Biology

Major & Minor Requirements

At Carthage, students can major in biology, minor in biology, and earn a teaching licensure in biology. The department also offers several courses designed to serve students with a general interest in biology but no plans to major in the subject. Click here to see a list of those general biology courses.

The biology curriculum prepares students for graduate study and entry into medical, veterinary, dental, physical therapy and other professional schools. In addition, graduates may pursue careers in secondary education, academic and industrial research, quality assurance, forensic science, and a variety of not-for-profit and governmental environmental and conservation areas.

The Biology Major
The Biology Minor
Teaching Licensure
Senior Thesis in Biology
Honors in the Major
Courses for Non-Majors

Please note: Current students should follow the printed version of the College Catalog, and work with their advisors and the department chair to ensure all requirements are met.

The Biology Major

Biology majors select a sequence of courses that will acquaint them with the structure, function, development, genetics, and molecular biology of a variety of organisms: viruses, bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals.

Students interested in a major in biology are strongly encouraged to begin their major with BIO 1100 or BIO 2300 and CHM 1010 or CHM 1020. BIO 1100 serves as an introduction to the fundamentals of biology as well as the prerequisite for the more specialized courses.

A major in biology consists of the following courses:

Core Courses:
BIO 1110  Biodiversity and Evolution (4 credits)
BIO 2200  Intro to Ecology (4 credits)
BIO 2300  Cell and Molecular Biology (4 credits)
BIO 2400  Genetics (4 credits)
BIO 4100  Experimental Design
BIO 4120  Senior Seminar (4 credits)

Elective Courses:
Four Biology elective courses numbered 3000 or above, or three courses in Biology numbered 3000 or above, and CHM 3010. Three of the four elective courses must be laboratory based courses.

Chemistry Courses:
CHM 1010  General Chemistry I
CHM 1020  General Chemistry II
CHM 2070  Organic Chemistry I
CHM 2080  Organic Chemistry II

In addition to standard courses, a student may elect to pursue an Independent Study (BIO 4500) or Research in Biology (BIO 4900) on a selected topic. The study may develop into a Senior Thesis and/or Honors in the Major.

The following courses will not count for credit toward a biology major: BIO 1010, BIO 1020, BIO 1030, BIO 1040, and BIO 200T.


Teaching Licensure

Students seeking teaching licensure in biology are advised to meet with the department chair of biology, a representative of the Education Department, and their advisor to ensure that all requirements for the appropriate state licensure are met.


The Biology Minor

A minor in Biology consists of six courses in biology, or five courses in biology plus CHM 3010.


Senior Thesis in Biology

The Senior Thesis is developed in consultation with the department faculty. Theses may include a scholarly manuscript of research performed or a detailed proposal for future research. Alternative projects may be approved by the faculty. In addition, students may be required to present their Senior Thesis in an oral presentation at a Division Colloquium, as a poster presented at a Division Poster Session, or to teach a class using the developed materials.


Honors in the Major

Honors in Biology requires a 3.5 GPA in Biology, honors contracts in two advanced courses in Biology, presentation of an outstanding Senior Thesis project to the public, satisfactory performance on an exam before the Biology faculty, and a formal recommendation from the Biology Department.


Courses for Non-Majors

The Biology Department also offers several courses designed to serve students with a general interest in biology but who do not plan to major in biology:

Academics at Carthage

Prospective Students

Freshman students get research experience in new phage genomics course

Stratford Theatre

Biology professor Deborah Tobiason selected to participate in Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science Education Alliance. She will teach a new course in phage genomics research starting in Fall 2011. Read more.

J-Term in Nicaragua

This annual trip allows Carthage students to explore the geography of Ometepe, and treat patients in the island's medical clinics. Watch the video.

Research Opportunities

Summer Undergraduate Research Experience leads to real world success. Read more.

Student Voices

"Carthage provides the unique opportunity to develop close relationships with your professors. I knew that I would be able to rely on my professors for help when I needed it and for challenges when I felt up to it."

— Adam Van Huis, '12, Winneconne, Wis.

Hear what students have to say about studying biology at Carthage.