Department Chair:
Dr. Valerie Haftel (Professor)
Faculty:
Dr. Lawrence Blumer (Professor);Dr. Dwann Davenport (Assistant Professor); Dr. Jeffrey Handy (Assistant Professor); Dr. John Haynes (Professor); Dr. Triscia Hendrickson (Professor); Dr. Joseph McCray (Associate Professor); Dr. Alexandra Peister (Associate Professor); Dr. Wallace Sharif (Associate Professor NTT); Dr. Ethell Vereen (Assistant Professor)
Program overview:
The Academic Program in Biology seeks to educate students to think and communicate logically and effectively, and to assume responsibility for their continued education, whether formal or informal.
Considerable emphasis is placed on preparing students for graduate work in various areas of biology.
This is facilitated through formal courses, including laboratories and seminars in a broad range of subjects, that explore biological principles, concepts and processes. Because biology is an experimental science, our program provides opportunities for students to participate in course-based and mentored research during the academic year and summer.
The program recognizes a particular responsibility to prepare students for careers in medicine, dentistry and other health professions, and cooperates with other academic programs to provide a strong foundation for these professions. Part of that responsibility also extends to preparing students for careers in biomedical research.
After graduating, recent biology-major alumni have started careers as:
- Research scientists in the biological, biomedical, environmental, or public health sciences (typically after completing the M.S. or Ph. D degree in graduate school). Such careers may be in academia, industry, or government sectors.
- Healthcare professionals, after completing professional school (medical or dental school, physician assistant’s program, nursing, or physical therapy program).
- Teachers, after completing a graduate program in education.
- Policy experts or advocates, usually after completing a graduate program in an appropriate scientific discipline.
- Entrepreneurs
Student learning outcomes:
- Students will have learned both the fundamental processes of biological systems and advanced knowledge of biology.
- Students will be able to design and conduct biologically meaningful experiments.
- Students will be able to use their knowledge of the interdisciplinary nature of biology to analyze biological problems.
- Students’ verbal and written communication skills will have improved, including scientific writing and professional public speaking.
- Students will be able to apply quantitative reasoning skills to biological problems.
- Students’ critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills will have improved.
- Students will be able to describe how knowledge of Biology is important in addressing and solving societal problems.
Department policies and/or General Education modifications:
- HBIO 111 , HBIO 112 and HBIO 114 are the three core introductory courses required for all Biology Majors. Students may start with either HBIO 111 or HBIO 114 and either is a pre-requisite for HBIO 112 .
- A grade of C or better is required for majors to satisfactorily complete all Biology core courses, cognate courses, laboratory courses, and Biology electives.
- Introductory core courses each have a co-requisite laboratory that must be taken simultaneous with the lecture course.
- Double-dipping between required and elective courses in the Major in Biology and other majors and minors is permitted without restriction.
- Advanced laboratory courses (HBIO 200-level and greater) must be taken concurrently with their associated lecture course.
- Not more than one Public Health Sciences course may be taken as a Biology elective.
- Students must complete the introductory core courses in Biology and their co-requisite laboratories prior to enrolling in upper-level (HBIO 200+) courses.
- Some advanced courses (200-level or greater) in Chemistry and Psychology at Morehouse may be accepted as Major in Biology electives with permission of the Chair of Biology.
- With prior approval of the Chair of Biology, as many as 2 biology elective courses may be taken at other institutions during the academic year or summer.
- Students planning to pursue advanced professional studies (medical or dental school) or a graduate degree program are strongly advised to consult with their academic advisor, the Office of Health Professions, the Office of Science Training, or directly with the programs they wish to pursue to ensure that appropriate courses are taken beyond the minimum requirements to complete the Major in Biology.
Advanced Placements Credits
A student who has successfully completed an AP Biology course in high school and scored at least four (4) on the Advanced Placement Test in Biology administered by the College Board will, upon consultation with the Chair, be exempted from the first semester of our core introductory courses (Cell and Molecular Biology HBIO 111) and will receive four hours of credit.
Departmental Honors
A student majoring in biology may be recommended for departmental honors by completing the following requirements: eligibility for college honors, an average of B or above in the required biology courses and electives, and successful completion of a research project which is described in a senior thesis and defended before the department faculty in a seminar. In cases where the thesis adviser is at another institution, students must have a co-sponsor from the Morehouse Biology faculty. Application deadlines and detailed guidelines are available from the Department Chair. The requirements for honors in biology are subject to change as the faculty review these criteria.
