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Biology MAJOR

Biology Major - Morehouse

EXPLORE LIFE, FROM THE BASIC TO THE COMPLEX

Morehouse biology majors delve into the fundamentals of organisms and systems of life.

Learn the composition of organisms and processes that make life possible.

Biology majors at Morehouse are  logically oriented, scientifically literate students who become professionally and intellectually prepared through mentored research and laboratory experimentation to communicate a range of scientific issues in the workplace or graduate studies.

Considerable emphasis is placed on preparing students for graduate work in various areas of biology. This is facilitated through formal courses, including laboratories and seminars in a broad range of subjects that present biological principles, concepts, and processes. Because biology is an experimental science, the biology major program seeks to provide opportunities for students to participate in course based and mentored research throughout the year.

The biology major program recognizes a particular responsibility to prepare students for careers in medicine, dentistry, and other health professions. It cooperates with other academic programs to provide a strong foundation for these professions. Part of that responsibility also extends to preparing students for careers in biomedical research.

The program also assumes special responsibility for the education of young men who have the potential to do college work, but who had inadequate secondary school preparation. First semester freshmen who are not well prepared for college biology based on their placements in mathematics and/or English reading are strongly advised to start the biology major by taking a research immersion course, HBIO 110 Phage Hunters, in their first semester prior to starting HBIO 111 General Biology. Starting with HBIO 110 does not delay graduation and significantly improves the success of these students.


Outcomes

After graduating, recent biology alumni started careers as:

    • Research scientists in the biological, biomedical, environmental, or public health sciences (typically after completing the M.S. or Ph.D. degree in graduate school). Such careers may be in academia, industry, or government sectors.
    • Healthcare professionals, after completing professional school (medical or dental school, physician assistant’s program, nursing, or physical therapy program).
    • Teachers, after completing a graduate program in education.
    • Policy experts or advocates, usually after completing a graduate program in an appropriate scientific discipline.
    • Entrepreneurs

CURRICULUM

Major Course of Study Requirements

A student must complete 33 semester hours, which must include HBIO 111-112 and their corequisite laboratory courses, HBIO 251, and HBIO 425. The remaining 21 semester hours may be taken from the following elective courses: HBIO 110, 199, 201, 213, 220, 240, 260, 312, 315, 316, 317, 320, 321-322, 330, 340, 350, 381-382, 391-393, 425, 427, 450, 451, 461, 471, 477, or 497. Also included among these 33 hours are three one semester-hour laboratory courses beyond HBIO 111-112 General Biology. Each of these three laboratory courses must be taken concurrently with their associated lecture course.

In addition to the listings already described, the following cognate courses must also be completed successfully: HCHE 111-112; HCHE 231; HMTH 161 and one additional mathematics course (either HMTH 130 or 162); and one physics course (either HPHY 151 or 154). With prior approval of the academic program director for biology, as many as two biology elective courses may be taken from other departments or at other institutions during the academic year or summer.

 
General Education (Core)
33-48 hours

Refer to the general education requirements for more information.

Biology Major
12 hours
  • HBIO 111—
    General Biology I with Lab
  • HBIO 112—
  • General Biology II with Lab
  • HBIO 251— Cell Biology
  • HBIO 425— Senior Seminar
Biology Electives
21 hours

Choose six lecture courses and three labs from the list below:

  • HBIO 220— Plant Sciences Lab
  • HBIO 312— Genetics Lab
  • HBIO 316— Physiology Lab
  • HBIO 320— Ecology Lab
  • HBIO 315— Biochemistry Lab
  • HBIO 317— Neurobiology Lab
  • HBIO 497— Environmental Studies Lab
  • HBIO 110— Phage Hunters
  • HBIO 199— Interdisciplinary Research
  • HBIO 240— Intro to Public Health
  • HBIO 260— Ethnobotany
  • HBIO 318— Microarray Analysis
  • HBIO 321-322— Special Topics
  • HBIO 330— Epidemiology
  • HBIO 340— Biostatistics
  • HBIO 350— Bioinformatics
  • HBIO 381-382— Biological Research
  • HBIO 391-393— Research Collaboration
  • HBIO 450— Public Health Practicum

Cognate Courses

Chemistry

  • HCHE 111— General Chemistry I with Lab
  • HCHE 112— General Chemistry II with Lab
  • HCHE 231— Organic Chemistry I with Lab

Mathematics

  • HMAT 161— Calculus I
  • HMAT 162— Calculus II or HMAT 130— Statistics

Physics

  • HPHY 151— Physics I with Lab or HPHY 154— Physics with Lab

Students applying to medical school must complete one year of organic chemistry and one year of physics.

BIOLOGY FACULTY

Hendrickson, Triscia W.

• Professor
• Associate Provost for Research & Student Training
• B.S., University of the Virgin Islands;
• Ph.D., Emory University
triscia.hendrickson@morehouse.edu

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Vereen, Ethell

• Assistant Professor
• B.S., South Carolina State University
• M.S., Ph.D., University of Georgia
CHEMISTRY
Brian
ethell.vereen@morehouse.edu

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