Biology Major

The Biology program is committed to transforming students into Biologists with enhanced skills in critical thinking and scientific reasoning. Students will learn in an environment that fosters creativity, independent thinking, and the application of knowledge in the biological sciences. When Biology students graduate from Carroll University they will have the confidence and skills necessary to be successful professionals in a dynamic global work force.

The biology major is designed to give students excellent preparation for graduate study or professional careers in life science areas such as molecular biology, physiology, field biology, research, teaching, dentistry, medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant, or veterinary medicine. All students have opportunities to develop excellent research skills throughout the core courses and upper-level biology electives, and many students collaborate with biology faculty on their current scholarly research.

Learning Outcomes for Biology

After completing the Biology major, students will:

• Understand foundational principles across ecological, organismal, and cellular/molecular fields in biology
• Be able to apply foundational knowledge to solve biological problems
• Interpret and generate scientific data (graphical or other formats)
• Develop hypotheses, design controlled experiments, and perform data analyses
• Understand the theoretical basis of fundamental laboratory techniques
• Communicate scientific information through written or oral formats
• Develop informational research skills by reading scientific textbooks, articles, and searching peer-reviewed databases

Students in the Biology program may be considered for graduation with program honors if they complete the following requirements:

• GPA, Biology courses: 3.6 or higher GPA, Overall: 3.4 or higher
• Presentation of research project results at a regional or national meeting (e.g., BBB or a disciplinary society) or submission of a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal Demonstrated commitment to the biology profession, broadly defined, above and beyond that of the average student. Evidence of such commitment will come from one or more of the following:
  • Active membership in Beta Beta Beta, the Biological Honor Society.
  • Active membership in a professional/scholarly organization related to biology (e.g., Ecological Society of America, American Society for Microbiology, etc.).
  • Significant educational activity/outreach (e.g., tutoring, mentoring) at the university or other level.
  • Consistent and sustained volunteer activity in an organization working on environmental, health, or other issues relevant to biology.
  • Significant research activity separate from or above and beyond the capstone.
  • Sustained activity in science-related policy/consulting in communication, journalism, government, public policy, business, industry or education.

The Biology faculty will review these requirements for all graduating seniors in the spring semester of each year.

Fees

Specific courses that require use of transportation, equipment or disposable supplies are assigned a course fee.