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Major Requirements

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, or IB higher level 5, 6 or 7 test score. IB students must confirm their IB credit with the Dean of Studies office

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; Earth Science 151 or 161; Psychology 200; Neuroscience and Behavior 201; Environmental Studies 124; 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 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 218 Cellular Structure and Function

Biology 238 Principles of Genetics

Biology 244 Genomics

Biology 272 Biochemistry

Developmental Biology and Physiology

Biology 202 Plant Physiology and Development

Biology 228 Animal Physiology

Biology 232 Developmental Biology

Biology 260 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: Any of the faculty members of the Biology Department can serve as Major Advisors. Students who have a preference for a particular faculty adviser may ask that individual whether s/he would be willing to serve as adviser. Students who have no preference should make an appointment to see the Chair of the Department to be assigned an adviser.

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 (see above). All correlate sequences require Biology 105 or AP Biology with a score of 4 or 5 on the AP exam or IB higher level with a score of 5, 6 or 7 on the IB exam, and 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, 218, 228, 232, 238, 244, 272; plus one of the following; Biology 316, 323, 324, 325,370, 386, 388

Animal Physiology (6 units): Biology 228, plus three of the following courses and at least one at the 300-level: Biology 226, 232, 238, 260, 316, 370.

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