Bachelor of Science in Biology

What we do

Every student in Biology becomes a member of our community of scholars, working closely together with faculty and peers to advance the field of biology and develop a lifelong interest in science.

The curriculum emphasizes learning by doing. Unlike the traditional approach of separating lecture and lab sections of courses, Landmark College lab courses integrate those experiences in a modular approach that provides opportunities for students to construct knowledge for themselves.

Students will develop laboratory techniques prior to engaging in internship experiences, either with an industry partner or as part of a faculty member’s research, intentionally enriching professional behaviors and enhancing collaboration.

The B.S. in Biology program culminates in a capstone experience that allows students to work in partnership with faculty in their research.

Students have opportunities to gain additional science experience and skills.

The Landmark College Science faculty have been involved in research opportunities in partnership with

• Vermont Genetics Network
• Vermont EPSCoR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research)
• Vermont Biomedical Research Network
• Local agencies such as the Putney Conservation Commission.

These projects provide individual research opportunities for students related to the fields of biotechnology, forest ecology, wildlife management and tracking, long-term ecological data analysis, aquatic pollution, genetic disorders, and animal physiology.

Other research and co-curricular activities include the creation and establishment of Tree Campus USA status and the development of long-term ecological monitoring sites on campus and adjacent natural areas.

In addition to the mentoring and research activities, student clubs involved in sustainability, gardening, and the environment have all been formed over the past few years and are growing in popularity.

Internships with area firms, healthcare facilities, environmental organizations, and laboratories offer added opportunities to develop and apply skills in a professional setting.

Recent internships include:

• Veterinary clinic intern
• Vermont Genetics Network undergrad summer researcher
• Putney Conservation Commission intern
• Gardening and preserving intern
• Assessment statistician
• Physical education and sports management intern
• Virtual reality engineer and lab assistant
• Data analyst

The college has partnerships with the following organizations that offer neurodiverse-friendly, supportive workforce and internship programs:

• Broad Futures
• Dynamy
• Disability IN
• Neurodiversity Pathways

Why Biology?

Virtually every new medical advancement, invention, or solution to our economic, environmental, and social problems has a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) connection.

A degree in Biology is the gateway to many of today's and tomorrow’s fastest growing careers, including biotechnology, health care/health sciences, environmental sciences, chemistry/biochemistry, and pharmaceuticals.

For more information, please visit the Career Connections webpage.

To earn the B.S. in Biology degree, students must complete 121 credits:

• 58 - 61 credits of major required courses
  • 39 major required credits
  • 19 major required credits that also count toward general education
• 21 additional credits to complete the general education requirements
• 39 - 42 credits of general electives (22 - 23 must be at the 3000/4000 level)

Major Requirements (58 - 61 credits)

• BIO1521 Principles of Biology I 
• BIO1522 Principles of Biology II 
• BIO2071 ST: Biotechnology Lab Techniques 
• BIO3031 ST: Evolution 
• BIO3051 ST: Cell and Molecular Biology OR BIO3XXX Genetics
• BIO4000 ST: Life Sci Capstone 
• BIO4011 ST: Research Methods and Design 
• CHE1521 Principles of Chemistry I 
• CHE1522 Principles of Chemistry II 
• CHE2011 Organic Chemistry 
• MAT1641 College Algebra 
• MAT2621 Applied Statistics 
• NSC3011 Writing in the Sciences OR WRT3011 Advanced Writing 
• Science-focused Alternative Experience
• Science Electives Requirement
  • Students take two 2000+ level courses in BIO, ECO, ENV, NSC, or HTH
  • Students take one 3000 - 4000 level course in BIO, CHE, ECO, ENV, NSC, or HTH

Additional General Education Requirements

• WRT1011 Composition and Rhetoric OR WRT1008 Writing Process & Practice Part 2
• WRT1012 Research and Analysis
• EDU1011 Perspectives in Learning
• COM1011 Intro to Communication OR COM1021 Interpersonal Comm OR COM1071 Public Speaking
• Humanities distribution elective
• Social Science distribution elective
• Creativity distribution elective

General Electives: 39 - 42 credits (22 - 23 at the 3000/4000 level)

121 Total Credits

Upon completion of the B.S. in Biology degree, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of atomic structure and chemical interactions, and apply this knowledge to biological processes. 
• Illustrate the relationship between structure and function from the atomic to the organismal level. 
• Defend the primacy of evolution by means of natural selection as the main mechanism generating biological diversity. 
• Articulate the many interactions between biological, chemical, and physical variables in ecosystems
• Investigate scientific questions and phenomena using the scientific mode of inquiry. 
• Evaluate relevant literature to explore a scientific question or topic. 
• Present scientific concepts in a format appropriate to a specific audience
• Demonstrate advanced proficiency with an array of laboratory-based skills and techniques. 
• Assess scientific data using quantitative reasoning and statistical tools.