Modern biology has evolved from its origins in natural history into one of the most complex, most rapidly changing, and most exciting of all the sciences. Biology today encompasses not only such traditional areas as anatomy and taxonomy, but also molecular genetics, immunochemistry, and sociobiology. Because today’s biologist must have an awareness of current developments in addition to a sound foundation in basic principles, Sweet Briar’s biology program emphasizes the application of new experimental discoveries to the fundamental questions of cellular, organismal, and population biology. A student who elects biology as her major subject may earn either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree.
The Biology Major (B. A.)
The Biology Major (B.S.)
The Biology Minor
Teacher Licensure
Course Descriptions
The Biology Major (B. A.)
(36 semester hours)
Required:
BIOL 111 (4) Introduction to Organisms
BIOL 112 (3) Introduction to Cells
BIOL 113 (1) Introductory Laboratory Techniques
Senior Exercise
Choose 1 of the following:
BIOL 450 (1) Senior Exercise
Choose 27 additional semester hours in biology, including at least 10 semester hours at the 300-level or above (excluding BIOL 377), and an additional 14 semester hours at the 200-level or above. A maximum of 3 semester hours of BIOL 377 may be counted towards the major. BIOL 104 may be counted towards the major if it is taken as a first-year student or a sophomore.
NOTES: In consultation with their advisor, students are expected to select courses which provide them with breadth in biology, covering the areas of cellular and molecular, animal, plant, and population biology. It is strongly recommended that students also take at least one course in the physical or environmental sciences.
At least 20 semester hours of coursework applied towards the major must taken at Sweet Briar College.
The Biology Major (B.S.)
(62-63 semester hours)
Required:
BIOL 111 (4) Introduction to Organisms
BIOL 112 (3) Introduction to Cells
BIOL 113 (1) Introductory Laboratory Techniques
BIOL 205 (3) Genetics
BIOL 310 (4) Evolution
CHEM 131 (3) General Chemistry
CHEM 141 (1) General Chemistry Lab
CHEM 231 (3) Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 233 (1) Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
Senior Exercise:
BIOL 351 (3) Independent Research
Choose 1 of the following:
MATH 205 (3) Applied Statistics
PSYC 219 (4) Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
Choose 21 additional semester hours in biology, including at least 7 semester hours at the 300-level or above (excluding BIOL 377), and an additional 11 semester hours at the 200-level or above. A maximum of 3 semester hours of BIOL 377 may be counted towards the major.
Choose 12 additional semester hours in biology, chemistry (except CHEM 119, 120, 125), computer science, engineering, mathematics (except MATH 106, 113, 211, 213), physics (except PHYS 103, 113, 114), psychology, or from the following courses in environmental studies: ENVR 143, 203, 244, 309, 316, 322, 416, and 433). Eight of these 12 credits must be in departments other than biology and chemistry.
NOTES: The BIOL 351 option for the senior exercise may be satisfied by completion of Sweet Briar Summer Honors Research with a biology faculty member between the junior and senior year, or by participation in an approved NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates in a biological discipline between the junior and senior year.
At least 20 semester hours of coursework applied towards the major must taken at Sweet Briar College.
The Biology Minor
(18 semester hours)
Required:
BIOL 111 (4) Introduction to Organisms
BIOL 112 (3) Introduction to Cells
BIOL 113 (1) Introductory Laboratory Techniques
Choose 10 additional semester hours in biology at the 200-level or above.
NOTES: No more than three credit hours of directed, special, or independent study may be applied toward the minor. Internship credits may not be applied toward the minor.
At least 9 semester hours of coursework applied towards the minor must be taken at Sweet Briar College.
Teacher Licensure
Required:
1. A bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree in biology
2. Complete each of the following:
- one course in plant biology (BIOL 104, BIOL 214, or BIOL 301)
- genetics (BIOL 205)
- ecology (BIOL 324)
- two courses in zoology, and/or anatomy and physiology (any two of BIOL 216, BIOL 230, BIOL 247, or BIOL 326)
- evolution (BIOL 310)
- four courses in chemistry (CHEM 131, CHEM 141, CHEM 231, and CHEM 232)
- physics (PHYS 171)
- earth science (ENVR 143)
- one course in mathematics or statistics (MATH 106, MATH 123, MATH 124, MATH 205, or PSYC 219
Students who seek endorsement in more than one area of science need to complete an additional 18 credit hours in the second field which must include any specific requirements in that field.
Course Descriptions
