BIO 100 : CONCEPTS IN BIOLOGY
An introduction to the fundamental principles of biological activity and scientific methodology. Lecture and laboratory. Lab fee. Offered Fall and Spring Terms.
The Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics strives to provide a rich and rigorous course of study in the natural sciences and an environment in which students explore scientific principles. The curricula are designed to enable majors to achieve employment in laboratories and secondary education, to pursue graduate degrees in biology, biochemistry, and chemistry, and to enter professional programs in medical fields.
The Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics offers majors in biology and chemistry with either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. The department also offers majors in biochemistry and medical technology with a Bachelor of Science degree. Students earning biology or chemistry majors may earn secondary teaching certification; students interested in this certification should discuss this with their advisors and the Department of Education as early as possible, as secondary certification requirements may not be identical to major requirements.
The department also offers minors in biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental studies. The Environmental Studies minor is described in the Interdisciplinary Minors section of this catalog. Many students with majors in the Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics participate in pre-health curricula, which are described in the Career and Pre-Professional Programs section of this catalog. These programs are not part of the majors, and the majors are not required for them.
The General Education Program is a requirement for all degrees. The requirements listed below are approved for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Fine Arts.
ENG 101 | 3 hours |
Language and Culture | 9 hours |
MTH 108 or higher | 3 hours |
One course designated as Quantitative reasoning | 3–4 hours |
Health and Well-being Wellness | 2 hours |
Activity course | 1–2 hours |
Humanities | 6 hours |
Literature | 3 hours |
Fine Arts | 6 hours |
Natural Science | 7–8 hours |
Social Science | 6 hours |
Total | 49–52 hours |
Graduation requirements but not a separate course:
Students majoring in biology may receive either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. The Bachelor of Science degree requires students to take more courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics than the Bachelor of Arts degree does. In addition to coursework, all biology majors must complete the research requirement and take an assessment exam.
A student interested in biology should inform her adviser as early as possible. It is highly recommended, although not necessary, that she begins the chemistry sequence (CHM 190-203) during her freshman year and that she begins biology coursework within her freshman year. She should work closely with her adviser to plan her course of study.
All biology majors (BA & BS) are required to gain research experience. Students may fulfill this requirement by performing a research project under the direction of biology faculty at Converse College, by performing a research project under another person, or as part of a summer program. All research performed away from Converse must be approved by the biology faculty at Converse College. Students who prefer not to perform a research project may fulfill this requirement by successful completion of BIO 480. Chemistry projects and Biology projects satisfy the requirements for both majors for students who are double majors in Biology and Chemistry. BIO 480 does not satisfy the Chemistry research requirement.
In addition to the coursework and research requirements, all biology majors must complete an assessment exam during their senior year.
Majors who plan to complete secondary certification to teach high school must declare an Education minor, and meet with an advisor in the Education Department to discuss specific requirements. They are encouraged to do this as early as possible. Students interested in secondary certification should complete the following: Biology 190, BIO 191, 202, 203, 312 and 411; one of Physics 242 and 252; and one of BAD 300, ECN 300, POL 303, and PSY 311.
Through completion of the Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, students will:
The major GPA of a biology student will be calculated by using grades earned for all required major courses and the electives in which students have earned the highest grades, up to the required number of hours. Cognate courses and additional electives will not be calculated into major GPA.
An introduction to the fundamental principles of biological activity and scientific methodology. Lecture and laboratory. Lab fee. Offered Fall and Spring Terms.
BIO190 or instructor approval.
First-Year Seminars constitute a common and academically significant experience in a student’s first year at Converse University. All incoming first- year students are required to take a 3-credit hour FYS in the fall semester, choosing from a variety of discipline specific topics. Each FYS carries the corresponding departmental prefix, but with the common course number (except for designated honors sections). Each FYS course is designed to have no more than 18 students, and counts in some designated category of the General Education Program. Strong writing and speaking components are required elements of the course.
This is a 3-credit lecture course linked to Student Success Seminar (1-credit hour). It is designed to explore the contributions of people of color to biology. It will begin with an in-depth view of skin colors then shift to the contributions of ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Ethiopia, and Mali. From there, it will move to early advances in countries such as Ghana, India, and China. Then it will venture into modern advancements. Along the way we will look at individuals of color and what they have contributed to the vast world of biology.
Four hour course will have a laboratory component. Some offerings may be eligible for major or minor credit. Selected topics in introductory level biology. Special topic: Human Nutrition will meet the GEP requirement for wellness. Lab Fee.
BIO190 or AP Biology credit.
Not accepted for major or minor credit. A study of a selected subject within the discipline, which will vary from term to term. The course is designed to encourage student participation in the intellectual processes through class discussion, research and writing, special projects, problem solving and evaluation and defense of positions. When the subject matter duplicates that of another course, credit toward graduation will be granted for only one of the courses. Offered periodically in rotation with seminars in other disciplines. Lab fee.
BIO 190 or consent of the instructor.
BIO 190 or consent of the instructor.
BIO 190 or equivalent.
BIO 191 and CHM 190 or consent of the instructor.
BIO 190.
BIO 191 or its equivalent, either BIO 310 or 312, and CHM 203.
BIO 301. Junior or senior class standing is recommended.
BIO 190 and one additional biology major course.
BIO 191 or its equivalent and either BIO 202 or 203 or permission of the instructor.
A comparative study of the origin, structure, and function of organ systems of humans and other selected vertebrates. The gross anatomy of organ systems in relation to their functions are studied. Laboratory includes a hands-on approach to the identification of anatomical structures. Lecture and laboratory. Lab fee. Offered Spring Term. Students may not receive academic credit for both BIO 205 or BIO 305.
BIO 191 or its equivalent.
BIO 191 or its equivalent.
BIO 191 or its equivalent.
BIO 191 or its equivalent and CHM 203.
BIO 191 or its equivalent; one of BIO 202, 203 and 310; and CHM 203.
BIO 191 or its equivalent; one of 301, 310 and 312; and CHM 203.
Selected topics in advanced biological study. Lab Fee.
BIO 191 or its equivalent and consent of the instructor.
At the end of this course students will acquire an understanding of tissue culture, molecular biology, cell biology, toxicology, and molecular genetic laboratory techniques that are required to carry out tasks in biomedical laboratories. The course will cover principles of these techniques as well as practical applications.
Major, Minor, Elective credit.
BIO 191 and one additional major level course or consent of the instructor.
BIO 191 or its equivalent and either BIO 202 or 203.
BIO 191 or its equivalent; one of BIO 301, 310, and 312; and CHM 203.
BIO 310 and CHM 203.
BIO 190 or its equivalent and one of BIO 202 or 203.
BIO 191 or its equivalent and either BIO 202 or 203 or consent of the instructor.
BIO 191 or its equivalent and completion of two additional biology courses.
A special course to afford the student practical work experience for academic credit. Open to juniors and seniors with an adequate background in biology. A journal and oral report of the internship are required. Credit and work to be arranged according to the experience desired. Pass/fail grading.
BIO 190 or its equivalent and consent of instructor.
BIO 191 or its equivalent and consent of the instructor.
BIO 191 or its equivalent and consent of the instructor.
BIO 391 or consent of the instructor.
BIO 191 or its equivalent, senior class standing, approval by the department, and consent of the instructor.
An introduction to the environment as it relates to humans. This interdisciplinary course explores the way that humans impact and are impacted by their natural environment.
An introduction to the environment as it relates to humans. This interdisciplinary course explores the way that humans impact and are impacted by their natural environment. Students may not receive credit for this class and ENV 101. Non-lab science course.