Biology Department

Chair: J. William Straus;

Professors: John H. Long, Jr., Nancy Jo Pokrywka, Margaret Ronsheim, Mark A. Schlessman, Kathleen M. Susman;

Associate Professors: David Justin Esteban, David K. Jemiolo, Jennifer Kennell, A. Marshall Pregnall, Jodi Schwarz^a, J. William Straus;

Assistant Professors: Lynn Christenson^a, Kelli A. Duncan, Megan D. Gall, Justin Touchon;

Lecturer: Mary Ellen Czesak;

^a On leave 2015/16, first semester

Early Advising: Those students considering a concentration in biology should consult a departmental adviser early in their freshman year to discuss appropriate course sequences. After declaration of the major, no NRO work is permissible in the major.

Postgraduate Work: Students considering graduate school or other professional schools should be aware that such schools usually require courses beyond the minimum biology major requirements. In general, students should have at least a full year of organic chemistry, a year of physics, computer science, statistics and calculus. Students are urged to begin their chemistry and other correlated sciences coursework as soon as possible, since this will assist them in successful completion of the biology major. Students should consult with the chair of biology or the pre-medical adviser at their earliest opportunity.

Further Information: For additional information on research opportunities, honors requirements, etc., please see the biology department. http://biology.vassar.edu/

Advisers: Any of the faculty members of the Biology Department can serve as Major Advisors. Students who have a preference for a particular faculty adviser may ask that individual whether s/he would be willing to serve as adviser. Students who have no preference should make an appointment to see the Chair of the Department to be assigned an adviser.

Programs

Major

• Biology Major

Correlate Sequence in Biology

• Biology Correlate Sequence

Courses

Biology: I. Introductory

Biology: II. Intermediate

Prerequisites for 200-level courses are BIOL 106 and either BIOL 105 , AP Biology with a 4 or 5 AP score, or IB higher level 5, 6 or 7 test score, unless otherwise noted.

Biology: III. Advanced

Two units of 200-level biology are prerequisites for entry into 300-level courses; see each course for specific courses required or exceptions.