The Conservation and Biodiversity program enables students to explore the origins and maintenance of the Earth's astonishing biodiversity using a variety of perspectives and approaches. In the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology programs, students investigate the cellular and sub-cellular mechanisms underlying life processes. The Human Biology program emphasizes the biology of the human species and is tailored for students who wish to pursue a career in a health-related field. The Integrative Biology program approaches biological questions in a multidisciplinary fashion, with course work in a range of biology sub-disciplines. Biological Sciences also offers ten Major programs and one Minor program. The Major programs (in Biology, Biology Co-op, Conservation and Biodiversity, Conservation and Biodiversity Co-op, Human Biology, Human Biology Co-op, Molecular Biology, Molecular Biology Co-op, Immunology and Disease, Immunology and Disease Co-op, Plant Biology, and Plant Biology Co-op) allow students to combine their studies in biology with studies in either an unrelated program or in a complementary Major program such as Neuroscience, Environmental Science, Biochemistry, Health Studies or Psychology. The Minor program in Biology is intended for students who have an interest in biology but wish to focus their studies in a different discipline.
The Integrative Biology program allows students to pursue a specialist program built on a broad, multi-perspective approach towards understanding biological complexity. This program provides students with a solid foundation in core biological areas (cellular and organismal biology, ecology and conservation, genes and development) and builds on this knowledge base in third and fourth years. A key advantage to this program is that it allows students to pursue specialization in more than one area at the same time, providing students with a broad understanding of biology. Many of the biggest issues facing today's planet require scientists that are capable of bringing different and complementary perspectives to look for solutions, and this program provides the coursework and training to help undergraduates build this knowledge base. Students who are interested in careers in conservation biology, ecology, environmental sciences, cellular/organismal biology, as well as ones interested in careers in medicine and other health professions, will benefit from this program.
