The biology curriculum at Hillsdale College is aimed at providing a broad foundation in the biological sciences for subsequent specialized training in graduate or professional schools, for a career in teaching, or as a liberal arts background for a career in industry.
The biology curriculum affords students an opportunity to view biology in its historic perspective and provides a basic understanding of the dynamic aspects of life processes: growth, structure, function and adaptation in the myriad forms of living organisms, and their evolution.
With this beginning, the student may pursue graduate or professional studies in the life sciences, or may opt for a career immediately upon graduation.
Requirements
Note: This represents a general overview of the major and minor. For more information, please consult the current college catalog, or contact the department.
Biology Major
A minimum of 32 hours in biology courses at or above the 200 level is required for a major in biology. Courses required for all majors include:
- Biology 200: Cellular and Molecular Biology
- Biology 201: Evolution & Biological Diversity
- Biology 250: General Ecology
- Biology 287: Scientific Writing Seminar
- Biology 309: Genetics
- Biology 340: Biostatistics
- Biology 590: Junior Seminar
- Biology 592: Junior Research
- Biology 591: Senior Seminar
- Biology 593: Senior Thesis or Biology 594: Biology Honors Thesis
In addition, biology majors must take at least one course from each of the following three categories:
Advanced core in cellular biology/molecular biology/genetics
- Biology 302: Developmental Biology
- Biology 306: Plant Physiology
- Biology 320: Advanced Cell Biology
- Biology 360: Microbiology
- Biology 365: Advanced Microbiology
- Biology 430: Molecular Biology
- Biology 450: Immunology, or
- Biology 460: Virology
Advanced core in organismal biology
- Biology 302: Developmental Biology
- Biology 303: Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
- Biology 304: Animal Physiology
- Biology 305: Plant Anatomy
- Biology 308: Human Physiology and Anatomy I
- Biology 315: Michigan Flora
- Biology 325: Histology
- Biology 370: Entomology
- Biology 383: Mammalogy
- Biology 390: Animal Parasitology
- Biology 408: Human Physiology and Anatomy II
- Biology 470: Cognitive Neuroscience
Advanced core in evolution and ecology
- Biology 307: Plant Ecology
- Biology 311: Methods in Field Biology
- Biology 318: Historical Geology
- Biology 350: Conservation
- Biology 364: Freshwater Biology
- Biology 368: Marine Biology
- Biology 380: Animal Behavior
- Biology 405: Population Genetics
Biology majors must register or receive credit for Mathematics 120 or 112/113, and five additional cognate courses chosen from:
- Chemistry 201: General Chemistry I
- Chemistry 202: General Chemistry II
- Chemistry 303: Organic Chemistry I
- Chemistry 304: Organic Chemistry II
- Physics 101: College Physics I
- Physics 102: College Physics II
- Physics 201: University Physics I
- Physics 202: University Physics II
- Mathematics 220: Calculus II
- Mathematics 310: Linear Algebra
- Mathematics 320: Multivariable Calculus
During the junior and senior years, biology majors must design, conduct, write, and publicly defend a research thesis. Senior biology majors must also complete a comprehensive biology examination.
Biology Minor
A minor in biology consists of Biology 200 and 201, plus additional hours in biology (excluding BIO 101) to comprise a minimum of 20 hours in the discipline.