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?
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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