Biology's new curriculum and you
The biology is adopting a new curriculum in the 2009-10 school year. The changes may or may not affect you, depending on what year you became a biology major. See the following questions and answers to learn more.
1. Does it affect me?
It may, if you are pursuing, or plan to pursue, a concentration listed below. Both incoming freshmen and returning students are affected by these changes. The new curriculum may affect your degree options, the basic (introductory) courses you take, and the cognate (required non-biology) courses you need to complete.
2. What degree options do I have in biology?
We offer B.S. (Bachelor of Science) and/or B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) degrees. Why two degrees? Our major concentrations offer a wide variety of programs to fit the needs of our students and prepare them for interesting and successful careers, including biotechnology, environmental science and more.
Biology Department Major Concentrations (Programs) of Study |
|
|---|---|
Major |
Degree Options |
Biology (the B.A. option is new) |
|
| Biotechnology | B.S. |
B.A. |
|
B.S. |
|
Comprehensive and Integrated Science Studies |
B.A. |
Elementary and Secondary Integrated Science Studies |
B.A. |
3. How would I choose between a B.S and a B.A. degree in biology?
Our B.S. program has strong research, quantitative, and interdisciplinary components. Choose the B.S. degree program if you plan to pursue:
- traditional careers in biology, e.g., technical, industrial, or natural-resource positions
- graduate/education leading to a M.S. or Ph.D. in any biological subdiscipline
- professional, advanced-degree programs in medicine (human, dental, veterinary) and other health-care, research, or management positions
Our B.A. program has less emphasis on research and interdisciplinary courses than the B.S. program. Choose the B.A. degree program if you plan to pursue:
- a secondary education biology major
- a comprehensive and integrated science studies major
- a double major such as English and Biology, or Philosophy and Biology
- careers such as law, business, psychology, or technical writing – for which an understanding of biology would be valuable
4. What courses are changing with the new curriculum?
Four new introductory courses will replace three old courses, as shown below. In 2009-2010 freshman biology majors must take all four introductory courses, but returning students may need to take only some new courses. See question 6 for a more complete listing of who needs to take what course.
| Course | Spring 2009 | Fall 2009 | Spring 2010 | Fall 2010 | Spring 2011 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New | Biology 123-Living World: Concepts & Connections | 1st Offering |
offered |
offered |
offered |
|
| Biology 224- Cellular and Genetic Systems | 1st Offering |
offered |
offered |
|||
Biology 225- Ecological and Evolutionary Systems |
1st Offering |
offered |
||||
Biology 250- Research Methodologies and Design |
1st Offering |
offered |
||||
| Old | Biology 141- Cell Biology and Genetics | Continues as a non-biology majors' course for pre-health profession students |
||||
| Biology 242- Animal Biology | Last Offered |
|||||
Biology 243- Plant Biology |
offered |
Last Offered |
||||
5. Do the four introductory-course changes affect all degree options?
Yes. That way, students can explore the discipline before selecting a major. Each major also requires chemistry, quantitative and interdisciplinary cognate courses. Divergence among our different degree programs takes place as students enter their second or third years.
| Type of Course | B.S. in Biology | B.S. in Biotechnology | B.A. in Biology | B.A. in Biology Secondary Ed. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology Foundation | BIOL 123, 224, 225 | BIOL 123, 224, 225 | BIOL 123, 224, 225 | BIOL 123, 224, 225 |
| Introductory Research | BIOL250 | BIOL250 | BIOL250 | BIOL250 |
| Biology Seminar | BIOL295 (2x) | BIOL295 (2x) | BIOL295 (2x) | BIOL295 (2x) |
| Upper-Level Biology | BIOL 3XX (4x) | BIOL324, 383, 325, 334, 3XX | BIOL 3XX (4x) | BIOL 3XX (3x) see Web or catalog |
| Advanced Research | BIOL 354 or 385 or 399 | BIOL 354 or 385 or 399 | ---- | ---- |
| Biology Capstone | BIOL 394 or 395 or 396 | BIOL 394 or 395 or 396 | BIOL 394 or 395 or 396 | BIOL 395 |
| The cognates, shown below, are non-biology courses that all majors also must complete. | ||||
| Chemistry Cognates | 3 or 4 courses: CHEM 103, 104, 253 (or 261-262) |
4 or 5 courses: CHEM 103, 104, 253 (or 261-262), 323 (or 303) |
2 courses: CHEM 103, 104 |
3 courses: CHEM 103, 104, 253 |
| Quantitative Cognates | 3 courses: MATH 143 and 2 courses from: MATH 132 (or 171), CS 106 (or IS141), or PHYS 221-222 |
2 courses: MATH 143, MATH 132 (or 171) |
1 course: MATH 143 |
1 course: MATH 143 |
| Interdisciplinary Science or Science Education Cognates |
1 course: CS 106 (if not taken as a cognate), CHEM 262, 271, 303, 304, 323, 329, GEOL 151, 311, PSYCH 333, PHYS 223, or a biophysics interim |
1 course: CS 106 |
1 course: CS 106, CHEM 253, GEOL 151, MATH 132 (or 171), PHYS 223 or PSYCH 333 |
2 courses: SES 214, 314 |
| Total Credits | 67-70 semester hours | 67-73 semester hours | 51-53 semester hours | 52-53 semester hours |
6. As a new or returning biology student, what courses do I take next?
Good question! The answer depends on the courses you have already taken and when you will graduate. If the information below doesn’t answer your questions, talk to us anytime. Please contact any biology faculty member or Professor David DeHeer, the department chairperson.
