Biology

The Academic Program

Studies in Biology at Swarthmore

1. General Studies (BIOL 001 - 009) with no biology prerequisites.

   Not resolved to a course
2. BIOL 001

   Cellular and Molecular Biology

   As published: “& 002 Introductory Foundation series.”
   1
3. BIOL 003

   Other introductory courses and first year seminars (FYS).

   Not resolved to a course
4. Intermediate (BIOL 010 - 069) most requiring both BIOL 001 and 002 as prerequisites.

   Not resolved to a course
5. BIOL 010

   Genetics

   As published: “Group I Cellular & Molecular Biology with laboratory component (practicum).”
   1
6. BIOL 020

   Animal Physiology

   As published: “Group II Organismal Biology with laboratory component (practicum).”
   1
7. BIOL 030

   Animal Behavior

   As published: “Group III Population Biology with laboratory component (practicum).”
   1
8. BIOL 040

   other intermediate-level topics either with, or without, a lab component.

   Not resolved to a course
9. Advanced Seminars (BIOL 110-139) in corresponding Groups I, II, and III. All require specific intermediate course(s) as prerequisites.

   Not resolved to a course
10. Research Seminars (BIOL 140-149) may count as a Biology elective credit w/out lab. All require specific intermediate course(s) as prerequisites.

    Not resolved to a course
11. Independent Studies

    Not resolved to a course
12. BIOL 093

    Directed Reading
13. BIOL 094

    Research Project

    Not resolved to a course
14. BIOL 098

    Neuroscience Thesis

    As published: “Neuroscience Thesis Research”
    0.5-2.0
15. BIOL 180

    Honors Research

    As published: “Honors Research.”
16. Senior Comprehensives required for majors and honors majors, respectively.

    Not resolved to a course
17. BIOL 097

    Themes in Biology
    1
18. BIOL 199

    Senior Honors Study
    1
19. BIOL 095

    Senior Project

    As published: “Senior Project with special permission in lieu of BIOL 097.”
    0.5

Application Process for the Major or Minor

Course Major

Acceptance criteria for the major

1. Successful completion of BIOL 001, BIOL 002, plus a third biology course with a lab. Courses numbered 003-009, 093, or 094 may not be used for acceptance to the major.

   Not resolved to a course
2. Applicants must have an average grade of C (2.00) or better in BIOL 001 and BIOL 002.

   Not resolved to a course
3. CHEM 010

   Foundations of Chemical Principles

   As published: “or credit/placement approved by the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department.”
   1
4. Swarthmore College credit, or credit/placement approved by the MATH/STAT Department, for two courses in mathematics or statistics consisting of MATH 015 or above (with the exception of MATH 015X, 015SP, or 020) or STAT 011 or above. Alternatively, students may complete Calculus II (MATH 025) to satisfy the math requirement. Students who place out of MATH 025 have satisfied the math requirement for admittance to the major. The Biology Department strongly recommends a course in statistics for majors.

   Not resolved to a course
5. In addition, the applicant must have an average grade of C (2.00) or better in all courses taken in the Biology Department and the Division of Natural Sciences and Engineering (biology, physics and astronomy, chemistry and biochemistry, mathematics and statistics, engineering, computer science, and applicable environmental studies courses).

   Not resolved to a course
6. CR/NC: Unpublished grades in biology for the first semester of the first year will be considered in the C average requirement; passing grades of CR in other courses in the Division of Natural Sciences and Engineering (NSE) are acceptable.

   Not resolved to a course
7. Students who have not completed the requirements for acceptance to the major will be deferred until the end of the fifth semester or until they have completed the requirements. Students who have not completed all requirements for acceptance to the major by the end of the fifth semester will no longer have priority in lotteries based on their sophomore plan, and will need to re-apply for the major before the last day of classes in their junior year.

   Not resolved to a course

Graduation requirements for the major

1. Credit requirements: Students majoring in biology must complete a minimum of (9) biology credits, at least (6) of which must be taken at Swarthmore College. SP credits cannot be used to satisfy the major credit requirement.

   Not resolved to a course
2. Grade Point Average: Biology majors must maintain a grade point average of C (2.0) or better in all courses taken in the Biology Department and in the Division of Natural Sciences and Engineering.

   Not resolved to a course
3. CR/NC: Unpublished grades in biology for the first semester of the first year will be considered in the C average. Passing grades of CR in NSE courses are acceptable. After the first semester, only (1) biology course with a recorded grade of CR can be used to fulfill the requirements of a biology major and will not factor into the GPA requirements. Seminars (110-139) and BIOL 097 may not be taken CR/NC.

