Program Director: Natalie Coe, Ph.D.
Division of Sciences & Outdoor Learning
Programs offered:
BS in Biology
BA in Biology
BA in Biology with Secondary School Teacher Licensure
Minor in Biology
Minor in Biopsychology
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Biology
The Green Mountain College biology program provides students with a solid foundation in biology while promoting the development of written and oral communication skills, critical thinking, and the application of the scientific method. The program is designed to prepare students for a variety of post-baccalaureate opportunities: students explore career options, develop job searching skills and strategize for achieving desired careers as part of the curriculum.
Field and laboratory-based coursework and research provide opportunities to apply theory and develop laboratory and field skills. Nearby field sites include the Poultney River, which runs through our 155-acre campus, our 85-acre Lewis Deane Nature Preserve, the Lake Champlain and Hudson River watersheds, and the Taconic, Green, and Adirondack Mountains. Our well-equipped chemistry and molecular biology laboratories ensure that students gain proficiency in a variety of research techniques (many students are offered laboratory technician positions directly after graduation). The program gives students a deep understanding of our regional biology, which serves as a model for learning and understanding other systems.
With our focus on careers, we are able to place more than 40% of our graduates in post baccalaureate degree programs (M.D., Ph.D., M.S., and others) and of the remainder, more than 90% are in careers related to their biology major.
Learning Outcomes for Biology Majors
Through the Biology Core students will:
Understand the historical, philosophical, and social contexts of the practice of science
Develop hypotheses and apply the scientific method
Design and carry out an independent experiment
Perform introductory laboratory analyses
Explain and articulate introductory theories
Utilize library and electronic research resources
Develop a resume or curriculum vitae and demonstrate job interview skills
Upper-division courses require students to understand increasingly complex content. They advance students’ preparation for independent scientific inquiry with an increased emphasis on reading, researching, and writing skills. Through the upper division courses students will:
Develop depth of understanding in two theoretical areas of biology and communicate these complex theories through writing and orally
Understand the biodiversity and ecology of our bioregion
Evaluate and critique scientific primary literature and gauge the quality and appropriateness of source material
Complete an independent undergraduate research project
Perform advanced laboratory analyses
Health oriented careers (Pre-med, pre-vet, pre-dentistry, nursing, & others)
To assist students interested in health related careers, the department retains contacts with professionals in various fields through its pre-med advisory committee. This committee works with department members to assist students in positioning themselves for acceptance to the post baccalaureate institutions. Because admissions to veterinary and medical schools are so competitive, students are advised to identify such goals early in their academic careers and work with the pre-med advisor to obtain the optimal experiences and coursework necessary. The very active student run Pre-med Club, helps connect students with internships and volunteer opportunities.
Departmental Honors
The biology faculty may invite qualified and interested students during their junior year to consider writing an honors thesis in biology. Successful completion of the thesis will result in graduation with departmental honors in biology. The candidate’s grade point average must be a minimum of 3.3 overall and 3.5 in the major. Candidates for honors will form a committee of three faculty members, one of whom must be drawn from outside the Biology program. A faculty member within the program will chair the Honors Committee.
The name of each thesis candidate and the working title of the thesis must be submitted to the Program Chair by September 15 for May graduates and by April 15 for December graduates. The Honors thesis is presented publicly upon completion.
