Majors and Minors

Requirements for Major

• Eight units in biology, of which at least six must include a laboratory.
  Biol 195: Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity
  Biol 210: Cell and Molecular Biology (requires Chemistry 121 as a prerequisite or corequisite).
  
  At least one course from each of the following three lists:

• Two units of chemistry unless a substitution is approved in advance by the staff. The biology faculty strongly recommends that Chemistry 121 and Chemistry 211 be taken to satisfy this requirement. Chemistry 101, 107 and 200 do not fulfill this requirement.
  Further study in chemistry, physics, geology and mathematics is recommended and encouraged.
• All biology courses and cognate courses must be taken for a numerical grade, except those offered only on a credit/no credit basis.
• No more than one unit of internship credit (391, 392) can count toward the major. No more than one unit of seminar (401, 402) and no more than one unit of directed study (411, 412) credit can count toward the major.
• Neither Biology 111 nor Biology 190 (given only for AP credit) can count toward the major.
• A senior examination must be taken for assessment purposes.
• It is expected that six of the eight units in biology be taken at Albion College. Other arrangements will be made for bona fide transfer students and students in approved off-campus programs.

Information on Minors

• The minor in cell and molecular biology and the minor in environmental biology are not open to biology majors.
• Students may not choose more than one minor in the Biology Department.
• All courses for a biology minor must be taken for a numerical grade, except those offered only on a credit/no credit basis.
• Neither Biology 111 nor Biology 190 (given only for AP credit) can count toward any minor in biology.
• A senior examination must be taken for assessment purposes.

Requirements for Minor in Cell and Molecular Biology

• Five units in biology, including the following: Biology 195, 210 (requires Chemistry 121 as prerequisite or corequisite) Any three of the following, of which at least two must include a laboratory: 301, 317, 321, 324, 332, 337 (may be taken as Chemistry 337), 341, 362, 365, 367

Requirements for Minor in Environmental Biology

• Five units in biology, including the following:
  Biology 195
  Four of the following, including:
  At least two from 215, 216, 225, 227, 248
  At least one from 206, 210 (requires Chemistry 121 as prerequisite or co-
  requisite), 237, 365, 368 (365 and 368 require Biology 210 as prerequisite)

Requirements for Interdisciplinary Major in Integrated Science with Elementary Education Certification

Students interested in pursuing elementary education certification may wish to consider an interdisciplinary major in integrated science. The integrated science major is primarily intended for students seeking a broad, cross-disciplinary understanding of the natural sciences. Students completing a major in integrated science are required to take courses in all the natural sciences and also to choose a minor in biology, chemistry, geology or physics. The detailed requirements for the major are provided in this catalog or are available from the Education Department.

Requirements for Major with Secondary Education Certification

• Eight units in biology, including the following: 195, 210; one unit (200-level or higher) "animal" course; one unit (200-level or higher) "plant" course. Of the latter two courses, one must be from List I. In addition, one unit in the major must be from List II. At least six of these courses must include a laboratory.
• Two units in chemistry unless a substitution is approved in advance by the staff. The biology faculty strongly recommends that Chemistry 121 and Chemistry 211 be taken to satisfy this requirement. Chemistry 101, 107, and 200 do not fulfill this requirement.
• One unit chosen from the following laboratory cognates: Geology 101 (lab required), 103 (lab required), Physics 115 (lab required).
• Completion of all other requirements for teacher certification. Students will design their program of study in consultation with the biology faculty and must obtain written approval of the Biology Department chair, preferably no later than the beginning of the second semester of the junior year.

Requirements for Minor with Secondary Education Certification

• Five units in biology, including the following:
  Biology 195, 210 (requires Chemistry 121 as prerequisite)
  One of the following: 215, 216
  One of the following: 225, 227, 248, 314
  One unit (200-level or higher, with laboratory) selected in consultation with the biology
  faculty and with written approval of the Biology Department chair.
• Completion of all other requirements for teacher certification.