This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2023-24.
The Department of Biology offers a major program designed to provide students with a common conceptual foundation through two required courses and an opportunity to pursue breadth and specialization through an extensive selection of elective course offerings, seminars, and research tutorials. Questions about requirements may be directed to the department chair.
Major Requirements
The major program consists of the following requirements:
Required Biology Courses
- BIOL 181 - Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity and BIOL 181L
-
BIOL 182 - Molecules, Cells, and Genes
and BIOL 182L
Both courses and their credit bearing laboratory components must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
Required Chemistry Courses
General Chemistry sequence:
- CHEM 101 - General Chemistry I and CHEM 101L
-
CHEM 102 - General Chemistry II
and CHEM 102L
or, if eligible, the following course may be substituted for the above sequence: -
CHEM 111 - Chemical Principles and CHEM 111L
Process of Biology
One course with lab from the following list:
- BIOL 201 - Evolution and BIOL 201L
- BIOL 202 - Genetics and BIOL 202L
- BIOL 203 - Ecology and BIOL 203L
- BIOL 204 - Molecular Biology and BIOL 204L
- BIOL 205 - Cell Biology and BIOL 205L
- BIOL 206 - Organismal Biology and BIOL 206L
Five Electives
- One elective can be at any level.
- The four remaining electives must be numbered 300 or higher and two must have a lab component.
- Research-based courses numbered 470 or higher may not count as electives toward the major.
- GEOL 215 also serves as an elective biology course.
Research Tutorial Experience
- A one-credit research experience, normally satisfied with a research tutorial (a course numbered BIOL 470-490).
- Research on the Bethesda Biomedical Research study group (BIOL 393 and BIOL 493) may be used to satisfy this requirement.
- UROPS courses taken at the National University of Singapore (NUS) may be used to satisfy this requirement.
- With prior approval by the biology department, a senior-level independent study course or capstone experience in another department may be used to fulfill the research requirement.
Honors and High Honors
Students interested in pursuing honors can find the additional requirements on the Biology department page.
Biology Department
For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the Biology department catalog page.