Department of BiologyThe study of the structure and function of organisms is central to our understanding of biology. The traditional disciplines of anatomy and physiology serve as the hub of modern integrative biology, with engagement in cell & molecular biology, evolutionary biology, behavior and ecology. The study of biomechanics also integrates an understanding of physics and engineering, particularly dynamics and statics, as it applies to the problems of organismal structure and function.
Students intending to attend graduate school are strongly encouraged to undertake an extended research project (multiple semesters) in the area of anatomy, physiology or biomechanics.
Students fulfilling the requirements of the Concentration in Anatomy, Physiology and Biomechanics will receive a note on their official transcript certifying successful completion of the concentration.
Area Advisors
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Dr. Sönke Johnsen, Department of Biology Dr. Sheila Patek, Department of Biology |
Biology: Sönke Johnsen, Dan Kiehart, Fred Nijhout, Steve Nowicki, Sheila Patek, Dan Rittschof, Louise Roth, Kathleen Smith and Anne Yoder Evolutionary Anthropology: Richard Kay, Daniel Schmidt, Christine Wall, Blythe Williams
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Pre/Corequisites
Chemistry
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NOTE: CHEM 210DL and CHEM 202L are recommended for pre-med, pre-vet, biochem and pharm students.
Math
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Physics
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NOTE: PHYSICS 122L/142L is recommended for pre-med, pre-vet, biochem and pharm students.
Biology Major Requirements (minimum 10 courses)
The following courses are required for students pursuing both the B.S. and B.A. biology credentials.
Gateway Courses (2 or 1 courses)
The gateways are not sequenced and can be taken in either order.
- BIOLOGY 201L Molecular Biology (prerequisite: Chem 101D or equivalent)
- BIOLOGY 202L Genetics & Evolution
OR
- BIOLOGY 203L Molecular Biology, Genetics & Evolution (prerequisite: Biology AP 5 and Chem 101D or equivalent)
Biology Area Requirements (3 courses)
Select 1 course from EACH of the following three areas. Courses listed in more than one area may only be used to meet one area requirement.
- 1 course - Organismal Diversity
- 1 course - Biological Structure & Function
- 1 course - Ecology
Electives (5 or 6 courses)
A maximum of 2 independent studies or tutorials may count toward the major.
- 3 courses in Biology at the 200-level or above
- 2 biology elective or approved alternate elective courses (if using Bio 201L & 202L) OR 3 biology elective or approved alternate elective courses (if using Bio 203L)
Anatomy, Physiology, & Biomechanics Area Course Requirements
*From among the courses taken for the Biology area requirements and electives, at least 4 courses must taken from the following list.
*One of the 4 courses must be at the Capstone/400-level or above and be listed or cross-listed in Biology. This may include a second semester of independent study in a project approved by the area advisor (max of 1 Ind Study can count towards the 4 courses).
*A maximum of 2 approved alternate electives may be applied to the concentration.
- BIOLOGY 213D Cell Signaling and Diseases
- BIOLOGY 223 Cell and Molecular Neuorobiology
- BIOLOGY 224 Fundamentals of Neuroscience (B)
- BIOLOGY 268(D) Mechanisms of Animal Behavior
- BIOLOGY 278LA Physiology of Marine Animals
- BIOLOGY 321(D) Primate Sexuality
- BIOLOGY 329D / 329L Principles of Animal Physiology
- BIOLOGY 348LS Herpetology
- BIOLOGY 373LA Sensory Physiology and Behavior of Marine Animals
- BIOLOGY 377LA Biodiversity of Marine Invertebrates
- BIOLOGY 412S Sensory Signal Transduction
- BIOLOGY 415S Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Colloquium
- BIOLOGY 424S Cell Shape(s) and Dynamics
- BIOLOGY 427S Current Topics in Sensory Biology
- BIOLOGY 429S How Organisms Move
- BIOLOGY 454S Physiological Genetics of Disease
- BIOLOGY 490S Sp 2022 Lipids, Metabolism & Disease (Loh)
- BIOLOGY 490S Sp 2023 Extremophile Metabolisms
- BIOLOGY 490S Other Special Topics as approved by concentration area advisor
- BIOLOGY 293/493 Research Independent Study as approved by concentration area advisor
- BIOLOGY 515 Immunology
- BIOLOGY 518S Natural Neurotoxins
- BIOLOGY 547L Entomology
- BIOLOGY 566S Plant Ecophysiology
- BIOLOGY 590S Fall'22, Evolutionary Biomechanics
- Cell Bio 451 (summer course)
- BME 244L Quantitative Physiology
- EVANTH 235L Primate Anatomy
- EVANTH 330 Human Anatomy and Physiology
- EVANTH 333L The Human Body
- EVANTH 334L Human Osteology
- EVANTH 530 Human Functional Anatomy (doesn't count for BIO 400-level req)
- EVANTH 537S Orthopedic Bioomechanics/Kinesiology (doesn't count for BIO 400-level req)
- Other courses as approved by the area advisor
Not currently being offered:
BIOLOGY 490S Sp 2019 Evolutionary Developmental Bio (Liao/Roston)
BIOLOGY 490S Sp 2021 Animal Defense (Harrison)
EVANTH 236L Primate Skeleton
PSY 684S Hormones, Brain and Cognition (doesn't count for BIO 400-level req)
Lab Experience Requirement
Through the area menu and elective courses, you must take at least 2 full lab courses in addition to the gateway courses. Courses must be at the 200 level or above. A maximum of 1 independent study may count as a lab course.
Capstone Course Requirement
You must take at least 1 full 400-level or higher biology 'Capstone' course from the list of courses above approved for the concentration. Independent study can count towards this requirement if it is a second semester continuation.