May 17, 2025  
2024-2025 Westminster College Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Westminster College Catalog

Biology, B.S.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors

Biology and Molecular Biology Mission Statement

The mission of the biology department takes its direction from the broader mission of Westminster College. The department’s quest for academic excellence and extensive experiential learning is suffused with a recognition that stewardship of life mandates the maximum possible development of each person’s intellectual capabilities and social responsibilities. The biology department realizes its mission in students who acquire knowledge and appreciation of the natural world, and who commit themselves to the acquisition of skills for careers and responsible service as world citizens. 

Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology will:

1. Clearly explain and effectively apply fundamental understanding of biological concepts. 

2. Develop, refine and apply technical and analytic skills necessary for success in biology-related professions and/or graduate biology and health science programs. 

3. Practice critical thinking, including the ability to evaluate evidence-based scientific work. 

4. Communicate scientific ideas effectively through well-expressed written and oral presentations. 

5. Actively employ knowledge of the living world in social contexts, including in ethical decision making. 

6. Design and carry out scientific studies; effectively collect, analyze and interpret experimental data.

 

The Major in Biology (B.S.)


Requirements for a major in biology (B.S.) are met by taking a minimum of 64 semester hours in major courses which must include the following:

Biology Electives


Plus, twelve (12) semester hours of elective courses that must be numbered 300 or above (excluding BIO 590  , and limited to no more than four semester hours of BIO 620  and eight semester hours of BIO 660-690 ).

Biology Supporting Courses


NOTE:


A student who completes three biology courses (BIO prefix) and earns a grade lower than C- in each course prior to registering for BIO 601  will be identified as not making progress in the major. (Exceptions will be made for students who take a medical or personal leave for the semester). Students who are not making progress in the major will not be allowed to continue as a biology or molecular biology major.

Students cannot register for BIO 601  (Biology Capstone I) unless their major GPA is above a 2.0 and they are making progress in the major.

Honors Scholars majoring in biology or molecular biology are expected to attend and participate in BIO 601  while they write their Honors proposal.  

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors