Curriculum
Biology is a diverse area of study. Understanding and connecting these diverse ideas requires a strong foundation in mathematics, chemistry and physics, and advance coursework that covers the breadth of Biology: cells and molecules, ecology and evolution, the systems that make living things work, as well as knowledge of the full diversity of organisms.
Juniata's Biology curriculum begins with two introductory courses that cover four basic cores areas:
- evolution/ecology
- organismal
- cell and molecular
- interactions (e.g. circulation, senses, etc. in plants and animals)
Labs
Two semesters of introductory lab are designed to introduce students to the concepts and laboratory techniques that are the basis of study of any biological area: electrophoresis of DNA and proteins, microscopy, and genetics.
Interdisciplinary Study
Recognizing that a firm understanding of chemistry is essential to practicing biology, all biology students are required to complete a minimum of three semesters of chemistry: the introductory Organic Concepts I and II courses (and the accompanying laboratory courses) and Bioinorganic Chemistry.
The interdisciplinary nature of Biology results in large enrollments (140-160 students) in the Introductory Biology courses. Freshman seminar, taken by students in the second semester, gives students the opportunity to meet with a Biology faculty member in small groups for an hour each week.
The introductory biology course work is completed in Biology III, which emphasizes energy balance and use in biological systems.