The Biology Major
Students that are interested in the life sciences and have yet to declare a major may consider Biology or one of its closely related programs.
Major Requirements for Biology and Related Programs (2007-2008):
Any student, regardless of major, aspiring to enter a professional program may consult their advisor for recomended courses to take while at Hiram.
Recommendations for various professional programs to help get you started in your course selection:
Below is a listing of the requirements for a major in biology. Please refer to the Academic Catalog and your advisor for the most current requirements.
Core Courses
All students are required to have a foundation in biology which is provided by the core curriculum. The core curriculum consists of three different introductory courses, Biology 151, 152, and 230 and one upper level course, Biology 365. The three introductory courses (151, 152, and 230) must be taken prior to most of the upper level courses. Additionally, Biology 230 is a prerequisite for 365 and must be taken prior to taking the upper level course in the core curriculum.
Upper Level Courses
The upper level courses build on the core curriculum and provide the student with both breadth and specialization in biology. This combination is achieved through required categories that allow choice among courses to accommodate the individual interests and goals of the student. A total of five upper-level courses are required among the following categories:
- Category I. Organismal Biology – one course required in each category, A and B. One course must be an animal biology course (Biology 223, 320, 326, or 327) and one must be a plant biology course (Biology 213, 315/316, 331, or 332). Students may choose from option 1 or option 2.
Option 1
A. Biodiversity and phylogeny - Biology 213 or 315/316.
B. Structure and function - Biology 326 or 327.
Option 2
A. Biodiversity and phylogeny - Biology 223 or 320.
B. Structure and function - Biology 331 or 332.
- Category II. Integration and synthesis - one course required from among Biology 328, 335, 340, 341, 342, 366, 415, or 380.
- Category III. Electives - two courses are required from the following list: Biology 132 & 133, 215, 250, 280, 300, 310, 338, 344, 345, 347, 368, 378, and 380. Courses may also be selected from the upper level courses listed in category I and II from above.
Apprenticeship Experience
The apprenticeship experience, or APEX, is designed as the culmination of a student’s program in biology. The APEX allows each student to apply his or her expertise in a variety of contexts. This concrete experience can be achieved through an independent or collaborative research project on campus, a research techniques course and project, an internship off campus, or student teaching of biology in middle or secondary school. All students prepare and submit a scientific paper to the faculty supervisor and present a public lecture based upon the apprenticeship experience. Majors are required to meet with their biology faculty advisor no later than the advising period in the fall semester of the junior year to discuss options for the apprenticeship experience. One course is necessary from the following list to fulfill the apprenticeship experience requirement: Biology 481, 482, 498, or Education 423.
Required Correlative Courses
Modern biologists need background in other disciplines to enhance their insight into biological phenomena and to understand the role of biology in society. The following correlative courses are required: Chemistry 120 and 121; Chemistry 220; Physics 113 or 213; Mathematics 108 or 198.
One course addressing the ethical and historical aspects of science, chosen in consultation with the student's advisor in the biology department is strongly recommended. Examples include: Interdisciplinary 301, 302, 306, 307, 309, 311, 317, 318, 321, 344, 360, 361, 362, 370, 374, 375; Philosophy 265, 270.
Further courses in chemistry, mathematics, and physics are required for admission to most professional and graduate programs. Biology students planning to attend professional or graduate schools should investigate the specific requirements for these programs, including the possible need of a reading knowledge of a foreign language (French, German, or Spanish) or facility in a computer programming language.
Requirements for Honors in Biology
To be a candidate for honors in the APEX program in biology, a student must satisfy the College requirements for honors and must initiate and complete a high quality apprenticeship. The student must conduct himself/herself in a professional manner from inception to culmination of the apprenticeship experience.