   Not resolved to a course
4. Major distribution requirements:

   Not resolved to a course
5. Intermediate Courses: Students majoring in biology must pass at least (1) intermediate course in each of the following three groups. These courses are all practicums, including a lab:

   Not resolved to a course
6. Group I. Cellular and Molecular Biology (BIOL 010-019).

   Not resolved to a course
7. Group II. Organismal Biology (BIOL 020-029)

   Not resolved to a course
8. Group III. Population Biology (BIOL 030-039)

   Not resolved to a course
9. Advanced Seminars: All biology majors are required to take at least (1) seminar (BIOL 110-139). These are advanced offerings that uses primary rather than secondary source materials and encourage active student participation in presentation and discussion of materials. Note that all seminars have at least (1) intermediate level course (BIOL 010-039) as a prerequisite. All seminars must be taken at Swarthmore College. To enroll in a seminar, Biology students must earn a B(3.0) grade or better in the intermediate course used as the seminar prerequisite.

   Not resolved to a course
10. Biology Elective Courses: Biology majors must take the required number of additional (elective) biology courses in addition to the other course requirements listed. This requirement may be satisfied by any biology course numbered between BIOL 003-149. This includes general studies and first year seminars (BIOL 003-009), advanced research seminars (140-149), BIOL 093 or 094, other intermediate courses (BIOL 040-069), as well as Group I - III intermediate and seminar courses not used towards other requirements. BIOL 095, 097, 098, 180, 199, or SP credits may not be used towards the elective requirements for a biology major.

    Not resolved to a course
11. Students majoring in biology may count only (1) course numbered 003-009 as a biology elective credit.

    Not resolved to a course
12. Students majoring in biology may count no more than (2) credits in BIOL 093: Directed Reading and/or BIOL 094: Research Project as biology elective credit(s). Note additional requirements for more than (1) credit of 093 and/or 094 on the Research Opportunities @ Swat Bio website.

    Not resolved to a course
13. CHEM 038

    Biological Chemistry

    As published: “(Biochemistry) may be counted as a biology elective credit and the grade will be counted towards the biology GPA.”
    1
14. Required Senior Comprehensive: BIOL 097: Themes in Biology is offered in the spring semester each year and is usually taken by students in their senior year. This course features a series of visiting speakers who give presentations from all areas of biology. It enables faculty and students to interact on an intellectually challenging project; allows students to think about biology at a variety of levels of biological organization; and gives students the opportunity to meet and interact with distinguished biologists.

    Not resolved to a course
15. BIOL 097

    Themes in Biology

    As published: “is required for graduation. Students who fail BIOL 097 have failed the comprehensive exam and thus may not graduate.”
    1
16. A student may be given permission by the chair of the Biology Department to enroll in BIOL 097: Themes in Biology during their junior year. To ensure that students are ready to participate in a meaningful manner in the course they must have successfully completed at least (3) credits of intermediate and advanced seminar courses in addition to BIOL 001 and 002 before enrolling in BIOL 097.

    Not resolved to a course
17. The Biology Department faculty and chair may give permission to a student to write a senior paper and enroll in BIOL 095: Senior Project, to satisfy the College requirement of a comprehensive examination in certain, unusual circumstances.

    Not resolved to a course
18. NSE Breadth Requirements and Courses: The study of biology relies on concepts and tools from other disciplines in the natural sciences. In order to strengthen these connections we require biology majors take (2) credits of Natural Sciences and Engineering breadth courses in order to enhance their abilities as broadly trained biologists. Courses that satisfy the (2) CR NSE breadth requirement for the biology major are: ASTRO 014 or above, CHEM 015 or above, COMP SCI 021 or above, ENGR 005 or above (with the exception of ENGR 007 or ENGR 010), ENVS 060, ENVS 068, ENVS 079, MATH 15 or above (with the exception of MATH 015X, 015SP, or 020), PHYS 003 or above, STAT 11 or above, ECON 031 or 035. i. Courses used to meet the Chemistry or Math/Stat criterion for acceptance to the major may not be counted toward the NSE breadth course requirement. Courses used to meet any other biology major requirement may not be counted toward this requirement. While a student may test or place out of the Math criterion by AP, IB, or math placement test for acceptance to the biology major, both NSE breadth courses necessary for the completion of the major must be taken after matriculation at Swarthmore. If a student uses CHEM 038 to satisfy a biology requirement, it may not be used to satisfy the NSE breadth requirement.