| Graduation Year | Degree | If You've Already Completed... | Then Take These Courses Next | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2009 | Spring 2010 |
Fall 2010 | Spring 2011 | ||||
| 2009-2010 | B.S. | 141, 242, 243 | "Old Curriculum" Sequence | B.A. not available | |||
| 2010-2011 | B.S. | 141, 242, 243 | 3XX, 295 | 3XX, 295 | 3XX | 3XX | 354/385/399 |
| 395/396 (taken once) | |||||||
| 2011-2012 | B.S. | 141, 242 | 243 | 3XX | 250, 295 | 295, 3XX | 3XX (2x); 354/385/399; 394/395/396 |
| 2011-2012 | B.S. | 141 | 123 | 3XX | 225 | 250, 295 | 295 (1x); 3XX (3x); 354/385/399; 394/395/396 |
| 2012-2013 | B.S. | none | 123 | 224 | 225 | 250, 295 | 295 (1x); 3XX (4x); 354/385/399; 394/395/396 |
| 2010-2011 | B.A. | 141, 242, 243 | 3XX, 295 | 3XX, 295 | 3XX | 3XX | |
| 395/396 (taken once) | |||||||
| 2011-2012 | B.A. 1 |
141, 242 | 243 | 3XX | 250, 295 | 3XX, 295 | 3XX (2x); 395 |
| 2011-2012 | B.A. | 141 | 123 | 3XX | 225 | 250, 295 | 295 (1x); 3XX (3x); 395 |
| 2012-2013 | B.A. | none | 123 | 224 | 225 | 250, 295 | 295 (1x); 3XX (4x); 395 |
7. As a pre-nursing or exercise science student or a student interested in physical or occupational therapy (not a biology major), what courses do I take next?
The answer depends on what courses you’ve already taken. The table below summarizes our recommendations.
| If You've Already Completed... | Then Take These Biology Courses Next | Notes | |||
| Fall 2009 | Spring 2010 | Fall 2010 | Spring 2011 | ||
| No Courses | 141 | 207 | 205 | 206 | Add CHEM 115 in Fall, 2009 |
| 141 | 207, 205 | 206 | |||
| 141, 205 | 207 | 206 | |||
| 205, 206 | 141 | 207 | |||
|
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8. As a pre-health professions student intending to pursue graduate education, e.g., medicine or dentistry, what are my major/program options?
To graduate you must declare a major, e.g., biology, biotechnology, environmental science-biology, etc. A major does not need to be in biology – it could be in another department. You may double major in two different departments, one of which may be biology.
Programs are combinations of courses recommended to satisfy admission requirements for specific graduate schools. However, a program alone is insufficient for graduation. You also must declare a major.
| Options for Pre-Health Profession Students Intending on Graduate Education | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Major or Program | Degree Option |
Graduation options |
Biology department major | B.S. biology degree recommended 1 |
| Double major in biology and some other department | B.A. biology degree recommended 2 | |
| Major in some other department | Whatever degree is offered by other department | |
Biology programs (student may pursue a program but also must declare a major) |
|
|
| 1 In some situations, a B.A. degree might be appropriate. Please consult with your academic advisor. 2 In some situations, a B.S. degree might be appropriate. Please consult with your academic advisor. |
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9. Do pre-med, pre-dent or pre-vet students have additional course requirements?
Yes. This table lists the Calvin College courses that meet the admission requirements for most professional schools.
| Additional Requirements for Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, or Pre-Veterinary Medicine Students | ||
|---|---|---|
| Major(s) | Recommended Major | Additional Requirements |
| A biology department major | Complete requirements for a biology B.S. degree 1,2 |
|
| A biology department major plus a second, non-biology major | Complete requirements for a biology B.A. degree 1,2 Note: The B.A. option does not include an advanced research experience |
|
| Non-Biology Major | Minimally 3, complete the following pre-professional biology courses: |
|
| 1 In the new curriculum, the first course for all Biology majors (B.S. or B.A. degree) is BIOL 123. 2 Recommended 3XX courses include BIOL 321 and 331 3 Some medical schools have unique requirements such as microbiology, cell biology, etc. Please check with the pre-med advisor, Professor Peter Tigchelaar. |
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