Biology Major

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Requirements for Concentration:

13 or 14 units

Introductory-Level:

BIOL 106 and either BIOL 105 , or AP Biology with 4 or 5 AP test score, or IB higher level 5, 6 or 7 test score. IB students must confirm their IB credit with the Dean of Studies office.

Intermediate-Level:

Four units of graded work. At least one course must be taken from each subject area listed below.

Advanced-Level:

3 units of graded work. One of the three units can be fulfilled by completing CHEM 323 .

Chemistry:

Either CHEM 108 and CHEM 109 or CHEM 125 at the introductory level, and CHEM 244 at the intermediate level.

Additional courses:

two units to be chosen from among CHEM 245 ; PHYS 113 , PHYS 114 ; MATH 101 , MATH 102 , MATH 121 , MATH 122, MATH 125, MATH 126 , MATH 127 , or MATH 141 ; ESCI 151 ; PSYC 200 ; NEUR 201 ; ENST 124 ; GEOG 224 ; and other intermediate or advanced science courses subject to departmental approval. One of the two units may also be an additional graded 200-level or 300-level Biology course or ungraded independent research, BIOL 298 or BIOL 399 .

Intermediate-Level Subject Areas and Courses:

Genetics (students may only take one course from this area)

Natural History, Ecology, and Diversity

Physiological and Cellular Biology

Senior Year Requirements:

two units of graded 300-level biology taken at Vassar College.

Independent Research

The biology department encourages students to engage in independent research with faculty mentors, and offers ungraded courses BIOL 178 , BIOL 298 , and BIOL 399 . The department also offers BIOL 303 , a graded research experience for senior majors. Students should consult the chair or individual faculty members for guidance in initiating independent research.

Field Work:

The department offers field work in biology. Students should consult the field work office and a biology faculty adviser for details.

Teaching Certification:

Students who wish to obtain secondary school teaching certification in biology should consult both the biology and education departments for appropriate course requirements.