Academics

Sharon Kinsman working with her Forest Ecology students.

The Biology curriculum covers all levels of biological organization from molecules to ecosystems. Majors actively learn biology in innovative classroom, laboratory, and field settings, and special emphasis is placed on development of sound critical thinking and research skills. The major’s core courses (Bio 190, 242, and 270) use the Principal Investigator (PI) System in the laboratory – a collaborative learning pedagogy in which students learn biology by practicing the process of scientific inquiry through investigative laboratory and field experiences and W2-level writing training. Elective courses at the upper levels provide focused training at all levels of biological organization. Biology seniors also complete a required capstone experience which may include thesis or service learning projects. In recent years we have graduated approximately 50-70 majors per year in Biology and its related disciplines, a majority of whom go on to graduate and professional schools within five years of graduation.