Curriculum Overview
Biology
The study of biology furnishes insights into our species, our selves and the world of which we are a part. We humans have a fascination for other organisms and the very phenomenon of life. Biology provides us the tools to address questions ranging from how these organisms function at the molecular level to how they interact at the ecological level. Biology is an exciting, expanding discipline offering a broad and advancing frontier between the known and the undiscovered, with a variety of sub-disciplines that span the molecular to organismal to ecological levels of understanding. It is a gateway to diverse and satisfying careers and it provides insights and ways of thinking critical to each individual in society.
The Biology Department at Franklin & Marshall is made up of diverse and broadly-trained faculty members whose research informs their teaching. As befits biology's place in the contemporary world, courses and research provide links to many other disciplines, including chemistry, psychology, physics, mathematics, environmental science and public policy. The department participates in several interdisciplinary programs: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biological Foundations of Behavior (Neuroscience and Animal Behavior), Environmental Science and Environmental Studies.
The central goal of the Biology curriculum is to provide students with the essential research and analytical thinking skills needed by practicing biologists and, indeed, by all citizens in a democratic society. Critical reading of journal articles is an important
Most courses above BIO 230 require permission of the instructor.
The writing requirement in the Biology major is met by completion of one elective with a writing component. Regular courses satisfying the writing requirement in the Biology major are BIO 250, 306, 308, 309, 310, 323, 325, 326, 330, 332, 337, 340, 341, 342, 343, 345, 390 and 490. Some topics courses from 370-379 also fulfill the writing requirement in the Biology major. (BWR designates courses fulfilling the Biology writing requirement.)
A major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology includes five biology courses (BIO 110, 220, 230, 305 and 334), six chemistry courses (CHM 111, 112, 211, 212, 321 and 432) and two electives from Biology and/or Chemistry. The electives must be chosen from the following list of courses: BFB 490; BIO 240, 306, 307, 308, 309, 322, 326, 332, 341, some topics courses from 370-379, 390 and 490; or CHM 221, 222, 322, 384, 390 and 490. Only one semester of an independent study course (390 or 490) may count as an elective and none of the electives may be a course without a laboratory. Required related courses are PHY 111 and MAT 109 and 110. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors may not declare a minor in Chemistry.
The Biological Foundations of Behavior major offers concentrations in Neuroscience and Animal Behavior. Beginning in introductory courses, laboratory and activities often involve student-designed investigative projects. In more advanced courses students have access to state of the art instruments and may spend the entire semester conducting a research project. In addition to learning to design, conduct and analyze scientific research, students learn essential communication skills as they convey their results in written, spoken and poster form. These activities lead many students to intensive research experiences during the summer or academic year, under the mentorship of faculty members.
Franklin & Marshall's biology program, with required and elective courses in biology as well as courses in mathematics, chemistry and physics, provides students with a firm scientific foundation and enough flexibility to accommodate individual interests. The range of these interests is reflected in the many paths biology majors follow after graduation, with or without further education.
A major in Biology consists of 15 courses. Nine are core and elective courses in Biology: BIO 110, 220, 230, 305; and five electives. At least three of the electives must be taken at Franklin & Marshall. At least four of the electives must have a laboratory component. The fifth elective may be a non-lab seminar. Independent Study (BIO 390 or 490) is lab-based and may count for up to two of the five electives. Directed Readings (BIO 391) may count for up to one non-lab elective. The six additional required courses are CHM 111, 112 and 211; PHY 111; MAT 109; and BIO 210 (with permission, PSY 230 or both MAT 216 and 316 may be substituted for BIO 210).
BIO 110, 220 and sometimes 230 are prerequisites to most higher-numbered courses.
Opportunities exist for students to design a joint or special studies major in Bioinformatics in consultation with the Biology and/or Computer Science chair.
Majors in the Department of Biology have studied abroad in the following programs in recent years: Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; University of Melbourne, Australia; University College, London, United Kingdom; School for Field Studies (in various countries); Danish International Study (DIS), Copenhagen, Denmark. See International and Off-Campus Study section of the Catalog for further information.
