Major Requirements

As of Block 1, 2011, there are two ways to complete the new Biology Major; students enrolled prior to fall 2011 may also still utilize the requirement for the former Biology major (See below).

All students enrolling for the first time as of fall 2011 must follow the requirements for the new major and declare one of the two tracks.  The first option is the Organisms, Ecology, and Evolution (OEE) track, and the second option is the Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) track.  Both tracks are appropriate for students considering a variety of careers from education to medicine; talk to your advisor to sort out which track will work best for you. Some “old” courses will no longer be offered, however, and the new substitutes for those courses are clearly indicated in the appendix of the Majors' Handbook. For example, BY210 will no longer be offered, so students completing the old major must A) have completed BY210 with a C- or higher before the Fall of 2011 or B) earn a C- or higher in BY131.  Similarly, BY361 has been replaced with BY231

The two Biology Major tracks share many courses in common.  A first-year student embarking upon a Biology major is advised to enroll in courses that are common to both tracks.  Taking courses intended for entry-level students in both tracks will help you meet faculty and students who will help you decide which track is best for you.

• Students should declare the Biology major before the end of the sophomore year (but there are no restrictions on declaring earlier).  To declare the major, you need a faculty advisor in the Biology department with whom you confer before declaring.  See checklist of important items, Appendix I in the Majors' Handbook.

• Each fall a REQUIRED meeting of all prospective and declared majors will be announced in Block 1 or 2.  Topics will include:

• Introduction of new faculty and staff.
• Discussion of graduation requirements including the required seminar abstracts, senior exams, and optional graduation with distinction or senior thesis.
• Discussion of graduate school applications and employment opportunities in biology.
• Other important announcements.

• Students enrolling at CC in Block 1 of 2011-12 or later MUST choose the new Biology major with one of two tracks: Organisms, Ecology, and Evolution (OEE) or Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB).  The tracks have many courses in common, so first-year and sophomore students who have not decided on one track or the other should enroll in courses that count toward both tracks.  Use the checklists in Appendix I of the Majors' Handbook to track your progress in the major.  Ultimately, it is your responsibility to know all departmental and college requirements and regulations. 

• Students who declared the Biology major prior to Block 1 of 2011-12 may complete the “old” Biology major rather than specializing in one track or the other.  See checklist, Appendix I Majors' Handbook.

• All Biology majors (OEE, MCB, “old”) must complete the senior capstone experience.  The senior capstone experiences have several components including attendance at departmental seminars, written abstracts describing seminars attended, and successfully passing the Biology ETS or GRE subject exam (see details in the “Senior Capstone Experience” section).  The GRE exam must be taken in November or December, while the ETS exam is offered early in Blocks 3 and 6.  It is best to take the ETS exam during Block 3, in case you do not pass and therefore have to take it a second time in Block 6.

• Biology majors have the option of writing a senior thesis and attempting to graduate with distinction (see details in the Majors' Handbook).  Read the handbook in detail to make sure that you complete all requirements on time if you are attempting to graduate with distinction.  There are many assignments that students pursuing distinction must complete on time, such as registering for a senior thesis by the end of Block 2 of the senior year. Appendix VIII in the Majors' Handbook contains a checklist for those attempting to graduate with distinction.

• Majors should also attend Biology Day each spring (see Biology Day section).