Academic Advising Resource Center

Biology

Why take courses in Biology?

The domain of biology is vast, ranging from subcellular and biochemical processes to ecosystems and organized societies. Oberlin students and faculty engage this sweeping realm through state-of-the-art methods in biochemistry, molecular biology, computational modeling, and field work, investigating Darwin’s “Grandeur of Life,” from genes to proteins, bacteria to birds, laboratory microcosms to forests and computer-generated worlds.

What kinds of questions does Biology explore?

  • What are the different types of pathogens that cause human disease? What are their effects on humans?

  • How do cells sense their environment and respond by turning on and off different genes, how do cells talk to each other to coordinate behavior, and how can cancer develop if this coordination breaks down?
  • How are genomes sequenced and analyzed to identify genes and predict the functional relationships of their products?

 

What advice would you give students interested in taking courses in Biology?

There are many opportunities for students interested in the material, but not interested in majoring, to explore the material. Many students experience a more successful college transition by beginning with only a single lab science course, often chemistry, in the first semester.

All students interested in the major are required to take BIOL 100, even if they have previously earned credit for BIOL 103.

Taking Courses

Courses for non-majors or general interest

  • The introductory course, BIOL 100 (Organismal Biology), has no prerequisite and is open to non-majors. In addition, several first-year seminars are taught with a biological emphasis or scientific theme. Introduction to Global Health (BIOL 135) and Environmental Biology (BIOL 103) are available to non-majors.

Getting started in the major

There are five core courses for majors to complete: BIOL 100, BIOL 210, BIOL 211, BIOL 223, and BIOL 224. The greatest flexibility in course options is possible when students take the year-long introductory chemistry sequence in the first year.

    Advanced Placement Credit 

    Students earning a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Biology exam (AP Bio) or a score of 6 or 7 on the HL-IB exam will receive 1 full course of natural science credit, as BIOL 604, applied toward graduation requirements, but not toward the Biology major. AP/IB credits does not exempt Biology majors from taking BIOL 100: Organismal Biology. Refer to the AP/IB chart for complete information about AP test scores. 

    Majoring in Biology

    Provided are two examples of how a student could distribute courses required for the major over three or four years. See the catalog for additional details about major requirements.

    Sample Four-Year Plans
      Fall Spring
    Y1 CHEM 101 + lab
    MATH 133 or CSCI 140/150    		 CHEM 102 + lab
    BIOL 100 + lab
    Y2 CHEM 205 + lab BIOL 223/224
    Y3 BIOL 210/211
    BIOL 3XX    		 Study Away
    Y4 BIOL 3XX + lab BIOL 3XX + lab
    BIOL 4XX
      Fall Spring
    Y1 BIOL 100 + lab BIOL 210/211
    Y2 CHEM 101 + lab
    STAT 113    		 CHEM 102 + lab
    Y3 BIOL 223/224 CHEM 205 + lab
    BIOL 3XX
    Y4 BIOL 3XX + lab BIOL 3XX + lab
    BIOL 4XX

     

    Related Areas of Study

    Biochemistry; Chemistry; Computer Science; Geosciences; Environmental Studies; Neuroscience; Statistics. 

    Learn More

    Biology Major Requirements
    Biology Department