Biology (B.S.)

Faculty

Dr. Kaitlin Wellens, Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Biology (program chair)
Dr. Cynthia DeBoy, Clare Boothe Luce Associate Professor of Biology
Dr. Taylor McFadden, Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Biology
Dr. Patrice E. Moss, Clare Boothe Luce Associate Professor of Biochemistry
Dr. Patrice Nielson, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies
Dr. Mia Ray, Clare Boothe Luce Associate Professor of Biology

Description

The Biology Program offers a major and minor to students in the College of Arts and Sciences, and also contributes non-major biology courses for students interested in life sciences or preparing for related coursework. The Biology Program supports an interdisciplinary major in Biochemistry. Biology majors and minors pursue a diversified program across a range of topics and subdisciplines, ultimately preparing students for careers in many areas of biological science, including research,  medicine, education, science communication, and more. For those in related majors, the program focuses particularly on the interfaces between biology and other sciences, professional programs, social sciences, and humanities. Non-majors in biology courses receive exposure to fundamental concepts, latest discoveries, and modes of inquiry in biology that are relevant to their lives and consistent with the objectives of the general education curriculum. The many extraordinary developments in modern biology offer much to engage students at all levels.

Students who study biology at Trinity enjoy both the advantages of close faculty-student relationships and the benefits of access to the country’s primary resource collections, major research facilities, and outstanding internship opportunities at nationally recognized facilities.

The Biology program offers a major (69-70 credits) and minor (22 credits) in the College of Arts and Sciences. The Biology program also support a minor in Bioinformatics (19-20 credits). See program requirements below:

Major Requirements (69-70 credits)

Required Biology Courses (28 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

BIOL 113 Biodiversity of Living Systems
BIOL 114 Cell Biology
BIOL 223 Genomics & Evolution
BIOL 224 Intro to Biochemistry
BIOL 333 Microbiology: Diversity, Dis & Discovery
BIOL 334 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
BIOL 444 Molecular Biochemistry of the Cell

Program Seminar Courses (10 credits)
NSCM 101 Mentor Moment 1
NSCM 102 Mentor Moment 2
NSCM 103 Mentor Moment 3
NSCM 104 Mentor Moment 4
NSCM 498 STEM Experiential Learning Experience
NSCM 499 Divisional Seminar

One Elective (3-4 credits) 

BIOL 331 Histology and Cytology
BIOL 343 Immunology
BIOL 351 Ecology
CHEM 432 Metabolic Biochemistry
PSYC 241 Physiological Psychology

Requirements in Related Fields (28 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

CHEM 111 Fundamentals of Chemistry I
CHEM 112 Fundamentals of Chemistry II
CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 222 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 223 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 224 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
PHYS 111 General Physics I
PHYS 112 General Physics II

Recommended Courses (4 credits)

MATH 225 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II

Additional courses in computer science and statistics are also recommended.

Minor Requirements

Biology

Required Courses (22 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

MATH 123 Pre-Calculus
BIOL 113 Biodiversity of Living Systems
BIOL 114 Cell Biology
BIOL 223 Genomics & Evolution or BIOL 224 Intro to Biochemistry

Additionally:
SIX credits of Biology (one at the 200-level or above and one at the 300-level or above)

Bioinformatics (19-20 credits)

Bioinformatics lies at the intersections of biology, computer science, and information technology. Students in the Bioinformatics program will become proficient in developing, storing, and analyzing complex biological data, particularly with DNA, RNA, and protein sequences. The Bioinformatics curriculum offers a glimpse into this growing global industry and can prepare students for graduate education or open doors to many different careers in academia, healthcare, medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology.

Required Courses (13 credits)

Any 100-level BIOL/CHEM course (4 credits)
ITEC 100 Introduction to Data Analytics
BIOL 214 Bioinformatics
MATH 215 Prob & Stats with Applications

Elective Courses (6-7 credits)
Choose TWO additional courses from the following:
ITEC 210 Data Visualization and Communication
ITEC 304 Data Manipulation
BIOL 223 Genomics & Evolution
CMSC 111 Introduction to Programming
PHIL 281 Ethical and Legal Issues in Information Technology
CMSC 311 Data Structures and Algorithms

Program Policies

Advanced Placement: Credit will be granted for the score of 4 or 5 on the AP examination. A score of 4 or 5 will be accepted in lieu of an introductory 100-level Biology course.

CLEP Policy: A satisfactory score on the CLEP examination in general biology will be accepted in lieu of an introductory 100-level Biology course .

Grades in Major Courses: Students are required to have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in all courses counted to fulfill the requirements for the major and students must have a “C” (2.0) or higher in all BIOL courses counting towards the major requirements.

Pass/No Pass: Courses fulfilling the major requirement may not be taken pass/no pass.

Senior Assessment: The senior assessment in biology consists of an oral presentation of a research proposal for a topic in biology.  Students should complete the senior assessment during the semester they take NSCM 499.

Transfer Credits: Transfer credit will be awarded after appropriate program review and approval.

Course Descriptions

BIOL 113 Biodiversity of Living Systems
BIOL 114 Cell Biology
BIOL 206 Flowering Plants
BIOL 214 Bioinformatics
BIOL 220 Introductory Forensic Science
BIOL 221 Plant Diversity
BIOL 223 Genomics & Evolution
BIOL 224 Intro to Biochemistry
BIOL 235 Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 331 Histology and Cytology
BIOL 333 Microbiology: Diversity, Dis & Discovery
BIOL 334 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
BIOL 343 Immunology
BIOL 351 Ecology
BIOL 444 Molecular Biochemistry of the Cell
CHEM 111 Fundamentals of Chemistry I
CHEM 112 Fundamentals of Chemistry II
CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 222 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 223 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 224 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
CMSC 111 Introduction to Programming
CMSC 311 Data Structures and Algorithms
ITEC 100 Introduction to Data Analytics
ITEC 210 Data Visualization and Communication
MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
MATH 215 Prob & Stats with Applications
MATH 225 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
NSCM 101 Mentor Moment 1
NSCM 102 Mentor Moment 2
NSCM 103 Mentor Moment 3
NSCM 104 Mentor Moment 4
NSCM 498 STEM Experiential Learning Experience
NSCM 499 Divisional Seminar
PHIL 281 Ethical and Legal Issues in Information Technology
PHYS 111 General Physics I
PHYS 112 General Physics II
PSYC 241 Physiological Psychology