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Information for Majors
Biology Handbook for Juniors and Seniors (2008-09) [PDF 325 kB]
Schedule for Majors
BIOL 490: Functioning as a Biologist
Comprehensive Examinations
Senior Individualized Project
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Lillian Anderson Arboretum
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Kalamazoo College: Department of Biology
 

Our mission

The mission of our department and curriculum is to educate students in the field of biology and within the context of a Kalamazoo College liberal arts education. Through our courses, research collaborations, and advising we help each of our students become an intrinsically motivated, self-directed learner who enjoys a biologist’s keen awareness of the natural world. Specifically, we foster development of the following attributes in our biology majors: 1) knowledge of the diversity of living organisms and levels – from molecules to ecosystems – at which those organisms can be studied; 2) understanding of how organisms are affected by their evolutionary and developmental trajectories and how these are influenced by environmental contingency; 3) ability to discover new biological knowledge and then communicate it effectively to others; and 4) curiosity about and empathy toward our shared environment.

Year of Darwin Poster Competition

There is grandeur in this view of life…… from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being evolved. ~Charles Darwin

2009 marks the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species.

To honor his extraordinary achievements and their unparalleled impact on the field of biology, the Department of Biology is holding a poster competition to celebrate these important anniversaries. The winning posters will be selected for display in the Dow Science building starting January 2009. Each winner will receive $100 in prize money.

The posters are to be created using PowerPoint. Suggested final display dimensions are in the range (width x height) 24” x 32” to 36” x 48”, using portrait or landscape layout. Submissions should be printed in color on 8.5” x 11” paper and submitted in hard copy, along with a brief description of what the poster is intended to convey to the viewing audience. The deadline for submissions is Friday of 9th week (Fall 2008), by 5pm, to Andra Elksnis, Biology Office, Room 300, Dow Science building.

Please direct your questions to Vivien Pybus, Department of Biology: vpybus@kzoo.edu

 


Department News & Events

  • Honors and promotion for Paul Sotherland
  • Vivien Pybus awarded tenure
  • Just For Grins: alumni return to celebrate Sotherland's 20th
  • Collaborative NSF grant will probe "mystery of mysteries"
Student Spotlight
  • 2007 Winifred Peakes Jones Prize recipients
  • K'07 Senior Awards in Biology
  • Armstrong presents poster at Sigma Xi Annual Meeting
Alumni News
  • Just For Grins: alumni return to celebrate Sotherland's 20th
  • Kirsten Wier (K '99) joins communications department of Sea Grant at UNH
  • David Campbell (K '71) publishes book on Amazonia diversity and culture
  • Theodora Ross (K '86) receives research award
  • Find out what your classmates are up to - and send us your news ...

 


About Our Department Information for Biology Majors
 
About Our Program