Department of Biology and Life Sciences Dr. Michael Balas, Chair; Dr. Nancy Antonino; Dr. Nicholas Despo; Dr. Fatimata Palé; Dr. Sarah Swerdlow
Biology Major with Two Tracks
The major program in biology provides students with a broad background in various areas of biology and prepares students to understand and use biological principles and methods. The relevance of biology to other disciplines is emphasized. The program promotes participation in laboratory and field studies. Students are prepared upon graduation to enter graduate school, professional school or careers in biologically-related areas. The Department of Biology provides students with opportunities to develop their following abilities: 1. To understand biological principles and their implications from the molecular to the ecosystem levels of organization; 2. To study, analyze experimentally and interpret biological problems; 3. To communicate effectively about biological matters.
A major in biology can be satisfied by completing the requirements for one of two tracks, standard biology or conservation biology. The standard biology track is a traditional balance of requirements in molecular, organisms and population biology. (Drs. Despo and Swerdlow advise students in the traditional track.) Conservation biology places more emphasis on biological diversity, population biology, environmental biology and conservation strategies. This discipline is international and global in perspective and requires an interdisciplinary perspective. (Drs. Balas and Palé advise conservation biology students.) Conservation biology track students should take BIO 116 (Conservation Biology) during their first year.
Major Requirements
(Bachelor of Arts Degree)
The requirements for the biology major are structured so that students take at least one course in each of several areas of biology and related sciences. BIO 145 serves as a prerequisite for each of the upper-level biology courses. Courses that consider the characteristics of major kinds of life (BIO 212, 222, 262 and 263) are intended to follow BIO 145 and should be started before other upper-level biology courses are taken. Additional courses in biology, related sciences and math are important for advanced work in biological fields. (Conservation biology track majors should take BIO 116 during their first year.) All courses taken for the major in biology must be passed with a grade of C minus or better.
BIOLOGY
A student who graduates from Thiel College with a major in biology will: • understand biological principles and their implications from the molecular to the ecosystem level of organization. • study, analyze experimentally and interpret biological problems from the molecular to the ecosystem level or organization. • be able to effectively communicate about biological matters in both oral and written form. • be prepared for discipline-related employment (including secondary education in Pennsylvania) or admission into a discipline-related graduate or professional program.
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