The Biology Major at St. Olaf College
(St. Olaf College Catalog - Biology Section)
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR
Students majoring in biology complete eight biology courses and a year
of chemistry (Chemistry 121, 123, 126, or 125, 126). The integrated
chemistry-biology sequence (Chemistry/Biology 125, 126, 127) may be
taken in lieu of Biology 125, Chemistry 125 and 126. The eight Biology
courses must include: four core courses that emphasize cell/molecular
biology (Biology 125 or Chemistry/Biology 125-127), biodiversity and
evolution (Biology 126), genetics (Biology 233), and ecology (Biology
261); one course that focuses on a group of multicellular organisms
(Biology 242, 247, 248, 251, 252, or 266); one Level III Biology course;
two elective biology courses. (In general, completion of at least two
Level II courses are required to take a level III course.) Only one
Independent Study (Biology 298) or Independent Research (Biology 398)
can count toward the major; internships (Biology 294 or 394) do not
count toward the major. Biology 294 and 394 can only be taken P/N.
In addition to courses designated as biology, the following courses can count as biology electives: Biochemistry (Chemistry 379), Conservation Biology (Environmental Studies 125), Introduction to Neuroscience (Neuroscience 234) or Biopsychology (Psychology 238), Physiology of Exercise (Physical Education 375), and Human Neuropsychology (Psychology 385) or other courses as approved by petition to the department. For two of these courses to count, they must be from different departments or programs. No more than three Level I biology courses, including Biology 125 and 126, can count toward the major. Only Biology Department courses (including Independent Research) may count toward the Level III requirement.
Students wishing to count for the major a course taken abroad or at another institution must consult with the chair before taking the class.
While programs leading to graduate work are planned on an individual basis, most programs require students to have two or more quantitative courses (mathematics, statistics, or computer science), two courses in physics, and at least four courses in chemistry.
Students intending to enter graduate or professional school are encouraged to consult with the biology faculty to plan a course of study appropriate for the postgraduate program. Students pursuing a secondary school Science Education Teaching License with a Life Science Specialty must complete the biology major including Biology 123 or 243 as one of their electives. Additional courses are required as specified by the Education Department. Interested students should consult faculty in the Education Department.
The prerequisite for Microbiology (Biology 231) and Human Anatomy and Physiology (Biology 243) is Biology 125 or Chemistry/Biology 125-127. Genetics (Biology 233) requires Biology 125 and completion or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry 125 or Chemistry/Biology 125-127. All other Level II courses have prerequisites of Biology 125 or Chemistry/Biology 125-127 and Biology 126.
Please refer to the St. Olaf Catalog for more information about the major and for descriptions of biology major and non-major courses. Link to Biology Section of St. Olaf Catalog
Majors may decide to concentrate their courses in one of several areas and should consult with the departmental staff members regarding a plan of study. However, the introductory work for all aresa is the same. The biology staff recommends the following guidelines for first years and sophomores:
First Year
| Fall Semester | Interim | Spring Semester |
| Lab Science part 1, Bio 125 or Chem 121 or Chem 125 or CH/BI 125) |
Bio 125 (up to 40 students) OR If completed Chem 121, must take Chem 123 OR If completed CH/BI 125, must take CH/BI 126 OR elective |
Lab Science part 2: (Bio 126 or Chem 126 or CH/BI 127 |
| Mathematics Math 120/121 or Math 126/128 or Other courses according to placement |
Elective Mathematics: Math 126 or 220 or Stats 212 or CS 121 or Other courses according to placement/interest |
|
| First Year GE courses GE121 (FY Seminar) or Rel 121 or Conversations |
First Year GE courses GE121 (FY Seminar) or Rel 121 or Conversations |
|
| General Education elective (e.g., language) | General Education elective (e.g., language) | |
| (Physical activity or music lesson) | (Physical activity or music lesson) |
Sophomore Year
| Fall Semester | Interim | Spring Semester |
| Intro Lab Science Part 1 (see above—Note: CH/BI is open to first years only) |
Bio 125 (up to 40 students) OR If completed Chem 121, must take Chem 123 OR If completed CH/BI 125, must take CH/BI 126 OR elective |
Intro Lab Science Part 2 (see above) |
| Level II Lab Science If completed Bio 125/126 or CH/BI 127 & Bio 126, then Bio 233 or Bio 261 or other 200-level courses) OR e.g., Chem 247 & 253 or Chem 255 or ES 255 or ES 245 OR Elective |
Level II Lab Science If completed Bio 125/126 or CH/BI 127 & Bio 126, then Bio 233 or Bio 261 or other 200-level courses) OR Chem 248 & 254 OR ES 255 or ES 245 OR elective |
Interims during the first two years are electives. Consult with an
advisor regarding which courses to select.
The appropriate beginning courses in chemistry (125 or 121), mathematics
(120, 122, 126), and physics (124) are determined for each student by
the departments involved. Some variations in the above progress may
be recommended after consultation by the student with her/his advisor.
Bio 125 does require some knowledge of chemistry. See the College Catalog
for additional information. Some students may wish, and perhaps should,
complete the foreign language requirement in their first year. Deviation
from the program recommended above should be worked out carefully with
one's advisor. If you do not have a biology faculty member as an advisor,
please feel free to contact any biology faculty member for advice. If
majoring in biology you should transfer to a biology advisor by the
end of your sophomore year.
PRE-HEALTH
The basic two-year program can be used with some modifications to fit
the need of most individuals. Students interested in Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental
or Pre-Veterinary preparation can get needed advice from any member
of the biology staff even though their advisor may be in another department.
Dr. Johnson is the advisor for health-related fields and we encourage
you to discuss programs (such as Pre-Med, Pre-Dent) with him. Dr. Johnson
is also the Health Studies Coordinator for St. Olaf and will gladly
assist students in developing programs that will lead to work in many
other health related fields such as physical therapy. Dr. Kermott will
assist any student interested in the Pre-Vet programs.
PRE-TEACHING
Students with interests in teaching science in secondary schools should
also consult as soon as possible with the Education Department (Teacher
Education Program) at St. Olaf.
PRE-GRADUATE WORK
A student planning to do graduate work in biology should begin to discuss
her/his interests with staff members early in a career at St. Olaf.
As more specific interests develop in a particular area of biology,
a program should be planned according to individual goals and should
include some independent research work. This work and programs can be
developed with assistance of the biology staff member most appropriate
for the area of interest. Many opportunities for independent research
in biology are available during the summer at St. Olaf and at a wide
variety of other institutions.
