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Students

Curricular Objectives

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Biology is the study of life and living systems at levels of organization ranging from cellular and subcellular to organismal and community/ecosystems. The objective of the biology major is to train students to think critically about biology. Emphasis is placed on experimental approaches to understand biology and the importance of the scientific process to validate this understanding.

At the introductory level our curriculum is designed to give students a solid background in fundamental concepts in biology. To this end students study the diversity of life generated by genetic, ecological, and evolutionary processes and they examine the cell as a fundamental unit of life. Emphasis is placed on experimental biology through field work and laboratory exercises, data analysis using statistical approaches, and library research skills.

With this common background our students are free to choose from a variety of courses at the intermediate level, which specialize in subdisciplines of biology such as biochemistry, genetics, and plant physiology. Students continue to develop skills in experimental biology while focusing on specialized areas to increase their knowledge base. Requirements at the intermediate-level are structured to expose students to a range of subdisciplines and experimental approaches in biology.

At the advanced level, students must demonstrate integrative ability and in-depth knowledge of biology. They are required to analyze primary literature, critique experimental approaches, and evaluate data. Senior research may be one of their selections, which involves critical analysis through observation or experimentation of a research problem in biology. Students who select senior research are required to write a paper and present their findings to the department orally.

Because of the breadth of biology, no single exit assessment would adequately measure student achievement of objectives of our curriculum. We do require our seniors to take two advanced-level courses in their senior year in which we look for and assess integrative ability and even require outstanding integrative ability as one criterion for departmental honors. Departmental honors also requires a solid performance in senior research.

The biology faculty are active in teaching at all levels of our curriculum. Thus, in intermediate and advanced courses we see the fruits of our labor at the introductory level. After each semester we reevaluate our introductory courses to assess that they are achieving our goals. Changes are made in subsequent semesters. In the intermediate and advanced courses, changes to courses are regularly made to keep theory and empirical information current, and new developments in fields are incorporated into syllabi.

View department courses

Honors Criteria

  • A superior cumulative GPA (approximately 3.6) in all units in Biology and in Chem 108 & 109, or Chem 125; and Chem 244;
  • A good cumulative GPA (approximately 3.3) in other courses in the Natural Sciences division; evidence of outstanding initiative and integrative ability as demonstrated by performance in advanced Biology courses; and,
  • Demonstrated creativity and initiative through independent research conducted while a senior at Vassar College. A written report and an oral presentation are required. Please see your major adviser for more details.

Departmental Prizes

The Department of Biology awards three prizes each year to honor graduating seniors that have demonstrated excellence in biology and to the sophomore biology major showing the greatest potential.

  • The Virginia Swinburne Brownell Prize (established in 1913) is given to the student or students to honor excellent work in biology.
  • The Kate Roberts Prize (established in 1929) is given to the student or students to honor excellence in biology.
  • Harriet Gurney Van Allen Prize (established 1917) is given to the student for earnestness, aptitude, and interest in biology.

Commitment to Laboratory Safety

The Department of Biology is committed to the safety of all its students, staff, and faculty in the teaching and research laboratories. Ongoing improvements in safety features and training are being made each year. We have a laboratory safety program that is required for all faculty, staff, and students working as research assistants, laboratory interns and assistant, or as independent research students.

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