The biology curriculum is designed to provide students with biological knowledge and to develop scientific skills as part of their liberal arts education. Included in those skills are the abilities to conduct and interpret scientific research and to successfully communicate scientific information both verbally and in writing. The faculty believes these objectives can best be attained through a balanced core curriculum in biology and a diverse array of elective coursework, both of which include active lab and field experiences. The biology major prepares students for graduate or professional programs and for careers such as secondary biology education, government service, or private sector employment. The biology discipline also offers a variety of 10XX courses that are designed specifically for students seeking to fulfill general education requirements in science. Objectives The biology discipline is designed to: • Provide students a broad base of fundamental biological knowledge in evolution, genetics, cell and molecular biology, the diversity of life, and ecology. • Provide students in our upper-level electives detailed knowledge in specific sub-disciplines including experience collecting and interpreting data in both the field and laboratory. • Advance student skills in written and oral communication of biological information. • Prepare and encourage students to conduct undergraduate research at UMM or at other institutions. • Prepare students for postgraduate education in biological research and health-related programs, and/or a variety of careers in biology, including secondary education. • Provide discipline-specific courses for non-majors to serve UMM’s general education requirements. Learning Outcomes The curriculum is designed to ensure that students in biology will: • Have sufficiently broad training to apply biological knowledge in a wide range of professional and research settings. • Recognize evolution as the unifying theme for all of biology and be able to view biological information and questions in an evolutionary context. • Be able to apply knowledge of chemistry, statistics, and mathematics to biological systems. • Understand the global nature of biological issues while cultivating a sense of place through the study of regional species and ecological systems. • Be able to seek answers to biological questions through developing and executing scientific inquiry in the field or laboratory setting and by querying biological literature. • Be able to synthesize and clearly articulate scientific information via written and oral communication. • Be aware of ethical considerations related to biological research and have the necessary training to conduct work in a safe and sustainable manner. Teacher Preparation Requirements Students seeking teaching licensure in life sciences 9-12 should refer to the Education, Secondary (GenEd) section of this catalog.

Courses may not be taken S-N unless offered S-N only. Up to 5 credits of coursework with a grade of D or D+ may be used to meet the major requirements if offset by an equivalent number of credits of A or B in the major. A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required in the major in order to graduate. The GPA includes all, and only, University of Minnesota coursework. Grades of "F" are included in GPA calculation until they are replaced. Biology majors are advised to complete their chemistry and mathematics requirements as early as possible. All majors should have their programs approved by a biology advisor by the beginning of their junior year.