Through elective options, students tailor their degree to specific professional interests and goals, including but not limited to: medical research, healthcare, education, communications, wildlife management, conservation, public service, environmental law, and academic science. As part of their program of study, students complete an independent capstone research project under the direct guidance of biology faculty. Students of sufficiently high academic standing who wish to pursue competitive careers in academia, medicine, or industry are encouraged to consider the?honors track.

All students completing the biology major will meet the following learning outcomes:

• Acquire a foundation of knowledge that includes the historical development of biological thought, cell theory, biogenesis, homeostasis, gene theory, and ecology. Evolution is stressed throughout the curriculum.

• Learn biology by doing biology. Students will acquire a basic set of laboratory skills. Also, throughout the curriculum, students will be given opportunities to perform independent research projects. Majors will learn to access and critique the primary literature, identify problems, design and implement appropriate procedures using technological tools, work independently or collaboratively, evaluate alternative solutions, and present the results of their work while using the language of the discipline.

• Explain the limitations of science and properly place biology among the sciences. Apply scientific thought processes to broader intellectual and social issues.