Consonant with the experiential-learning focus of the
K-Plan and motivated by the biology department
mission, our emphasis on an empirical approach to biology
creates an environment in which students develop a strong
foundation in biology. We encourage our students to ask
and seek answers to probing questions, interpret primary
literature, design and perform experiments, and make original
observations of biological phenomena. The developmental
progression from introductory core courses through upper-level
electives prepares students well for the challenges of
carrying out their Senior Individualized
Projects, presenting results of those projects at
our annual Diebold Symposium,
and then continuing their education or seeking employment
after graduation.
Major
in Biology [also see Schedule
for Majors]
- Number of Units
- A minimum of nine biology units (five required and four
electives) and four cognates (see below), exclusive of
lab credit, all at C- or better are required to complete
a major in biology. At least three of the biology electives
must be from courses at the 300 level or above.
-
- Students may not count BIOL 101, 102, 105, 107, or
115 toward units required for the major.
-
- Students may count only one Topics in Biology (BIOL
480 series) toward units required for the major.
-
- Biology majors are encouraged to complete their Senior
Individualized Project in biology, and may count one unit
of credit from a biology SIP toward the units required
for the major.
-
- The biology department will accept for credit in the
major: a maximum of one unit from sources outside the
department (e.g. one AP credit if score on the Biology
AP exam is 4 or 5, one credit from dual enrollment, or
one credit from Study Abroad).
- Required Courses
- BIOL 112 Evolution and Genetics with
Lab
BIOL 124 Physiology and Ecology with
Lab
BIOL 220 Organism Diversity with Lab
BIOL 246 Cell and Molecular Biology
with Lab*
BIOL 490 Functioning as a Biologist
- Four Cognates
- CHEM 110 (Introductory Chemistry I with Lab)
CHEM 120 (Introductory Chemistry II with Lab)
CHEM 210 (Organic Chemistry I with Lab)
one of the following courses: CHEM 224 (Organic Chemistry
IIA with Lab), CHEM 220 (Organic Chemistry II with Lab)
or MATH 261 (Statistics for the Life Sciences).
-
- * Because BIOL 246 requires Organic Chemistry I as a
prerequisite, CHEM 110, CHEM 120, and CHEM 210 (Organic
Chemistry I) must be taken before enrolling in Cell Biology.
- Comprehensive Examinations
- Biology majors must take and pass a written and an oral
comprehensive examination. Details
can be found in the Biology
Handbook for Juniors and Seniors.
Students interested in pursuing graduate or professional
programs in biology are encouraged to develop some background
in mathematics, physics, and computer science. They should
consult with members of the department as early as possible.
In addition, the department strongly urges those students
who are interested in pursuing graduate study in biology
or in teaching biology at the secondary school level to
take BIOL 370 Advanced Genetics with Lab as part of their
major’s program. Such students are also encouraged
to take a wide variety of advanced electives in biology,
ranging from the cellular or molecular level through the
organismal level to the population or ecosystem level.
Students who plan careers in health-related fields should
consult with a member of the Health
Sciences Advisory Committee early in their academic
planning to learn which courses are most appropriate for
selected professional programs.
| A typical course sequence for
a biology major at Kalamazoo College is shown below.
Courses in {bracketed italics} are pre-med
options; courses in bold are Biology
Department Courses. To provide students flexibility
and to accommodate large enrollments, Evolution &
Genetics is offered in fall and winter quarters, Physiology
& Ecology is offered in winter and spring quarters.
(Chemistry I and II are also offered fall/winter and
winter/spring, respectively). |
| |
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
| FIRST YEAR |
First Year Seminar
Evolution & Genetics
Chem I |
(Language?)
Physiology & Ecology
Chem II (Evol & Gen) |
(Language?)
{Calculus I or II}
(Physiol
& Ecol) |
| SOPHOMORE |
Organism Diversity
Organic Chem I
(Language?) |
Organic Chem II/IIA**
{Physics I}
(Language?) |
Cellular and Molecular Biology
{Physics II}
(Language?) |
| JUNIOR |
Study Abroad |
Study Abroad |
Biology Elective
Statistics for the Life Sciences**
|
| SENIOR |
SIP thesis
Biology Elective |
Biology Elective |
Biology Elective
Biology 490 |
|
** These courses are choices available to fulfill
the fourth cognate for the Biology major and should
be chosen based on a student's preferences and postgraduate
plans. |
-
-
Minor
in Biology
- Number of Units
- Six units are required. All must be at C- or better.
