Biology
Today, genetic
information and the manipulation of biological processes affects
everybody in economic, legal, and philosophical as well as biological terms.
We want
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 freshman
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 courses (no
prerequisites) in the fall semester and four different courses in the spring.
Completing any two of these courses the freshman year is an effective way
to satisfy the laboratory science requirement or begin the Biology or B&MB major. In addition, we also strongly recommend that
prospective Biology or B&MB majors begin the
chemistry sequence in the first year (beginning with CHEM
141, which is taught only in the fall semster each year). The Department
does not recommend taking two BioDiscovery
courses in the same semester.
BioDiscovery Course Offerings Fall 2005
Each of these courses counts as a laboratory science credit. They have no prerequisites and can be taken in any order. Two BioDiscovery courses (or equivalent) must be taken before you can take an upper level biology course. A different group of four Biodiscovery courses will be offered in Spring 2006.
Advanced
Placement for Biology Courses
If you completed the AP Exam in Biology with a score of 4 or 5, you will receive credit for two introductory biology courses. This credit will fulfill the distribution requirement and will make you eligible for upper level biology courses. We strongly recommend that students with AP credit contact the Department before selecting courses to discuss proper placement.
If you have taken college-level biology courses elsewhere, these may receive transfer credit from the Registrar. Depending on the credit allowed, these may fulfill the lab science distribution requirement, and they may count as prerequisites that qualify you for upper level biology courses. One thing to keep in mind if you plan a Biology is that of the nine biology courses required for the major, at least four must be upper-level laboratory courses (exclusive of independent study/research) taken in residence at the College.
The requirements
for the Biology and B&MB majors are listed in
the Dickinson College Bulletin
(Programs of Study) and can be found at the Dickinson College Website www.dickinson.edu/bulletin/biology.html
and www.dickinson.edu/bulletin/biochem.html
along with information about field study and study abroad programs. You may
have questions about how your particular background and your future aims can
best be matched with science courses at Dickinson. We will be happy to work
with you to answer your questions. Please feel free to contact the Department
Chair loeffler@dickinson.edu
and visit the Biology Department Website www.dickinson.edu/departments/biol/
and www.dickinson.edu/departments/biol/biochem.html
Updated June 20, 2005