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BARD BIOLOGY
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The curriculum

The major

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In addition to the college-wide distribution requirements and First-Year Seminar, every biology major must complete:

  • Two semesters (at least 6 credits) of introductory courses (numbered 140-199). These courses focus on a particular topic within biology, such as medical microbiology or global change biology. Students typically take these courses during their first year. Introductory courses are required of all students, even those who have taken Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses.
  • A sequence of Genetics and Evolution and Ecology and Evolution, typically taken during the second year.
  • Biostatistics, typically taken in the second or third year.
  • Upper-college laboratory electives: a minimum of two biology laboratory courses (4 credits each) at the 300-level.
  • Upper-college seminars: a minimum of four credits (typically one course) of 400-level seminars. All 400-level courses require students to read and present the primary literature.
  • One complementary STEM course: To broaden their exposure to other areas of science, students must take one majors-level course (4 credits) in math, computing, or a science other than biology.
  • Biology Seminar, a 1-credit course offered every semester. All Biology majors must take the course for credit at least twice before graduation.
  • Senior Project I and II (8 credits total)

For moderation in biology

To moderate into the biology program, a student should have successfully completed two semesters of introductory biology, as described above, and either Genetics and Evolution or Ecology and Evolution. In the semester of moderation (typically the spring semester of the sophomore year), most students are enrolled in the second of the courses in this two-course sequence.

More information about the process of moderation in biology is available here.

Courses

Courses for non-majors

These biology courses are specifically intended for students not intending to major in biology. These courses focus on scientific inquiry, evaluating evidence, and connecting science to everyday life.
  • Obesity
  • Mammals
  • Amyelotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Genetics and Identity
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Natural History of the Hudson Valley
  • Food Microbiology
  • Conservation Biology

Introductory courses for majors

Introductory courses for biology majors are typically offered either every year, or every other year. We also offer course-based research experiences (CREs) for entering students.
  • Case Studies in Medical Microbiology
  • Global Change Biology
  • From Genes to Traits
  • Extinction
  • Lakes, Rivers, and Shores
  • The Tree of Life
  • CRE: Disease Ecology

Core courses

These courses are required of all biology majors and provide a common foundation for further study in biology. Each of these courses is typically offered each semester, and students often take them during the second year.
  • Genetics and Evolution
  • Ecology and Evolution
  • Biostatistics

Elective courses

Elective courses are typically offered with labs, and are taught once every other year. Examples of recent courses include:
  • Animal Behavior
  • Animal Physiology
  • Plant Ecology
  • Cell Biology
  • Field Ornithology
  • Metagenomics
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology

Advanced seminars

In Advanced Seminars, students read, discuss, and present the primary literature about a particular topic. Examples of recent advanced seminars include:

  • Conservation Biology
  • Distilling Biotechnology
  • Cholera
  • Urban Ecology
  • Ecology of Infectious Diseases
  • Topics in Virology: Ebola
  • Cancer

Biology Seminar

Each semester, we offer a biology seminar in which visiting biologists describe their latest research. This course, which meets at lunch on Thursdays, is popular with students and faculty as an opportunity to meet and discuss the latest research in biology.
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  • News
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  • People
    • Recent senior projects
    • Alumni
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    • Recent publications
    • Opportunities at Bard
    • Opportunities elsewhere
    • Facilities
  • For current majors
    • Moderation
    • Pre-health requirements
  • Jobs
  • About