Learning Aims

The Biology Department has developed the following learning aims for the biology major:

• Students will master the current factual content of different sub-disciplines within biology, such as molecular/cellular, organismal, and population biology.
• Students will show a clear understanding of the scientific process and effectively engage in conducting research based on their ability to read, understand, and critically evaluate primary literature articles; ask scientific questions; and design experiments testing hypotheses.
• Students will be able to analyze, display, and interpret data using statistical and graphical software packages.
• Students will demonstrate proficiency in communicating effectively in a variety of formats, including verbal, written, and symbolic (mathematical) channels. They will exhibit the ability to write papers in appropriate scientific formats; discuss scientific experiments in a group; present results verbally and in poster formats; and use computer and graphical models to explain biological phenomenon.
• Students will be able to articulate the ethical issues surrounding the practice and direction of biological research.