- Required Biology Courses (20-23 Credits)
- Biology 101, 101L, 102, and 102L
- Four credits from each of the following categories of upper-level electives:
- Organismal Biology
- Ecology/Evolution
- At least four additional credits in Biology and/or BBMB at the 200-level or above
- Three credits of Biology 490 or 498 (or three credits of Geology 480, 490, or 498)
- Required Geology Courses (26-29 Credits)
- One introductory course plus lab, chosen from:
- Geology 110 and 111
- Geology 120 and 121
- Geology 125 and 126
- Geology 227, 270, 350, and 358
- Geology 312 or 368
- Geology 301, 321, or 405
- Three credits of Geology 480, 490, or 498 (or three credits of Biology 490 or 498)
- During senior year: Geology 470
- One introductory course plus lab, chosen from:
- Required Supporting Science Courses (14-18 Credits)
- Chemistry 125, 126, 135, and 136; or 140
- Chemistry 245
- Mathematics 124 or 125
- Mathematics 126 or a statistics course (Mathematics 128 or 247, Economics 227, Psychology 210, or Sociology 208)
- Senior Requirements
- Geology 470
- Three credits of Biology 490 or 498 or Geology 480, 490, or 498
- Senior assessment:
- Comprehensive written exams in both Biology and Geology
- One-hour oral exam by Biology and Geology faculty
- Honors
- Students do not apply for admission to candidacy for honors.
- If thesis is in Geology, students must submit a proposal for their thesis or project within the first six weeks of the two-semester period in which the student is eligible.
- Accumulated at least 87 credits
- Completed two semesters of residency at Whitman
- Major GPA of at least 3.500
- Complete a written thesis or research project prepared exclusively for the satisfaction of this program (either Biology or Geology).
- Earn a grade of at least A- on the honors thesis.
- Pass the senior assessment with distinction.
- Chairs of the departments will notify the Registrar of students attaining honors no later than the beginning of the 12th week of the semester.
- An acceptable digital copy of the Honors Thesis must be submitted to Penrose Library no later than Reading Day.
Total Credits
63-67