    Not resolved to a course
19. Cross Listed Courses: Biology courses cross listed with other departments or programs will be counted in whichever department or program the student registers. This will determine if a given course will be credited for a Biology, NSE Breadth, acceptance, or other requirement. Please see general requirements in 7.2 of Chapter 7 Educational Program of this catalog for college-wide requirements.

    Not resolved to a course
20. For example, BIOL 009 Our Food is cross-listed in Environmental Studies as ENVS 009 Our Food. Students registering for BIOL 009 will get credit as a Biology course. Students registering for ENVS 009 will get credit for an Environmental Studies course.

    Not resolved to a course
21. Double counting courses: Students with an affiliated major and/or minor (Neuroscience, Environmental Studies, Biochemistry, etc.) must comply with the college wide policy regarding double counting courses as described in section 7.4 of Catalog Chapter 7 Educational Program . This includes, “…If a student has two majors and one is interdiciplinary, no more than (2) credits may be counted with the other major.”

    Not resolved to a course

Course Minor

Honors Major

Acceptance criteria for the Honors major

1. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.00 in all biology and Natural Sciences and Engineering Division courses. They must obtain a grade of B (3.0) or better in all biology courses and seminars used for the honors program.

   Not resolved to a course
2. Prospective honors students are encouraged to talk with faculty early in the process to discuss their path, interests, and studies.

   Not resolved to a course

Graduation requirements for the Honors major

1. Credit and grade requirements for honors: Students completing an Honors Biology major must complete 9-10 credits depending on the format of research (see c. below). Students must earn a grade of B or better for all intermediate courses and advanced seminars used for honors preparations and maintain an overall average grade of B (3.0 GPA) or better in all biology and NSE courses. All courses used for honors preparations cannot be taken CR/NC. Honors students may not take BIOL 097: Themes in Biology for credit but are welcome and encouraged to attend the seminars. BIOL 095, 097, 098, or SP credits cannot be used to satisfy the credit requirements.

   Not resolved to a course
2. Distribution requirements for honors:

   Not resolved to a course
3. ​​Intermediate Courses: Same course requirements as a course major meeting the grade requirements for honors.

   Not resolved to a course
4. Advanced Seminars: All honors biology majors are required to complete at least (2) seminars (BIOL 110-139) with corresponding intermediate prerequisite course (BIOL 010-039) meeting the grade requirements for honors. These two honors preparations must be taken from different faculty members and both must be taken at Swarthmore College.

   Not resolved to a course
5. Biology Elective Courses: As listed for a course major are not required for an honors biology major.

   Not resolved to a course
6. NSE breadth course requirements: Same requirements as a course major meeting the grade requirements for honors.

   Not resolved to a course
7. Cross Listed Courses: Requirements are the same as a regular Biology Major.

   Not resolved to a course
8. Double Counting Courses: Requirements are the same as a regular Biology Major.

   Not resolved to a course
9. Research requirement for honors: (2) credits of BIOL 180: Honors Research OR (1) credit of BIOL 180: Honors Research plus a summer of approved research on the same topic(s) and with the same faculty member are required. Thesis research will be graded by an external examiner. Students may not register for more than (2) credits of BIOL 180.

   Not resolved to a course
10. Students who are accepted into the program must select a research project and mentor by the middle of the junior year. Final approval of the student’s honors program will occur during the fall semester of the senior year.

    Not resolved to a course
11. The primary mentor for the thesis need not be a Swarthmore faculty member, but a Swarthmore faculty member must agree to be an on-campus mentor.

    Not resolved to a course
12. Students should plan on completing their research by the end of the fall semester of their senior year.

    Not resolved to a course
13. The honors thesis has a page limit of 20 pages (double-spaced) not counting references, figures, figure legends, or tables.

    Not resolved to a course
14. Senior Honors Study and Thesis completion: BIOL 199: Senior Honors Study is required for all honors majors in the spring semester of their senior year. This integrative and interactive program prepares each student to finalize and present their research thesis work formally, in both oral and written forms. At mid-semester, students present their projects informally to faculty and students for review and comments. BIOL 199 is Credit/No Credit and the evaluation is done by the biology faculty.

    Not resolved to a course

Honors Minor

Affiliated Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors

Biochemistry

1. Honors biochemistry majors are expected to participate in BIOL 199: Senior Honors Study only if the thesis research is done in the Biology Department.

   Not resolved to a course
2. Honors biochemistry majors must conduct thesis research with a Swarthmore faculty member.

