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Jul 04, 2025
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2025-2026 Gordon College Academic Catalog
Biology Major (B.A.)
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The biology major leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree is tailored to help students double-majoring in education, the social sciences, or the humanities or desiring a broader and more flexible degree. This degree requires 47 credits of biology: 19 credits in specified courses, one 4 credit upper level plant or ecology course elective, and 24 credits of biology electives. Three support courses, two courses in chemistry and one course in biostatistics, are also required.
The Bachelor of Arts degree differs from the Bachelor of Science degree, requiring fewer supporting courses and more biology courses. Specifically, students doing the BA are not required to take Physics I and II or Organic Chemistry I and II or Calculus. This is five fewer courses. BA students are, however, required to take two additional upper level biology courses, leaving a net reduction of three courses between the two degrees.
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Requirements
Majors normally take an introductory core of six courses in the sequence listed below, plus a senior seminar. Required Support Courses
The following science and mathematics support courses are also required of all Bachelor of Arts biology majors: Electives
In addition, majors choose from one of the concentrations below while adhering to these course/credit requirements: - 24 additional credits of biology courses are required
- At least three upper-level (300- or above) biology courses are required
- No more than two courses (four credits) of Advanced Human Anatomy courses will apply to the major (BIO/KIN 410 , BIO/KIN 411 , BIO/KIN 412 , BIO/KIN 413 , BIO/KIN 414 )
Biology Concentrations
In addition, a concentration is required from the following (maximum of one): Provides flexibility in course selection for students with a holistic interest in biology. Recommended for those who want experience in biotechnology and want to be prepared for the business world as well as research. Leverage Gordon’s location on the coast as well as take advantage of collaborations with Wood’s Hole, Marine Studies Consortium, and Au Sable Institute. Honors in Biology
Students may graduate with honors in biology by conducting, writing, presenting and defending an honors thesis based on substantial research during their senior year. Under the guidance of a faculty advisor, candidates will develop a thesis proposal and register for 4-8 credits of research (BIO 471 , BIO 472 ). The candidate will select a thesis committee of three faculty members: the advisor as the chair of the committee and two other faculty members, one of whom must be from a program outside the student’s major. The role of the committee includes: first, to approve the research proposal from the candidate; second, to help shape and monitor the progress of the candidate’s research; and third, to read and approve the candidate’s final thesis. Completed research must be presented in the biology senior seminar class or in a scheduled seminar open to the public and defended orally with the Honors Thesis Committee prior to exam week. The minimum GPA for an honors candidate is 3.5 in the major and 3.0 overall. Educator Licensure - Biology
Students interested in teaching biology should consult the program chairs of biology and education for specific course requirements. The Bachelor of Arts in biology is recommended. |
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