Biology Major

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The biology major exposes students to a wide variety of field, laboratory, and classroom experiences fundamental to the life sciences. Through selected electives, students may concentrate on specific areas of interest such as marine biology, ecology, microbiology, botany, zoology, or molecular biology. The major also offers the flexibility for students to minor in another area or to fulfill requirements for secondary teaching certification. Students have excellent opportunities to engage in independent research projects. Graduates are prepared to pursue employment in biological laboratories, and for further study in the health professions or graduate research institutions.

Major Requirements

Nine (9) courses are required: seven (7) core biology courses, two (2) core chemistry courses, 10 semester hours of elective courses, and satisfactory performance on a comprehensive standardized examination. At least six (6) of the nine (9) courses required for the biology major must be taken at Rollins College or through a Rollins affiliated study abroad program. Of these six (6), at least four (4) must be BIO courses beyond BIO 120 /BIO 121 . At least one (1) 200-level BIO course is required and is a prerequisite for any 300 or 400-level BIO course.

Required (5 courses)

Ecosystems/field study (1 course)

Physiology (1 course)

Molecular biology/genetics (1 course)

Senior Seminar (1 course)

Biology Electives (10 credits)

Complete any biology course from BIO 210 and above; courses from the core groupings, other than those used to satisfy the core, may be used as electives.

Plants play a central role in our biosphere; however, our modern society often fails to recognize the significance of plants in biological systems, the scientific contributions of plant-based research, and the importance of plants in human affairs. Therefore, the department recommends that at least one (1) of the courses taken to fulfill the requirements for a major in biology be a plant-oriented biology course.

Complete Comprehensive Standardized Examination

Satisfactory Performance on a Comprehensive Standardized Examination is Required of All Majors.

Major Policies

Students may not simultaneously major or minor in biology and marine biology, or biochemistry/molecular biology.
Students with AP Biology scores of 5, or IB scores of 5, 6, or 7 (on the higher level IB exam), can be given the option of exemption from either BIO 120 or BIO 121 upon department chair approval.
To declare this major, a student must have a minimum 2.0 GPA in at least two (2) of the courses listed on the major map.