Warren Wilson College Catalog 06-07

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Biology

Biology Department Website

Faculty: Paul Bartels, Amy E. Boyd, Mark Brenner, Robert A. Eckstein, Jeffrey Holmes (Chair), Michael A. Torres, Louise M. Weber.

The Department of Biology awards a Bachelor of Science degree through a broad and rigorous academic study of the living world within the context of a liberal arts education. Courses emphasize the process of gathering scientific information and building knowledge based on critical evaluation of experimental observation. All students majoring in Biology follow a program of study that provides a broad fundamental understanding of all areas of the life sciences as well as chemistry, physics, and mathematics. In addition, all students conduct an independent research project on a topic of their choosing and present the results to the College in the form of the Natural Science Seminar. Concurrent training in education or environmental studies is possible.

Majors in Biology are prepared for employment in a wide variety of disciplines including wildlife biology, forestry and natural resources, laboratory assistance or management, public health, nutrition, animal science, and biotechnology. It is also possible to enter postgraduate professional programs in medicine, physical therapy, veterinary medicine, dentistry, public health, law, forensic science, or forestry. Others do graduate work toward the Ph.D. in areas such as molecular genetics, plant pathology, immunology, infectious diseases, animal science, botany, or zoology.

Major in Biology

Grades: Course requirements for the major are fulfilled only by courses in which the student has earned a grade of C- or better. This includes courses with BIO, CHM, MAT, PHY, and SCI prefixes.

Total Credit Hours: A minimum of 34 credits in biology must be earned, with an additional 22 credits in physics, chemistry, and math.

Requirements:

BIO 116 General Biology
BIO 202 Ecology
BIO 322 Genetics
SCI 390 Research Design
SCI 486-489 Natural Sciences Seminar Research (minimum 2 credits.)
SCI 491 or 492 Natural Sciences Seminar Attendance
SCI 493 Natural Sciences Research Communication

Biology majors and minors may not take BIO courses numbered 110 or below to meet Biology requirements. See Natural Sciences section for requirements for the Natural Science Seminar.

Area Requirements: Students must complete a minimum of 4 credits in each of the following two areas:

  1. Cellular and Subcellular Biology
    BIO 208 Cell Biology
    BIO 345 Developmental Biology
    BIO 347 Microbiology
    BIO 407 Biochemistry

  2. Form and Function
    BIO 219 Plant Morphology and Anatomy
    BIO 235 Vertebrate Zoology
    BIO 241 Invertebrate Zoology
    BIO 341 Plant Taxonomy
    BIO 351 Mammalian Physiology
    BIO 377 Evolutionary Biology
    BIO 435 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

    Other Requirements:
    CHM 116 General Chemistry I
    CHM 117 General Chemistry II
    CHM 225 Organic Chemistry I
    MAT 241 Calculus I
    PHY 251 Physics I

    One of the following botany courses (may also be taken as an area requirement)
    BIO 219 Plant Morphology and Anatomy
    BIO 341 Plant Taxonomy
    ENS 233 Forest Biology

    One of the following zoology courses (may also be taken as an area requirement)
    BIO 178 Introduction to Animal Science
    BIO 235 Vertebrate Zoology
    BIO 241 Invertebrate Zoology
    BIO 318 General Ornithology
    BIO 345 Developmental Biology
    BIO 348 Animal Behavior
    BIO 351 Mammalian Physiology
    BIO 435 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

Honors Program: Graduation in Biology with honors is possible for qualified students. See description under Natural Sciences on page 103.

Biology with a Program in Secondary Education 9-12: Biology majors interested in becoming secondary science teachers may choose the option of earning a BA in biology with a Program in Secondary Education 9-12. The College is currently seeking authorization from the North Carolina State Board of Education for General Science Licensure. In order to be accepted into this special major program, students must also have formal acceptance into the Teacher Education Program. On successful completion of this major, including designated education courses, successful student teaching, and approval of the Teacher Education Committee, the student may obtain licensing at the secondary (9-12) level, pending North Carolina State Board Approval. Students will be assigned one advisor in biology and one advisor from the Education department.

Total Credit Hours for Program in Secondary Education K-12: A minimum of 28 credit hours in biology must be earned, with an additional 21 credit hours in physics, chemistry, and environmental studies. Licensure also requires professional education coursework, as below.

Requirements in Biology:
BIO 116 General Biology
BIO 202 Ecology
BIO 322 Genetics

Area Requirements: Students must complete a minimum of 4 credits in each of the following areas(see above for specific courses that fulfill these areas):

  1. Cellular and Subcellular Biology
  2. Form and Function
    3. Botany
  3. Zoology
    4. Other Science Requirements:
    CHM 116 General Chemistry I
    CHM 117 General Chemistry II
    PHY 112 Earth, Light, and Sky
    PHY 251 Physics I
    ENS 116 Introduction to Environmental Studies
    SCI 491 Natural Science Seminar Attendance

    Professional Education Requirements for 9-12 General Science Licensure:
    EDU 215 Classroom Observation K-12
    PSY 204 Adolescent Development
    EDU 305 Educational Psychology
    EDU 312 Exceptionalities I
    EDU 302 Education Policy and Classroom Practice
    EDU 402 Secondary School Curriculum
    EDU 401 Classroom Assessment
    EDU 435 Curriculum Fieldwork K-12
    EDU 406 Student Teaching in the Secondary School

Minor in Biology

To be counted for a minor, each course must be passed with a grade of C- or better.

Requirements: A minimum of 25 credits as follows:

BIO 116 General Biology
BIO 202 Ecology
BIO 322 Genetics
OR
BIO 208 Cell Biology
CHM 116 General Chemistry I

An additional 8 credits of Biology courses at or above the level of BIO 113.