Biology B.S. - Integrative Biology
Chair: Associate Professor L. Niedziela
This concentration emphasizes the belief that the study of biological systems is best approached by incorporating a diversity of perspectives. The focus is on structure and function in the evolution of diverse biological systems, including: organismal morphology and physiology, development, animal behavior, genetics, ecology and evolution of life. The goal is to provide a broad training to help students be successful in our complex interdisciplinary world. This concentration is also appropriate for those students with a general interest in biology. Students in this concentration will be well prepared to enter graduate programs in almost any discipline of biology or to enter the professional world as: organismal biologists, field biologists, conservation biologists, ecologists, or professionals at zoological parks, museums or botanical gardens.
A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology with a concentration in Integrative Biology requires the completion of the Elon Core Curriculum as well as the Major Requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
Required Courses:
In addition, a required experiential component selected from one of the following:
(a) internship (BIO 4985)
(b) research under the direction of BIO faculty member (BIO 4999 or HNR 4998)
Select 28 semester hours of 2000-4000 level biology electives from the following list:
Four semester hours must be completed from the Biological Breadth concentration elective list below
Biological Breadth electives:
- Four of these hours in the Integrative Elective category can be any 2000-4000 level biology elective (ie. a wildcard) that is not counting elsewhere in the major, or PHY 2020.
- Students may count up to 4 hours of BIO 4999 towards their electives if the level of biological content covered is deemed equivalent to an elective course (requires chair review)
- Students may count up to 8 semester hours from non-lab BIO courses at the 3000-4000 level.
- Students cannot count more than one 2000-3000 level course of the same topic toward elective credits. Topics in question are Biochemistry (BIO 3210, BIO 3200, CHM 3510), Anatomy (BIO 2312, BIO 3312), Microbiology (BIO 2122, BIO 3122), and Physiology (BIO 2412, BIO 3412).
Program Outcomes
Students completing the biology program will be well rounded and knowledgeable in the major areas of biology.
They will:
a. Recognize the basic structure of the cells as the basic units of all living organisms and as building block of multi-cellular organisms
b. Explain the processes and patterns of biological evolution and support its role as the central unifying concept of biology.
c. Discuss the scope of biological diversity and the genealogical relationships among major groups of organisms.
d. Apply the principles of genetics from molecular mechanisms to population consequences to real world examples.
e. Relate form and function in biology as expressed in molecular, cellular and whole- organism physiology
f. Predict the interactions of organisms and their environment and the consequences of these in natural populations, communities and ecosystems.
Students completing the biology program will apply the scientific approach or way of knowing to answer biological questions and solve problems.
They will:
a. Formulate testable research hypotheses and choose appropriate experimental design to test hypotheses
b. Collect, analyze, interpret and report data using appropriate statistical analysis.
c. Interpret data correctly and clearly display results in support of reasonable conclusions.
d. Acquire laboratory skills and field techniques using appropriate equipment and instrumentation
e. Utilize computers for simulations, data acquisition, and quantitative/statistical analysis
Students Students completing the biology program will be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing using a variety of techniques appropriately chosen for material to be presented and audience.
They will:
a. Find, access, and critically evaluate primary literature.
b. Present biological information orally and visually via posters and formal and informal oral presentations.
c. Write effectively using professional scientific writing formats appropriate to purpose (WEI outcome)
d. Use CSE style accurately in scientific writing.
Students completing the biology program will be able to synthesize and integrate information from the various areas of biology to obtain a progressively more complete picture of the complexity and reality of biological systems.
They will:
a. Appreciate the history, limitations, and controversy of biological concepts
b. Understand the contributions of biology to the resolution of ethical, social and environmental issues in human affairs.
c. Integrate and synthesize biological knowledge to understand the complexity and reality of biological systems.
Total Credit Hours: 66