   Not resolved to a course

Biology and Educational Studies

Environmental Studies

Neuroscience

Individualized majors

Alternative Credits towards a Biology Degree

Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate Credit

Study Abroad & Transfer Courses

Research, Independent Studies, and Student Opportunities

Research and Independent Studies

1. Within classes and labs as part of their studies.

   Not resolved to a course
2. As BIOL 093: Directed Reading or BIOL 094: Research Project for academic credit.

   Not resolved to a course
3. In paid research positions on grant-funded projects with faculty.

   Not resolved to a course
4. Over the summer with our summer research program(s) here at Swarthmore and outside institutions.

   Not resolved to a course

Student Employment in the Biology Department

1. Teaching Assistants are students with course experience who are hired to assist in our introductory and/or intermediate courses. These positions serve as laboratory assistants, van drivers, and/or study guides.

   Not resolved to a course
2. Catalysts for our introductory courses facilitate small group, problem based learning in evening study sessions that supplement the courses.

   Not resolved to a course
3. Research Assistants are students with course and research experience who are hired by a particular faculty member to work on their grant-funded research.

   Not resolved to a course
4. Department Support Positions may be available to help support the department in our greenhouse, media room, shop, and other aspects of the department operations.

   Not resolved to a course

Student Involvement in Searches & Reviews

Life After Swarthmore

Biology Courses

General Studies (001-009)

1. BIOL 001

   Cellular and Molecular Biology
   1
2. BIOL 001SP. Cellular and Molecular Biology

   Not resolved to a course
3. BIOL 002

   Organismal and Population Biology
   1
4. BIOL 002SP. Organismal and Population Biology

   Not resolved to a course
5. BIOL 004

   First Year Seminar: Making Earth: How Plants & Soils Transform Our Planet
   1
6. BIOL 005

   First Year Seminar - Exploring Regeneration & Cancer Biology Through Authentic Research.
   1
7. BIOL 006

   First Year Seminar: The Art of Biological Discovery
   1
8. BIOL 007

   Scientific Problem Solving: Quantitative Skills and Model Building
   0.5
9. BIOL 009

   Our Food
   1

Group I: Intermediate Cellular and Molecular Biology (010-019)

1. BIOL 010

   Genetics
   1
2. BIOL 014

   Cell Biology
   1
3. BIOL 016

   Microbiology
   1
4. BIOL 019

   Omics
   1

Group II: Intermediate Organismal Biology (020-029)

1. BIOL 020

   Animal Physiology
   1
2. BIOL 022

   Neurobiology
   1
3. BIOL 023

   Toxicology
   1
4. BIOL 024

   Developmental Biology
   1
5. BIOL 025

   Plant Biology
   1
6. BIOL 027

   Systems Biology
   1

Group III: Intermediate Population Biology (030-039)

1. BIOL 030

   Animal Behavior
   1
2. BIOL 034

   Evolution
   1
3. BIOL 035

   Conservation Biology and Biodiversity
   1
4. BIOL 036

   Ecology
   1
5. BIOL 037

   Conservation Biology
   1

Additional Intermediate Biology (040-069)

1. BIOL 041

   Tropical Ecology
   1
2. BIOL 061

   Biomedical Modeling and Simulation
   1

Group I: Advanced Seminars Cellular and Molecular Biology (110-119)

1. BIOL 111

   Genome Regulation by Noncoding RNA
   1
2. BIOL 112

   Cell Biology of Neurodegeneration
   1
3. BIOL 114

   Host-Pathogen-Microbiota Interactions
   1
4. BIOL 115E

   Plant Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology
   1
5. BIOL 119

   Genomics and Systems Biology
   1

Group II: Advanced Seminars Organismal Biology (120-129)

1. BIOL 120

   Physiological Ecology.
   1
2. BIOL 123

   Stress Physiology.
   1
3. BIOL 127

   Behavioral Neuroendocrinology
   1
4. BIOL 128

   Evolution and Development
   1
5. BIOL 129

   Developmental Neurotoxicology
   1

Group III: Advanced Seminars Population Biology (130-139)

1. BIOL 131

   Animal Communication
   1
2. BIOL 134

   Evolution of Animal Societies
   1
3. BIOL 137

   Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning
   1

Advanced Research Seminars (140-149)

Independent Studies

1. BIOL 093

   Directed Reading
2. BIOL 094

   Research Project

   Not resolved to a course
3. BIOL 098

   Neuroscience Thesis
   0.5-2.0
4. BIOL 180

   Honors Research

Senior Comprehensive

1. BIOL 095

   Senior Project
   0.5
2. BIOL 097

   Themes in Biology
   1
3. BIOL 199

   Senior Honors Study
   1