional courses: 2 units to be chosen from among Chemistry 245 or 255; Physics 113, 114; Mathematics 101, 102, 121, 122, 125, or 141; Geology 151 or 161; Psychology 200; Neuroscience and Behavior 201; Environmental Science 224; and other intermediate or advanced science courses subject to departmental approval. One of the two units may also be an additional graded 200-level or 300-level Biology course or ungraded independent research, Biology 298 or 399.

        Intermediate-Level Subject Areas and Courses:

        Ecology, Evolution and Diversity

        Biology 206 Environmental Biology

        Biology 208 Plant Structure and Diversity

        Biology 226 Animal Structure and Diversity

        Biology 241 Ecology

        Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology

        Biology 205 Introduction to Microbiology

        Biology 238 Principles of Genetics

        Biology 272 Biochemistry

        Biology 280 Cellular Structure and Function

        Biology 282 Genomics

        Developmental Biology and Physiology

        Biology 202 Plant Physiology and Development

        Biology 228 Animal Physiology

        Biology 232 Developmental Biology

        Biology 281 Comparative and Functional Vertebrate Anatomy

        Senior Year Requirements: 2 units of graded 300-level biology taken at Vassar College.

        Independent Research: The biology department encourages students to engage in independent research with faculty mentors, and offers ungraded courses Biology 178, 298, and 399. The department also offers Biology 303, a graded research experience for senior majors. Students should consult the chair or individual faculty members for guidance in initiating independent research.

        Field Work: The department offers field work in biology. Students should consult the field work office and a biology faculty adviser for details.

        Teaching Certification: Students who wish to obtain secondary school teaching certification in biology should consult both the biology and education departments for appropriate course requirements.

        Early Advising: Those students considering a concentration in biology, particularly those who have already identified an interest in a subdiscipline of biology, should consult a departmental adviser early in their freshman year to discuss appropriate course sequences. After declaration of the major, no NRO work is permissible in the major.

        Postgraduate Work: Students considering graduate school or other professional schools should be aware that such schools usually require courses beyond the minimum biology major requirements. In general, students should have at least a full year of organic chemistry, a year of physics, and a year of calculus. Students are urged to begin their chemistry and other correlated sciences coursework as soon as possible, since this will assist them in successful completion of the biology major. Students should consult with the chair of biology or the pre-medical adviser at their earliest opportunity.

        Further Information: For additional information on research opportunities, honors requirements, etc., please see the biology department.

        Advisers: For the class of 2008 Ms. Darner, Ms. Ronsheim, Ms. Susman; for the class of 2009 Mr. Fritz, Mr. Hemmes, Mr. Straus; for the class of 2010 Ms. Crespi, Ms. Pokrywka, and Mr. Pregnall.

        Correlate Sequences in Biology:

        The Department of Biology offers four correlate sequences, each with a different emphasis. Students interested in undertaking a correlate in biology should consult with one of the biology advisers assigned to each class (see above). All correlate sequences require Biology 105 or AP Biology with a score of 4 or 5 on the AP exam, Biology 106, and the requirements for each subject area listed below:

        Cellular Biology/Molecular Biology (6 or 7 units): Chemistry 108/109 or Chemistry 125, any two of the following: Biology 202, 205, 228, 232, 238, 272, 280, 282; plus one of the following; Biology 316, 323, 324, 325,370, 384, 386.

        Animal Physiology (6 units): Biology 228, plus three of the following , at least one at the 300-level: Biology 226, 232, 238, 281, 316, 370.

        Ecology/Evolution (6 units): Biology 241, 350 and one of the following; Biology 202, 205, 238, plus one of the following; Biology 206, 208, 226, 352, 354, 356, 384.

        Behavior/Neurobiology (6 units): Two of the following: Biology 226, 228, 241; one of the following: Biology 232, 238; and one of the following: Biology 316, 340.

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