Biology, Minor

Introduction

Biology is in the midst of revolutionary changes that are reshaping how we study and understand life. The Biology Department embraces these changes, which are reflected in our curriculum. Our mission is to provide the highest quality education to our students so they achieve their greatest potential. We endeavor to give students relevant, authentic experiences and to encourage their development as scientists. We highly value mentoring undergraduate researchers and student involvement in civic engagement and outreach. Although we serve many pre-health professions students, we care deeply about providing a broad biology education in a liberal arts context.

Program Learning Outcomes

Our curriculum is guided by these goals:

1. Students will demonstrate deep understanding of five core concepts in biology: evolution; pathways and transformations of energy and matter; information flow, exchange, and storage; structure and function; and biological systems.

2. Students will use the standard skills and methodologies of biology to answer scientific questions.

3. Students will apply the scientific method, reasoning and appropriate mathematics to describe, explain and understand biological systems.

4. Students will use interdisciplinary approaches (applying chemistry, physics, and mathematics to biology) to work on biological problems.

5. Students effectively will read, write, speak and understand scientific material.

6. Students will collaborate and communicate within biology and across disciplines.

7. Students will apply science to issues facing our society.