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Office of Biology Undergraduate Affairs Concentration Programs and Requirements Undergraduate Research and Honors Biological Science Departments |
FAQs: Navigating Biology
(To download a pdf version of this information, click here: Biology_FAQs.pdf ) Beginning in Biology: Course Selections*Q#1: I am a freshman. Where should I begin right away if I want to pursue the biological sciences?A#1: All biology programs require some chemistry. The chemistry sequence begins in fall semester with CHEM 0330. Plan on taking the CHEM 0330 placement, and most students should expect to be placed into CHEM 0330. A sample plan for the first year, first semester could therefore be CHEM 0330 plus a biology course, as follows:
NOTE: As of 2008-09, CHEM 0330 will ALSO be offered in spring semester. ** Second semester options: if no AP/IB or placement, take BIOL 0200. If placement is beyond BIOL 0200, recommended are: BIOL 0320, 0420, 0500, 0510. Certain others are best reserved for sophomore year or beyond, including BIOL 0470 (Genetics), BIOL 0800 (Physiology), BIOL 0530 (Immunology), BIOL 0280 (Biochemistry), and many others.
Q#2: How do AP, IB, or A levels credits count in biology programs?A#2: IB and A-levels offer similar placement* beyond BIOL 0200. Q#3: Even if I have advanced placement credit for biology, should I take BIOL 0200 anyway?A#3: In most cases, no. Students should not repeat a course where there is already placement credit. Q#4: How is the Biology curriculum structured, beyond the introductory level?A#4: The Intermediate-level courses numbered >0200 but <1000, offer a substantial and rigorous view of the various subdisciplines in the biological sciences. These are the springboard for advanced level offerings, numbered >1000. Q#5: How about physics? Is it required?A#5: Physics is required for some but not all of biology concentrations. (But, it is required for most health careers as a requirement.) Courses are: PHYS 0030, 0040 or 0050, 0600 or ENGN 0300, 0400. Recommended for most: Save physics for Junior year or after completing the needed chemistry courses. For some students, Physics 0040 may be taken before Physics 0030, but this is not recommended unless students have prior high school physics experience. Q#6: Is it a good idea to take more than one science course each semester?A#6: It depends on the situation and student, so it is best to seek individualized advice. However, in Biology programs, doubling up (and occasional tripling up) of science courses is expected. At each stage of academic planning, students will be counseled about what combinations of courses are strategic, manageable, or necessary. Advice is tailored to the individual student and circumstances. Q#7: What are the pre-med requirements?A#7: "Pre-Med" is NOT a concentration, but is a set of course requirements,* dictated by and agreed upon by most medical schools. As an undergraduate, you can concentrate in ANYTHING, and ALSO fulfill pre-health careers coursework. If you happen to choose one of the biological sciences programs, you will find that some of these courses form part of your concentration program. For more details, please refer to the Summary Flyer available at the Health Careers Office, or the website: http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Dean_of_the_College/hco/ *In general, these are the pre-health careers requirements: CHEM 0330, 0350, 0360; PHYS 0030, 0040; at least one semester of calculus (MATH 0090; sometimes 0100 as well); and two-four biology courses, (two of which must have laboratory); two English courses. Some vet schools add biochemistry and/or microbiology to this list. Q#8: As a science student, must all my courses be taken for grades, or is S/NC option possible?A#8: While either option is available for most* courses, the reality is that for pre-professional students, most science courses are expected to have letter grades. Concentration Program Planninghttp://bms.brown.edu/bug/conc3 Q#9: Which is better, an AB or ScB?A#9: You will hear many opinions on this but here is the truth: Neither is inherently better! The program you pursue should above all reflect your interests, abilities, time constraints, other interests, and career goals. AB programs permit more time for you to pursue other electives outside science, a boon if you wish to explore other academic areas. Also, AB programs may be embellished (for example, by adding courses beyond the minimum number required; also, by including or adding a research project.) The ScB programs include most of the required courses for students aiming at medical, dental, veterinary or graduate schools in the biological sciences. However, graduate and professional schools are more concerned with these factors: challenging thoughtful courses; well-rounded skills; focus; research experience; interesting extracurriculars. These factors are much more important than AB vs ScB per se. Q#10: When and how do I file a concentration, get an advisor, etc.?A#10: By the time you reach your fourth semester, you will have a pretty good idea which program is the best choice. The first formal step in filing your concentration is to schedule an appointment with Dean Thompson. This meeting will involve a detailed analysis of your goals and constraints, and will yield a decision as to which program appears to be the best choice for you. One of the results of this meeting will be a mapping out of your general (sometimes specific) requirements needed for the completion of your selected program, over the remaining semesters. Finally, students will be assigned to a concentration advisor. The next step will be for the student to bring the actual concentration forms (available at the Registrar’s Office) to a meeting they schedule with the assigned advisor, and to carry on the discussion and planning from there. All students should be aware that the initial plan of the concentration is just that: a first draft. Even after filing these papers, there will be