|
Students take a variety of required and elective
courses in biology, other sciences, and in the Core Curriculum. Please refer to
the links above for more detailed descriptions. See especially Course
Requirements (lists biology courses), Other science requirements
(lists chemistry, mathematics, and physics courses), and the Core Curriculum
requirements.
Total Biology Credits
At least 36 credits in Biology courses numbered 2000 or higher. In addition to
the requirements included in the list above, most students also will have to take
3-4 additional credits in biology. Options for earning these credits-besides
taking more than the minimum number of upper-level lab courses-include lecture-only
courses (3000-level or above), directed research (independent study) courses, senior
thesis research, internships, summer field courses, or international study.
The Core Curriculum
See Villanova University Catalog or
The Core
Curriculum for details
Summary
- Core Humanities Seminar: 2 courses
- College Ethics: 1 course
- Fine Arts: 1 course
- Foreign Language: 2 courses at the intermediate level or beyond
- History: 2 courses, 1 introductory and 1 advanced
- Literature: 2 courses, 1 introductory and 1 advanced
- Mathematics: 1 course
- Mathematics/Computer Science: 1 course
- Philosophy: 2 courses, 1 introductory and 1 advanced
- Theology & Religious Studies: 2 courses, 1 introductory and 1 advanced
- Social Sciences: 3 courses, 2 introductory and 1 advanced
- Natural Sciences: 2 courses with labs
Core course requirements in the Natural Sciences and in Mathematics are satisfied
by the two semesters of General Biology and two semesters of Calculus required for
the biology major. Biology majors must fulfill the special Writing Requirements
for Biology majors detailed above. All other Core Curriculum requirements must be
fulfilled as stated in the Enchiridion. These include certain distribution requirements
(introductory/advanced course pairings; U.S. Culture/Women’s Studies/International
Culture diversity courses; Research requirement). In many instances, courses taken
to fulfill these additional requirements may also fulfill other core, major, or
elective requirements. Consult the Enchiridion or your advisor for more explanation
or questions about specific requirements.
Writing Requirement for Biology Majors
(only!)
To fulfill the College of Arts & Sciences Core Curriculum writing requirements,
all Biology Majors must complete:
- At least two (2) Biology courses numbered 3000 or higher that have been
designated as Writing Enriched and
- Senior Seminar (
BIO 5100
)
Other Science Requirements
- Two semesters of inorganic chemistry (
CHM 1151
/
CHM 1152
)
with laboratory (
CHM 1103
/
CHM 1104
)
- Two semesters of organic chemistry (
CHM 2211
/
CHM 2212
)
with laboratory (
CHM 2201
/
CHM 2202
).
- Two semesters of calculus (
MAT 1310
/
MAT 1310
).
Though currently not required for the Biology major, statistics is also highly
recommended, and is a prerequisite for some graduate and professional programs
(e.g., Physical Therapy). Confer with your advisor for additional information
and course recommendations.
- Two semesters of physics (
PHY 1100
/
PHY 1102
)
with laboratory (
PHY 1101
/
PHY 1103
).
Minors & Concentrations
Of the many programs within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, several are
likely to be of special interest to Biology majors. The links below provide additional
information about some of these programs. Contact your academic advisor about the
advisability and mechanics of completing any of these (or other) minors and concentrations
as a supplement to the Biology major.
Integrity in Biology
Biology majors should be particularly aware that in science, even more is at
stake than the philosophy behind the Code outlined above–because honesty is essential
in scientific practice. In many scientific activities, only the individual investigator
knows exactly what was done, what was observed, or which ideas were truly original.
Unless each scientist abides by a strict code of ethical conduct, the scientific
process will unravel in a destructive spiral of diminished effectiveness and relevance.
If scientists can’t trust each other to report methods, results, and ideas honestly,
how can the general public have any confidence in our findings and conclusions?
For all the reasons reviewed above, members of the Department of Biology place
great importance on academic and scientific integrity. Consequently, we expect each
student to adhere strictly to the Code in every facet of all biology courses and
all related activities. Students who have violated the Code in biology courses in
the recent past have, unfortunately, been disciplined severely–even in situations
where the penalties resulted in delay of graduation.
|
