BIOLOGY

The AB and ScB Biology concentrations at Brown provide rigorous training, while permitting a high degree of flexibility that invites students to focus their interests in specific areas.  Coursework is drawn from contributions of faculty in each of the five basic sciences departments at Brown, and thus comprise a unified cohort of offerings over a wide spectrum.

The programs are built around a basic tenet that students should establish breadth of exposure across the discipline. Thus we have an AREA requirement, which asks that students include at minimum, one course from each of three Area listings that reflect different levels of organization in biological systems (from molecular all the way to organismal levels).

We place a high value on practical skills and understanding of experimental design; therefore we require students take at least three courses with laboratory/fieldwork components. Also, depth and exposure to cutting edge science is key; so students must include several courses at the advanced (above 1000-) level. The foregoing features ensure a thoughtful and disciplined course of study.

The Directed Research/Independent Study courses (BIOL 1950/1960) offer opportunities for in-depth, collaborative research with faculty at the frontiers of their fields. This is a serious, time consuming undertaking, and presumes a foundation of experience with relevant coursework.  The research is generally conducted for at least two semesters, and is the path that may lead to Honors upon graduation (with thesis, presentation and academic excellence required, too; more information http://bms.brown.edu/bug/ugres.html).

Students find that the flexibility and depth of either the AB or ScB Biology programs provide excellent preparation for graduate work in the life sciences, as well as for professional study in medicine and other health professions, science teaching, biotechnology, agriculture, wildlife management, business, and law.


Standard Program for the AB Biology
(Parts A and B are required)

Part A. (AP scores of 4 or 5 may substitute):

   1. Mathematics: MATH 0090, 0100 (or 0170); or equivalent placement.
   2. Chemistry: CHEM 0330; 0350.

Part B. Core Courses:

Ten courses, which may be chosen from BIOL and/or NEUR offerings for concentrators, but must include:

   1. BIOL 0200 (AP credit or equivalent credit accepted; placement test available).
   2. At least two BIOL or NEUR courses must be above 1000-level.
   3. At least three of the BIOL or NEUR courses must include lab or fieldwork.
   4. The Area requirement must be fulfilled by taking at least one course in each of these groups:

• Area 1 (Cell/Molecular Biology): BIOL 0280, 0470, 0500, 0510, 0530, 1050, 1100, 1310; NEUR 1020.

• Area 2 (Structure-Function): BIOL 0310, 0320, 0440, 0800, 1100, 1800, 1880; NEUR 0010.

• Area 3 (Organismal Biology): BIOL 0380, 0390, 0400, 0410, 0420, 0430, 0450, 0460, 0480, 1410, 1430, 1490, 1800, 1880; ENVS 0490, 1455, 1460.

(No substitutions per above Area lists. If a course is listed in more than one area, it may be used to fulfill one of those; the other must be fulfilled by a different course.)

Options within the Core may include up to two related sciences which are approved courses for science concentrators, as follows:

• GEOL 0220 or above.
• CHEM above the prerequisite courses used.
• CSCI 0040 and above.
• APMA 0330 and above (except 0420).
• MATH 0180 and above.
• PHYS 0470 and above.
• PSYC (physiological psychology): eg, 0470, 0500, 0750, 1020, 1040.
• Courses in the history or philosophy of science (eg, HIST 1190); also BIOL 1920.
• Statistics: eg, SOC 1100; PSYC 0090 (COGS 0090); APMA 0650; MATH 1600; EDUC 1110; ECON 1620. 

NOTE: Related sciences must be above the instroductory level, and aimed at science concentrators.

BIOL 1950/1960 (Directed Research) may be included but it is not required. If a lab project, this can count for ONE of the three Lab course requirements, and as ONE advanced course.

HONORS: Honors in biology requires a thesis and oral presentation based on a research project (conducted via BIOL 1950/1960), and quality grades in the concentration. Guidelines, a manual, and information on faculty research are available in the Biology Undergraduate Affairs Office (Arnold Lab, Room 124) or at the Research Projects Collection, found at <http://bms.brown.edu/bug/ugres.html> of our website.


Standard Program for the ScB Biology
(Parts A, B and C are required)

Part A, (AP scores of 4 or 5 may substitute):

  1. Mathematics: MATH 0090, 0100 (or 0170); or equivalent placement.

  2. Chemistry: CHEM 0330, 0350, 0360.

  3. Physics: PHYS 0030, 0040 (or PHYS 0050/0060 or ENGN 0030; 0040).

Part B, Core Courses:

Same as Part B core for the AB program with the exception that program must include research (via BIOL 1950/1960) among the core courses. (If substantial research is carried out away from Brown, it must be approved by an appropriate Brown BioMed faculty member, but does not carry course credit toward the Core program.)
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Part C, Thematic Cluster Courses:

Three additional biological sciences courses, or physical sciences (not including BIOL 1950/1960 research) that form an approved thematic cluster, as follows:

• At least two, and preferably all three, must be above 1000-level
• Courses used for the cluster, must be approved by an advisor and/or Dean Thompson.
• Examples of thematic clusters include:
Cell and Molecular Biology; Immunobiology; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Physiology/Biotechnology; Neurobiology; Physical Sciences.

HONORS: Same requirements as described under AB Biology.

STIPULATIONS FOR BIOLOGY PROGRAMS:

   1. For double concentrations, no more than two courses may overlap (i.e., be used to meet requirements of both) programs, prerequisites excepted.
   2. No more than two semesters of directed research may be used as concentration credits.
   3. Transfer or study abroad courses may be used within the program, subject to approval of advisor, and Dean Thompson.