Biology
The biology program will produce biologists with the chemistry, mathematics, and physics background needed to solve biotechnological problems in the coming decades. Those students wishing to strengthen their engineering skills can earn the minor in biomedical engineering.
The twenty-first century will see unparalleled advances in the biological sciences that will greatly impact the way we live. The areas of functional genomics and proteomics will drive discoveries in molecular medicine, gene therapy, and tissue engineering. Drug discovery will be facilitated by the elucidation of new target molecules and many pharmaceutical compounds will be produced using biological processes. Environmental management, remediation, and restoration will also advance as a result of new techniques and perspectives that emerge from the century of biology. Biologists will be at the forefront of the advances that will drive progress in medical, agricultural, environmental, and related industries.
The biology program will equip biologists with the deep biological understanding along with chemistry, mathematics, and physics background needed to solve biotechnological problems in the coming decades. The program will prepare graduates for professional careers in government and industrial research laboratories, and in the biotechnology and health-related industries. Those wishing to continue their studies in graduate or health professions programs will be exceptionally well qualified to do so.
Below is a sample plan of study that illustrates one way to achieve the program requirements. Any given student's plan of study may differ based on a variety of factors (e.g., advanced credit, placement exams, adding a minor). Enrolled students will work with their academic advisor; utilize the degree audit/planner to create a specific plan of study.
Math requirements in BIO can be satisfied via one of the following course sequences:
Sequence 1 (Probability and Statistics Focus)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MA 223 | Engineering Statistics | 4 |
| MA 482 | Biostatistics | 4 |
| MA 485 | Applied Linear Regression | 4 |
| or MA 487 | Design of Experiments | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Sequence 2 (Modeling Focus)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MA 221 | Matrix Algebra & Differential Equations I | 4 |
| MA 222 | Matrix Algebra & Differential Equations II | 4 |
| MA 223 | Engineering Statistics | 4 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required BIO courses | 52 | |
| BIO electives | 12 | |
| Free electives | 8 | |
| Required CSSE | 4 | |
| HSSA electives | 24 | |
| Required HSSA | 12 | |
| Required MA, CHEM, PH | 59 | |
| RHIT 100 | Foundations for Rose-Hulman Success (Required) | 1 |
| Sci/Tech electives | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 188 | |
Below is a sample plan of study that illustrates one way to achieve the program requirements. Any given student's plan of study may differ based on a variety of factors (e.g., advanced credit, placement exams, adding a minor). Enrolled students will work with their academic advisor; utilize the degree audit/planner to create a specific plan of study.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| BIO 130 | Evolution & Diversity | 4 |
| MA 111 | Calculus I | 5 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 111L | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| RHIT 100 | Foundations for Rose-Hulman Success | 1 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Winter | ||
| BIO 110 | Cell Structure and Function | 4 |
| MA 112 | Calculus II | 5 |
| CHEM 113 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 113L | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
| HUM H190 | First-Year Writing Seminar | 4 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO 120 | Comparative Anatomy & Physiology | 4 |
| CSSE 120 | Introduction to Software Development | 4 |
| MA 113 | Calculus III | 5 |
| HSSA Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIO 210 | Mendelian & Molecular Genetics | 4 |
| CHEM 251 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 251L | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| PH 111 | Physics I | 4 |
| PH 111L | Physics I Lab | 0 |
| MA 223 | Engineering Statistics | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| BIO 220 | Microbiology | 4 |
| CHEM 252 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 252L | Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
| PH 112 | Physics II | 4 |
| PH 112L | Physics II Lab | 0 |
| ENGL H290 | Technical & Professional Communication | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO 230 | Cell Biology | 4 |
| CHEM 330 | Biochemistry I | 4 |
| Math Elective | 4 | |
| HSSA Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIO 320 | Ecology | 4 |
| BIO Elective | 4 | |
| HSSA Elective | 4 | |
| BIO 399 | Practice of Science | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| BIO 330 | Evolutionary Biology | 4 |
| BIO 496 | Senior Thesis Research I | 2 |
| CHEM 331 | Biochemistry II | 4 |
| Math Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO 310 | Plant Structure & Function | 4 |
| BIO 497 | Senior Thesis Research II | 4 |
| PHIL H201 | Bioethics | 4 |
| HSSA Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIO 498 | Senior Thesis Research III | 4 |
| Science/Technical Elective | 4 | |
| Science/Technical Elective | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| BIO 499 | Senior Thesis Research IV | 2 |
| Science/Technical Elective | 4 | |
| BIO Elective | 4 | |
| HSSA Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO Elective | 4 | |
| Science/Technical Elective | 4 | |
| HSSA Elective | 4 | |
| HSSA Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 188 | |
Notes
A biology Science/Technical Elective is any Rose-Hulman course that does not have an HSSA Department course prefix or have the prefix AS, MS, or GRAD. At least two of these courses must be 300-level or above.
A BIO Elective is any Rose-Hulman course with a BIO prefix at 400-level or above or the following three BE courses: BE 314 Musculoskeletal Systems Physiology with Applications, BE 324 Neural and Endocrine Systems Physiology with Applications, and BE 334 Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Renal Systems Physiology with Applications.
Biology Learning Objectives
Upon graduation, Rose-Hulman Biology students will be able to
- identify questions of interest to the scientific community.
- develop and implement a strategy to answer open-ended questions or achieve a goal through scientific investigation or experimentation.
- develop evidence-based conclusions through a process of informed evaluation and judgement.
- communicate with a range of audiences through a variety of media.
- demonstrate integrity with respect to ethical and professional responsibilities.
- exhibit growth as a person and professional using appropriate learning strategies.
- use examples from molecules to ecosystems to illustrate core concepts of biology.