BA.BI.EN - Biology-Environmental Studies (Major)

Total credit requirements for a Biology-Environmental Studies major: 66 (including 27 credits in Biology, 14 credits in supporting Science, and 25 credits in required coursework for all Environmental Studies majors)

Common Requirements for all Environmental Studies Majors

• Required Courses

  • Introductory Coursework: Environmental Studies 120 and 207

  • Foundation Coursework: Fulfill the following requirements for the two areas outside of your area of concentration (arts and humanities, natural and physical sciences, or social sciences).

    • Environmental Humanities: Take two elective courses from the list below.

    • Environmental Natural and Physical Sciences: Take 7 credits in elective courses from the list below from at least two departments, including at least one course with a lab.

    • Environmental Social Sciences: Take two elective courses from the list below.

  • Interdisciplinary Coursework: Take one interdisciplinary elective from the list below.

  • Senior Coursework: Environmental Studies 479

• Additional Requirements

  • Fulfill all of the requirements for a major in a specific area of concentration, chosen from:

    • Environmental Arts/Humanities: Art-Environmental Studies or Environmental Humanities

    • Environmental Natural and Physical Sciences: Biology-Environmental Studies, Chemistry-Environmental Studies, Geology-Environmental Studies, or Physics-Environmental Studies

    • Environmental Social Sciences: Anthropology-Environmental Studies, Economics-Environmental Studies, History-Environmental Studies, Politics-Environmental Studies, or Sociology-Environmental Studies

• Senior Requirements

  • Environmental Studies 479

  • Further requirements as specified by the chosen major

• Honors

  • Specified within each major

• Notes

  • Up to 8 transfer credits may be applied to a major in Environmental Studies.

  • No courses taken P-D-F can be applied toward the major.

Requirements for Biology-Environmental Studies Majors

• Complete the Common Requirements for all Environmental Studies Majors (25 Credits)

• Required Biology Courses

  • Biology 101, 101L, 102, and 102L

  • 3 credits of Biology 490 or 498

  • Biology 499

  • Upper-level electives (at least 3 credits must be taken at the 200-level before proceeding to coursework at the 300-level):

    • Three credits in Molecular/Cell Biology

    • Four credits in Organismal Biology

    • Eight credits in Ecology/Evolution

• Required Supporting Science Courses

  • Chemistry 125, 126, 135, and 136; or 140

  • Chemistry 245

  • Mathematics 124 or 125; or a course in statistics (Mathematics 128 or 247, Economics 227, Psychology 210, or Sociology 208)

• Senior Requirements

  • 3 credits of Biology 490 or 498

  • Biology 499

  • One-hour oral exam and a passing score on the senior written exam

• Honors

  • Students do not apply for admission to candidacy for honors.

  • 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.

  • Earn a grade of at least A- on the honors thesis or project and the honors thesis course.

  • Pass the senior assessment with distinction.

  • Chair of the department will notify the Registrar of students attaining honors no later than the beginning of Week 12.

  • An acceptable copy of the Honors Thesis must be submitted to Penrose Library no later than Reading Day.

• Notes

  • Courses in Physics are recommended.

  • No courses taken P-D-F may be applied toward the major.