| The program we offer for majors
is general enough to provide a basis for continuing
studies and intellectual growth. Students may wish
to elect courses that provide competence in a variety
of areas. On the other hand, a concentration in
one or two areas is invaluable for more intensive
study and original work and provides the only means
for achieving the satisfaction that comes from thorough
scholarship.
Requirements for the Major: a minimum
of 32 credits in biological sciences
Required Courses in Biological Sciences:
- Bio 145 or 160 (Various forms of Introductory Biology I)
- Bio 200, Introductory Biology II (which must
be taken in this sequence)
- Bio 210, Genetics and Molecular Biology (prereq.
Biology 150, 200, Chemistry 101; Chemistry
101 or equivalent may be taken concurrently with Bio 210).
- Bio 223, Ecology (prereq: Bio 150 or ES 100, one
semester of college or high school calculus or statistics)
-- OR
Bio 226 Evolution (prereq: Biology
210 or 223)
- Bio 220, Cell Biology (prereq. Biology 150,
200, Chemistry 201 or 202)
- Three additional courses (12 credits) at the
300 level in biology. At least two of these
(8 credits) must be taken at Mount Holyoke,
and at least two of them must have labs.
- Biology 295 or 395 may not count toward the
minimum 32 credits in the major.
Required courses outside of Biological Sciences:
- Chemistry 101 and 201, General Chemistry
I and II
- Calculus or Statistics
Recommended courses outside of Biological Sciences:
- Chemistry 202 and 302, Organic Chemistry
I and II
- Physics
- Computer Science
- Additional Math and Statistics
Requirements for the Minor: a minimum
of 16 credits above Introductory Biology at the
200 and/or 300 level.
Advanced Placement: Students receiving a 700 or higher on the biology achievement test or a 4 or 5 AP score may place out of one of the semesters of the introductory sequence. The student should consult with the department chair to determine which course (145fs/150f/160f or 200s) would be more useful to take. Students awarded International Baccalaureate or A levels might place directly into Bio. 210f (Genetics and MOlecular Biology) after consultation with the department chair. An AP score of 4 or 5 provides college credit, which may count as transfer credit toward the biology major.
Teacher Licensure
Students interested in pursuing licensure in
middle and secondary schools can combine the major
with a minor in education. For specific requirements,
refer to "Teacher Licensure" in the
MHC catalogue (See Teacher Licensure Program)
and consult Ms. Lawrence in the psychology and
education department. Licensure also requires
a passing score on the literacy and specific subject
area sections of the Massachusetts Educators Certification
Test. In the case of biology, this includes cells
and cell theory, characteristics of organisms,
human biology, principles of heredity and the
evolution of life, and matter and energy in ecosystems.
Copies of the test objectives are available in
the offices of the biology department and the
psychology and education department.
Additional Information
Requirements and Limitation for Transfer and Off-Campus Courses:
-At least 20 credits in biology (8 of these at the 300-level) must be taken at MHC. Five-College courses and those taken at other institutions are not included in these 20 credits. Again, two of the three 300-level courses must have labs. Biology 295 and 395 may not count towards these 20 credits.
-Off-Campus courses and transfer credits must be approved by the department chair.
-For 100- or 200-level credit, a course must include laboratory experience. A 100-level course without a laboratory can receive college credit, but not credit toward the minimum biology major requirements.
-For 300-level credit, a course must have at least two other courses listed as prerequisites.
Independent Work (395)
-Does not count toward the minimum major
-Prerequisites:
a minumum of 16 credits within the department, 4 of which are at the 300-level
a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all biology courses by the end of the junior year
sufficient background in the area of proposed research as well as approval and availability of faculty research sponsorship
-Procedures:
consult with possible faculty research sponsors about projects at least 2 weeks before spring advising period
obtain and submit your application to the Biology Office one week before advising period (see deadline in the application material); if the prerequisites have not been met by spring advising period, a student may apply or reapply during the first week of classes in the fall of her senior year
the department committee on independent work will approve or reject your request, assign a faculty research sponsor, inform your department advisor and the department chair prior to advising period
-Honors
the student must satisfy college requirements, including 8 credits of 395 work
the student, in consultation with her faculty research sponsor, may submit her independent work to the department for consideration as honors work
|