- Required Courses
- BIOL 112 Evolution and Genetics
with Lab
BIOL 124 Physiology and Ecology with Lab
-
- Electives
- Four additional biology courses,
only two of which may include BIOL 101, 102, 105, 107
and 115.
Concentration
in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology [for more information
visit the Program
Information page]
A major focus of modern scientific inquiry is uncovering
the physical and chemical mechanisms underlying biological
systems. Therefore, an interdisciplinary concentration in
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is offered for students
interested in advanced study at the interface between biology
and chemistry. Courses include a selection from the physical
and biological sciences; most are laboratory based and make
use of sophisticated, cutting-edge instrumentation and techniques.
Students interested in graduate studies of molecular level
phenomena are especially encouraged to consider this plan
of study.
- Number of Units
- 13 units are required. All must be at C- or better.
- Required Courses
- Please consult the Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology Requirements page
Concentration
in Biological Physics [for more information visit
the Program
Information page]
The biological and medical sciences are changing rapidly.
Many new discoveries now require an understanding of biological
systems from a physical point of view. In particular, physics,
mathematics, and computer science are becoming more essential
now than ever before. Contemporary research areas in biological
physics include neuroscience, protein conformational dynamics
and folding, DNA conformational dynamics, single molecule
dynamics such as molecular motors, cell mechanics, information
transfer in biological systems, membrane biophysics, multi-cellular
phenomena, biological networks, effects of radiation on
biological systems, and instrumentation development. The
biological physics concentration is designed to supplement
the background usually provided in a standard biology, chemistry,
or physics major.
- Number of Units
- 12 units are required.
- Required Courses
- Please consult the Biological
Physics Requirements page
Concentration
in Environmental Studies [for more information visit
the Program
Information page]
The concentration in environmental studies
is based upon the recognition that environmental and resource
problems are not just biological, geological, economic,
or political. Therefore, the concentration is structured
as an interdisciplinary study by selecting appropriate courses
from the natural and social sciences, as well as the humanities,
in order to pool knowledge from across traditional disciplinary
lines. This information is essential for an interdisciplinary
assessment, analysis and evaluation of environmental problems.
The concentration in environmental studies is open to students
regardless of their majors and prepares students for graduate
work and/or careers in a variety of areas including resource
economics and management, city and regional planning, natural
resource conservation, aquatic or terrestrial environments,
environmental law, environmental education, environmental
journalism, public administration, agribusiness, and food
and population.
For general advice and effective planning of their schedules,
all students desiring this concentration are encouraged
to see one of the directors as early as possible, preferably
no later than the sophomore year.
- Number of Units
- Six units are required.
-
- Required Courses
- Please consult the Environmental
Studies Requirements page
- The concentration in environmental studies is open to
students regardless of their majors and prepares students
for graduate work and/or careers in a variety of areas
including resource economics and management, city and
regional planning, natural resource conservation, aquatic
or terrestrial environments, environmental law, environmental
education, environmental journalism, public administration,
agribusiness, and food and population. For general advice
and effective planning of their schedules, all students
desiring this concentration are encouraged to see one
of the directors as early as possible, preferably no later
than the sophomore year.
-
- Students interested in environmental studies are urged
to keep this interest in mind when selecting a site for
study abroad. If approved ahead of time by the co-directors,
up to one course from study abroad can count toward the
completion of the concentration. Moreover, pursuing these
interests abroad emphasizes the important international
dimensions of many environmental issues while often permitting
students to gain familiarity with some problems (and their
possible solutions) in other countries. Courses from study
abroad sites in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Kenya, and Thailand
are particularly suitable.
Biology
courses for Nonmajors [course
descriptions]
All biology courses at the 100 level are open to nonmajors
without prerequisite and may be used to fulfill a natural
science/mathematics Area of Study requirement. BIOL 101,
102, 105, 107, and 115 are intended for nonmajors and do
not count toward a biology major. Either BIOL 115 or 124
is required for the concentration in environmental studies.
Courses we offer for nonmajors have goals consistent with
those for the biology curriculum focused on majors. To attain
those goals, general education (Area of Study) courses,
directed primarily at students not majoring in biology should
help students:
- Appreciate, understand, and engage in the process of
doing science.
- Evaluate validity of scientific communications. For
example, our students should be able to read, understand,
and evaluate any New York Times article, especially those
in the Tuesday Science Times.
- Be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty.
- Learn that science is a fascinating human endeavor,
applicable to everyday life.
|
