Major in Biology
The biology major exposes students to a wide variety of field, laboratory, and classroom experiences fundamental to the life sciences. Through selected electives students can concentrate on specific areas of interest such as marine biology, ecology, microbiology, botany, zoology, or molecular biology. The major also offers the flexibility for students to minor in another area or to fulfill requirements for secondary teacher certification. Students have excellent opportunities to engage in independent research projects. Graduates are prepared to pursue employment in biological laboratories, and for further study in the health professions or graduate research institutions.
Curriculum
Biology Major
Thirteen (13) courses are required to complete the Biology Major: seven (7) core biology courses, four (4) core physical science courses, two (2) biology elective courses, and satisfactory performance on a comprehensive standardized examination. At least seven (7) of the thirteen (13) courses required for the biology major must be taken at Rollins College or as part of a Rollins sanctioned program (e.g. Woods Hole, University of London). Of these seven (7) courses, at least six (6) must be biology courses beyond BIO 120/121.
Core Biology courses (6 courses)
- BIO 120 General Biology I
- BIO 121 General Biology II
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One course in the Molecular Biology/Genetics group (BIO 308 Genetics or BIO 341 Molecular Biology)
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One course in the Ecosystems/Field Biology group (BIO 316 Ecology; BIO 330 Field Botany; or Marine Biology Laboratory [BIO 385F, 386F, or 387F])
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One course in the Physiology group (BIO 311 Plant Physiology; BIO 312 Animal Physiology; BIO 329 Microbial Physiology; or BIO 360 Cellular Biology)
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BIO 344 Biology Journal Club
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BIO 440 Senior Seminar or BIO 462 Evolution or BIO 499 Independent Study: Biological Research
Core Physical Science courses (4 courses)
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CHM 120 Chemistry
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CHM 220 Organic Chemistry I
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CHM 221 Organic Chemistry II
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PHY 120 General Physics I or PHY 130 Principles of Physics I
Biology electives (2 courses)
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Any biology course above BIO 210. Courses from the core grouping other than those used for the core, can be used as electives. BIO 344 Biology Journal Club may not count as an elective. One biological internship (BIO 296, 396, or 496) may be used as an elective.
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Plants play a central role in our biosphere.However, our modern society often fails to recognize the significance of plants in biological systems, the scientific contributions of plant based research, and the importance of plants in human affairs.Therefore, the Department recommends that at least one of the courses taken to fulfill the requirements for a major in biology be a plant-oriented biology course.
Recommendations
Students preparing for graduate programs in biology or professional schools in health-related areas such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or pharmacy, need a thorough introduction to chemistry, physics and mathematics. Therefore, they are advised to take CHM 320 Analytical Chemistry and PHY 121 General Physics II or 131 Principles of Physics II, a calculus course, and a statistics course.In addition, some professional schools now require biochemistry (BCH 431, 432). Students should be aware that requirements of different programs may vary and they should seek guidance from advisors and program directors.
Off-campus experiences
Rollins College, as part of the Associated Colleges of the South, has an agreement with the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole for students to participate in the Semester in Environmental Science at Woods Hole. Students who complete the semester will be able to use courses taken there as the core course in Ecosystems/Field group and up to 2 electives. Students need to petition and receive approval from the Biology Department for this and any other off-campus programs.
Biology Minor
Eight (8) courses are required: Four (4) core biology courses, two (2) core
chemistry courses and two (2) biology elective courses.
Core Biology courses (4 courses)
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BIO 120 General Biology I
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BIO 121 General Biology II
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One course in Cellular/Molecular Biology group (BIO 308 Genetics; BIO 341
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One course in Ecosystems/Field course group (BIO 316 Ecology; BIO 340 Field Botany;
Core Chemistry courses (2 courses)
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CHM 120 Chemistry
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CHM 220 Organic Chemistry I
Biology electives (2 courses with at least 10 semester-hours, at least 1 must be at the 300 or 400-level)
Any Biology course above BIO 210. After satisfying core requirements in the cellular/molecular biology and ecosystems/field groups, additional courses from these clusters may be used as electives.