considerable changing of courses, or even switching of programs. This is normal, and relatively uncomplicated. The academic process continues evolving, and the final form of your program may not be settled until your eighth semester. Research Opportunities for Undergraduateshttp://bms.brown.edu/bug/ugres.html Q#11: Are these research opportunities for undergraduates?A#11: YES! The opportunities are numerous, diverse and accessible to undergraduates. In fact, over 150 students per semester enroll in for BIOL 1950/1960 (research for credit) under the sponsorship of BioMed faculty, from basic science to clinical. Most projects are carried out for at least two semesters, and many include a summer as well. Most projects involve working on an aspect of ongoing research. Q#12: Where can I find information about this?A#12: The RESEARCH PROJECTS COLLECTION is a compendium of the research activities of all BioMed faculty will sponsor student projects. The information can be browsed from the website, and can be used to identify volunteer (non-credit) research opportunities summer projects, BIOL 1950/1960 projects, and Honors projects. http://bms.brown.edu/bug/research/ Q#13: What is the difference between Independent Study and Honors?A#13: Mostly, scope and depth. Independent research projects are the ONLY route to Honors in biology. Honors is based on a substantial research project "independent study" that usually lasts for two semesters or more. Read about Honors at: http://bms.brown.edu/bug/ugres.html Q#14: How can I find out about summer internships?A#14: AWAY FROM BROWN: AT BROWN: Studying Away and AbroadQ#15: Is it possible to concentrate in Biology, and also study abroad?A#15: YES! This is both possible and common. Students may even incorporate portions of their concentration programs from courses taken abroad or away from Brown. However, planning is recommended, due to numerous considerations and time factors involved in planning for study away. NOTE: Courses transferred back to Brown will appear on the official transcript, but specific grades are all converted to S. Q#16: Can credits be transferred from other schools or programs?A#16: Yes. With approval, appropriate courses may transfer with Brown tuition credit (stipulations are set by the University) and/or for concentration credit. This may include certain summer courses and study abroad programs, but usually not programs completed prior to matriculation in college. Courses that may be transferred include those taken in study abroad or study away programs, and summer courses. Note: summer research programs are a special category that are subject to a specific policy. Details of this policy may be requested at the Biology Undergraduate Affairs Office. Doubling UpQ#17: If I complete two concentrations within four years, does that mean I get two diplomas?A#17: No. There is a big difference between concentration and degree. For four undergraduate years including at least one completed concentration program, and a minimum of 30 tuition credits, a single baccalaureate* degree is awarded (i.e. four undergraduate years yield one college degree). * The baccalaureate degree will therefore be In Artibus (AB) or In Scientia (ScB). However, some students complete more than one concentration program within a four-year period (“double concentrators”). In these cases, all concentrations completed will be indicated clearly on official transcript. But, regardless of how many concentration programs are completed, there is still one baccalaureate degree earned, not two. However, the official external transcript will denote all concentrations completed. Q#18: What if I complete an AB and an ScB program, ALL within four years? Then what will my diploma say?A#18: Your transcript will list both programs officially. But for your diploma, you will choose whether it will say Baccalaureato In Scientia or Baccalaureato In Artibus. If a student completes the two programs by taking an extra year (a fifth year, hence minimum of 38 credits), then two degrees, AB and ScB may be conferred. (An extra year includes full charges for tuition and expenses.) Q#19: So, why would anyone spend the fifth year, if essentially the same thing is possible in four years?A#19: Because in some cases there just isn’t enough time for a student to do all that is desired or required for both programs within four years. So having that fifth year makes this possible, but at considerable extra time and expense. The rationale for doing this should be discussed with an advisor. In a given academic year fewer than one percent of total graduates do this. On the other hand, double concentrators are fairly common throughout the University, and represent about 15-20% of biology concentrators. Pre-Meds and Other Health CareersQ#20: Who handles pre-med and other health careers?A#20: The Office of Health Careers operates under the auspice of the Dean of the College. Dean Andrew Simmons is available for consultation in navigating the planning for coursework, the MCATs (or VATs, or DATs), appropriate timing of the application and suitable schools, organizing letters of recommendation, and assembling the application package. http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Dean_of_the_College/hco/ Additional InformationQ#21: Where can I get additional information and help?A#21: Additional information can be found in the Biology Undergraduate Affairs Office. This is the central resource and advising center for biology students. Dean Thompson directs the office and is available for consultation in a variety of ways, including office appointments, open hours, e-mail and/or telephone. Please be sure to check out our website for the most up-to-date information and resources: Questions? E-mail: Marjorie_Thompson@brown.edu Biology Undergraduate Affairs OfficeMarjorie Thompson, PhD, Associate Dean of Biological Sciences |
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Division of Biology & Medicine, |
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