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Biology Advising Guide
Introduction
Today,
genetic information and the manipulation of biological processes affects
everybody in economic, legal, and philosophical as well as biological
terms. We want Dickinson graduates to be
world leaders in having the background to grasp these issues, the competence to
access new information, and the motivation to do both. The Biology department uses introductory
biology laboratory courses, known as the “BioDiscovery” series, to accomplish
these goals.
Courses appropriate for prospective majors
The
following information is a general guide to beginning course work in
Biology. The Biology department strongly
encourages any student interested in enrolling in a Biology course as the
beginning of a potential major in biology to contact the department chair,
Professor Charles Zwemer, zwemer@dickinson.edu, for additional information.
The college
requires that all students complete two laboratory science courses as part of
the distribution requirements. We
strongly recommend that this requirement be at least partly completed by
students during their first year.
Beginning the introductory
biology sequence as a first-year student is particularly important for students
considering a major in Biology or Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (B&MB)
and students in the Pre-Health Program.
The Biology
department offers four introductory 100-level "BioDiscovery" courses
(no prerequisites) in each semester.
Completing two of these courses the first year is an effective way to
satisfy the laboratory science requirement or begin the Biology or B&MB
major. To encourage introduction to a broad range of biology topics, it is
recommended that students who complete two introductory biology courses at
Dickinson enroll in one course of the following (Biology 122, 125, 126, or 127)
and one course of the following (Biology 120, 121, 123, 124, or 129).
The department does not
recommend taking two BioDiscovery courses in the same semester. In addition, we also strongly recommend
that prospective Biology or B&MB majors begin the chemistry sequence in the
first year. Depending on placement,
this sequence begins with CHEM 131, General Chemistry with Lab, or CHEM 141,
Accelerated General Chemistry with Lab.
Both courses are taught only in the fall semester of each year.
Introductory
courses that fulfill distribution requirements
Division
III:
Any of the BioDiscovery courses, BIOL
120-129
Course descriptions, requirements for the major: refer to the College Bulletin: Biology.
Advanced placement for Biology courses
A student
who has completed the AP exam in Biology with a score of 4 or 5 will receive
credit for one introductory biology course. Such a student will need to take
one additional introductory biology course before becoming eligible for upper
level biology course.
Additional remarks
Careers: A Biology major prepares the individual to
enter the work force, for graduate school in the biological sciences, and the
health professions. Recent graduates are
active in industry, research, teaching, medicine, and dentistry.
Further Information: Members of
the Biology department welcome inquiries from students at all levels, and from
academic advisors who may wish additional information. Please call the department academic
coordinator, Janice Wiss (x1329).