Major Requirements
The Department of Biology introduces biology majors and other students to the concepts and role of biology as an integrative science helping them to discover and interpret the characteristics of nature as part of God’s creation. Biology majors are expected to comprehend and integrate biological principles at the molecular, cellular, organismal, population, and ecosystem levels in order to be prepared to teach, enter the health professions, pursue graduate work, or enter the biotechnology industry. Biology majors and students who take the general education component of the biology curriculum are expected to understand the concepts and processes of biology as a scientific discipline. The Department of Biology aids students in the development of both Christian and biological perspectives for their careers and practices as stewards of God’s creation.
The biology faculty members maintain ongoing research projects and encourage students to participate in their collaborative research groups. Research experiences are designed to provide students with opportunities to play a significant role in the processes of scientific investigation with the goal of contributing to current scientific knowledge and the opportunity to be published as co-authors. Active participation in these experiences develops the student's understanding of the processes and limitations of science, encourages critical thinking skills, and improves their ability to better evaluate published scientific reports. Students who are interested in participating in research should contact the Biology Department office or individual faculty members.
Students who complete a Biology major are granted a Bachelor of Science degree unless they request a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Biology major requirements
36 hours of Biology including
BIOL 241 Organization of Life: Genetics and Cell Biology (4)
BIOL 242 Diversity of Life: An Introduction to Zoology and Botany (4)
BIOL 243 Processes of Life: Ecology and Evolution (4)
BIOL 252 Modeling the Systems of Life - a research methods course taken in the sophomore year (4)
BIOL 356 Genetics (4)
BIOL 494 The Integrated Biologist (2) - Senior capstone.
Totaling 22 hours
and 14 hours of electives including at least one course from each of three course clusters:
Organization of Life (Cellular)
BIOL 331 Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 358 Techniques in Recombinant DNA
BIOL 362 Cell and Developmental Biology
BIOL 364 Microbiology and Immunology
BIOL 374 Bioinformatics
Diversity of Life (Organisms)
BIOL 343 Plant Taxonomy
BIOL 344 Economic Botany
BIOL 364 Microbiology and Immunology
BIOL 365 Marine Biology
BIOL 368 Invertebrate Biology
BIOL 372 Field Zoology
Processes of Life (Systems)
BIOL 321 Human Physiology
BIOL 332 Anatomy and Physiology II
BIOL 341 Plant Physiology
BIOL 362 Cell and Developmental Biology
BIOL 365 Marine Biology
BIOL 482 Conservation Biology
*The same course may not be used to meet the requirements for more than one cluster.
16 hours of supporting courses are also required:
A student majoring in biology is required to develop a sound understanding of chemical processes as well as biological processes. This requirement is fulfilled in one of two ways: (1) by completion of CHEM 236, CHEM 237, and CHEM 341 and CHEM 342 or (2) by completion of CHEM 221, CHEM 222, CHEM 241, and an additional course in science.
Students may register for biology elective credit in cooperative programs such as courses provided by the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area (ACCA) or the Morton Arboretum.
Students interested in health professions may take the following courses among their 14 hours electives: BIOL 331 Anatomy and Physiology I, BIOL 332 Anatomy and Physiology II, or BIOL 362 Cell and Developmental Biology, and BIOL 364 Microbiology and Immunology.
Biology faculty are prepared to advise students regarding courses that will best prepare them for graduate programs, health professions, or other career objectives.
Requirements for a major with a biotechnology emphasis are BIOL 241, BIOL 242, BIOL 243, BIOL 252, BIOL 356, and BIOL 494 and 14 hours of electives that must include BIOL 362 Cell and Developmental Biology, BIOL 364 Microbiology and Immunology, and BIOL 374 Bioinformatics. Chemistry requirements are the same as those for the biology major. Additional recommended courses are BIOL/PHIL 317 Biomedical Ethics (2), BIOL/CHEM 461 Biochemistry, and CSCI 235 Programming I.
Requirements for a minor in Biology are 20 hours, including BIOL 241, BIOL 242, and BIOL 243 and 8 hours recommended by a student’s advisor and approved by the Biology Department in accordance with the student’s goals.
Cross-referenced courses cannot be used for the minor in Biology and cannot be counted toward a Biology major if they are included in the major or minor program of another department.
Description of biology courses are listed on the course listing page.
Honors in Biology
An honors program in the biology department requires at least six hours of biological research credit or its equivalent, an overall GPA of 3.5 and a biology GPA of 3.7 (supporting courses may also be considered in the biology GPA).
The research requirement can be met by either:
(1) six credits in BIOL 495 or
(2) a research experience off campus* or as a Summer Researcher at Wheaton.
In either case, communication of results in a publishable paper (in preparation, in review, or in press) or communication of results at a scientific meeting (NCUR, CUR, ACCA, or any professional society meeting) or an equivalent professional accomplishment as determined by the Department of Biology is also required.
Participation in departmental and college activities also is considered in awarding of departmental honors. An application for honors consideration in biology can be obtained from the departmental office. Application for honors must be made by March 30 of the student’s senior year or by October 30 for a December graduation.
*Approval of the off-campus research must be granted by the department prior to the experience in order to receive BIOL 495 credit or for inclusion of the experience as a consideration for honors.
See awards in Biology
Teaching Certification by the State of Illinois
The National Science Teachers Association has given national
recognition to our secondary science education program at Wheaton.
Wheaton College has been given accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the National Science Teachers Association. This helps ensure that Wheaton graduates will be awarded certification in any state they chose.
In coordination with the Education Department, Biology majors can meet the requirements for teacher certification at the elementary and secondary level.
Requirements for teacher certification by the State of Illinois in biology may be met by completing 26 hours of courses in biology consisting of BIOL 241, 242, 243, 252, 321, 364, and 494, and by completing 24 hours of supporting courses consisting of CHEM 221, CHEM 222, CHEM 241, GEOL 221, PHYS 221, ASTR 301 or ASTR 302, and SCI 321. CHEM 236 and CHEM 237 may be substituted for CHEM 221 and 222.
A Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is available with a Biology major. A Combined Bachelor's/MAT program may be completed in six years and one summer. See the Education section in the catalog.