Biology Major

Major Requirements (at least 16 courses)

1. BIOL 043L JS - Introductory Biology -BIOL 044L JS - Introductory Biology 
2. CHEM 014L JS - Basic Principles of Chemistry -CHEM 015L JS - Basic Principles of Chemistry , or
   CHEM 029L JS - Accelerated General Chemistry 
3. PHYS 030L JS - General Physics -PHYS 031L JS - General Physics ,
   or
   PHYS 033L JS - Principles of Physics -PHYS 034L JS - Principles of Physics 
4. MATH 030 CM - Calculus I  (should be taken before Physics)
5. CHEM 116L JS - Organic Chemistry -CHEM 117L JS - Organic Chemistry 
6. Electives: six advanced courses in biology (numbered 100 and above), including at least three courses with labs. These elective courses should be selected in consultation with a Joint Science faculty member, and may be chosen so as to obtain depth in one area of biology (e.g. cellular/molecular, organismal, or population-level), or breadth across all areas.
7. Senior Thesis : biology majors must complete a one- or two-semester thesis in biology. For further information, see Senior Thesis in Science .

Learning Goals of the Program in Biology

The biology discipline of the Joint Science Department aims to provide students with skills and knowledge to prepare them as citizens to effectively engage and evaluate biological science issues and innovations in the wider world, and to prepare them as leaders in research, biotechnology, and health-related career fields.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Program in Biology

We see the following specific student learning goals as critical to achieving the above:

1. Understanding of foundational scientific principles and findings in a student’s major field;
2. Ability to transfer knowledge of foundational principles between different disciplines;
3. Ability to clearly communicate scientific principles orally and in writing;
4. Critical, analytical, scientific thinking skills:
   1. develop scientific questions and methods for answering them
   2. read/understand original research
   3. quantitative approaches to data analysis, presentation, and modeling; application of quantitative/analytical tools;
5. Understanding of how science relates to current problems in the modern world.