Requirements

Biology Major

Students majoring in biology can meet their major requirements by completing either the Integrative Biology concentration, the Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology concentration, or the Molecular and Cellular Biology concentration. Each concentration consists of twelve courses, including at least eight courses in the department, exclusive of independent study or honors projects and courses below 1100.

Integrative Biology Concentration

a

Courses listed in more than one group may not be double-counted between groups.

b

Two of the elective courses must be numbered higher than 2499.

Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology Concentration 

Molecular and Cellular Biology Concentration

d

Courses listed in more than one requirement may not be double-counted between requirements.

Biology Minor

The minor consists of five courses within the department, exclusive of independent study and courses below the 1100 level.

e

To focus on integrative biology, take one course from two different core groups of the Integrative Biology core course group list.

f

To focus on ecology, evolution, and marine biology, take two courses from the Foundation in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology requirement list.

g

To focus on molecular and cellular biology, take two courses from the Foundation in Molecular and Cellular Biology requirement list.

Additional Information and Department Policies

Students are advised to complete BIOL 1102 Biological Principles II or BIOL 1109 Scientific Reasoning in Biology and courses in chemistry for the major by the end of the sophomore year. Students planning postgraduate education in science or the health professions should note that graduate and professional schools may have additional admissions requirements in chemistry, mathematics, and physics. It is strongly advised that students consult with faculty on the design of their major and discuss the options of research projects through independent studies, fellowship-funded summer research, and honors projects. Students planning careers in the health professions should contact Valerie Bennett, director of health professions advising.

The biology department participates in the biochemistry, environmental studies, and neuroscience programs. Students majoring or minoring in biology may not also major in biochemistry or neuroscience.

With departmental approval, students are allowed to count courses taken at a different college or university toward the major. Normally no more than two transfer credits can be applied to the biology major and no more than one transfer credit can be applied to the biology minor. 

Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credits may not be used to fulfill any of the course requirements for the major. Students who have placed out of introductory biology can replace this course with any additional Biology course above 1999.

A minimum of twelve courses from among the required and elective Biology courses must be completed for the major. Students placing out of introductory Biology or Introductory Chemistry must still complete a minimum of twelve courses related to Biology.

Up to two courses for the biology major or minor may be double-counted in a second department or program. Up to three courses at any level may be double-counted with the environmental studies coordinate major.

Grade Requirements

Only one D grade is allowed in courses required for the major or minor. This D must be offset by a grade of B or higher in another course also required for the major or minor. Courses that count toward the major or minor must be taken for regular letter grades (not Credit/D/Fail).

Information for Incoming Students

Most students interested in exploring biology at Bowdoin start by taking either BIOL 1101 Biological Principles I or BIOL 1109 Scientific Reasoning in Biology. BIOL 1101 Biological Principles I is the first of a two-semester introductory biology sequence.  Each year BIOL 1101 Biological Principles I is offered in the fall semester and BIOL 1102 Biological Principles II is offered in the spring semester, allowing students to explore 2000-level biology courses in the following year. BIOL 1109 Scientific Reasoning in Biology is a one-semester introductory biology course that prepares students to explore 2000-level courses in subsequent semesters. BIOL 1109 Scientific Reasoning in Biology is offered every semester.

Incoming first-year students who complete the biology placement exam and the quantitative reasoning (QR) exam receive one of the four recommendations below:

• Enroll in BIOL 1101 Biological Principles I
• Contact the biology department chair to discuss placement (this category is reserved for those on the boundary of a recommendation of BIOL 1101 Biological Principles I or BIOL 1109 Scientific Reasoning in Biology)
• Enroll in BIOL 1109 Scientific Reasoning in Biology
• Enroll in a 2000-level biology course (a small number of students receive this placement; students seeking this placement should contact the biology department chair)

Incoming first-year students should take the biology placement and QR exams in the summer prior to matriculation.  AP/IB scores are considered in combination with information from biology placement and QR exams in recommending placements. A placement recommendation is required for a student to request a biology course numbered above 1099 during course registration.

If a student did not complete these exams in the summer prior to matriculation but wishes to enroll in a biology department course, they should complete the biology placement test immediately and inform the biology department chair once completed so that a recommendation can be made for them.