BA.BI.GE - Biology-Geology (Major)

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

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.

Notes

• No courses taken P-D-F may be applied toward the Biology component of the Biology-Geology major, including all required Biology courses and all required Supporting Science courses in Chemistry and Quantitative.

• No required Geology courses may be taken P-D-F after declaration of the major.