Common Requirements for BS/BA in Biology and BA with Secondary School Licensure
Biology Core:
| BIO 1034: From Fins to Fingers: Vertebrate Natural History and Evolution |
4 |
| Choose one of the following three courses: BIO 1035: Disease and Disorder: History, Humans, and Hope BIO 1036: Solar Powered Life: The Biology of Plants BIO 1037: The Four Seasons |
4 4 4 |
| BIO 1000: First Year Seminar* BIO 2025: Ecology BIO 2015: Cell Biology BIO 3005: Junior Seminar** BIO 4000: Senior Seminar BIO: 15 credits at the 3000-4000 level*** CHE 1021: General Chemistry I |
1 4 4 1 1 15 4 Credits: 38 |
| *Transfer students with more than 15 credits and students declaring the biology major after the first semester are exempt from BIO 1000. **Double majors in Biology and Environmental Studies may choose between BIO 3005 and ENV 3093. ***For this requirement, research courses (BIO 4053, 4099) are limited to 4 credits and BIO 4093 may not count. Independent research is strongly recommended for all degrees in Biology; students who are planning to attend graduate school or are pre-med/pre-vet should enroll in Physics I & II. Note: All students are required to complete 33 credits of upper-division work (3000-4000 level courses). |
| BIO CORE CHE 1022: General Chemistry II CHE 2021: Organic Chemistry I CHE 2022: Organic Chemistry II |
38 4 4 4 |
| Choose one of the following two courses: NRM 2020: Data Analysis and Modeling MAT 1015: Introduction to Statistics MAT 1031: Calculus I MAT 1032: Calculus II PHI 3009: Philosophy of Science |
3 3 3 3 3 Credits: 62 |
| General Electives Total electives vary depending on total of other credits. |
Credits: 22 |
| ELA Requirements See ELA section of this catalog for details. Biology majors are exempt from the Natural Systems category of Environmental Liberal Arts and may choose any ELA course in its place. |
Credits: 36 |
Requirements for BA in Biology
| BIO CORE Choose one of the following three courses: MAT 1031: Calculus I MAT 1015: Introduction to Statistics NRM 2020: Data Analysis and Modeling Choose one of the following two courses CHE 1022: General Chemistry II CHE 2021: Organic Chemistry I PHI 3009: Philosophy of Science |
38 3 3 3 4 4 3 Credits: 48 |
| General Electives Total General Electives may vary depending on total of other credits. |
Credits: 36 |
| ELA Requirements See ELA section of this catalog for details. Biology majors are exempt from the Natural Systems category of Environmental Liberal Arts and may choose any ELA course in its place (except Secondary Licensure, which requires ELA 1013 Environmental Science). |
Credits: 36 |
The Bachelor of Arts in Biology with Secondary School Teacher Licensure
This degree prepares students to be licensed to teach science (biology, physics, chemistry and earth/space science) in grades 7-12. In addition to completing the B.A. in Biology, students must complete the sequence of study and field experiences of the Secondary Education Program. During senior year students complete fifteen weeks of full-time student teaching at the 7-12 level. All student teaching must be done in the immediate area of the College.
Science Courses:
| BIO CORE BIO 2023: Human Anatomy Choose one of the following three courses: MAT 1031: Calculus I MAT 1015: Introduction to Statistics NRM 2020: Data Analysis and Modeling Choose one of the following two courses: CHE 1022: General Chemistry II CHE 2021: Organic Chemistry I |
38 4 3 3 3 4 4 Credits: 52 |
| EDU 1062: Teacher As Decision-Maker EDU 1200: Praxis (unless exempt) EDU 2018: Developmental Psychology II EDU 2019: The Exceptional Child EDU 2000: Field Experience EDU 3100: Observation Practicum EDU 2031: Secondary Education Methods I EDU 4012: Teaching Methods in Secondary Science EDU/PSY 4031: Assessment and Management of Behavior EDU/BIO 4035: Content for Secondary Science Teachers EDU 4085: Student Teaching Choose one of the following two courses: EDU/PHI 3013: Philosophy of Education EDU/HIS 3015: History of Education |
3 0 3 3 1 4 3 4 3 4 12 3 3 Credits: 43 |
Biology Minor
The biology minor is available to all Bachelor’s degree candidates and is a strong minor for those majoring in Environmental Studies and related fields. The electives at the upper level may NOT count toward the major.
Biology minor requirements:
| BIO 1034: From Fins to Fingers: Vertebrate Natural History and Evolution |
4 |
| Choose one of the following three courses: BIO 1035: Disease and Disorder: History, Humans, and Hope BIO 1036: Solar Powered Life: The Biology of Plants BIO 1037: The Four Seasons Choose one of the following two courses: BIO 2025: Ecology BIO 2015: Cell Biology Choose one of the following two courses: CHE 1022: General Chemistry II CHE 2021: Organic Chemistry I CHE 1021: General Chemistry I BIO*: Electives at 3000 - 4000 level |
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 6 - 8 |
Biopsychology Minor
The Biopsychology minor is available to all students who have an interest in the biological basis of human and animal behavior.
Biopsychology Requirements:
| PSY 1003: Introduction to Psychology CHE 1021: General Chemistry I Choose one of the following two courses: BIO 1035: Disease and Disorder: History, Humans, and Hope BIO 2023: Human Anatomy Choose one of the following three courses PSY 2041: Human Development I PSY 2042: Human Development II PSY 2063: Biological Basis of Behavior Choose one of the following two courses: BIO 2013: Genetics of Human Behavior BIO 2015: Cell Biology Choose one of the following three courses: PSY 3012: Perception PSY 4013: Abnormal Psychology Choose one of the following four courses: BIO 3019: Genetics BIO 3073: Animal Behavior BIO 4015: Biochemistry BIO 4003: Evolution |
3 4 4 3 3-4 3 3-4 |