A Guide for First-year Students

Notes for Fall 2007 Registration

• At this time, there are no more seats available for Biology 25L, 26L, 103L or 108L. There are upperclass students already waitlisted for these courses and, regretably, it is unlikely that a seat will open open up for you. Because these are lab courses, we cannot expand sections or add seats. Best to plan on taking these courses at a later time.

• If you are a prospective biology major or premed, then be sure that you are on track with chemistry and math courses before starting on biology courses. If your chemistry and math backgrounds are not strong, then it may be best to take math in the Fall and start chemistry in the Spring. Contact Dr. Lewis Blake in the Math department or Dr. James Bonk in the Chemistry department if you need assistance with placement.

• If you have a very strong AP background in both chemistry and biology, then you may consider taking Biology 118 as your first course in the Fall. However, we generally do not recommend Bio 118, 116 or 119 for first-semester courses. These are very rigorous and demanding courses and should be taken only when you are confident of your study skills and, preferably, after taking intro-level science courses at Duke.

• If you have previous college credit you wish to transfer to Duke then send your course description and other required information to the registrar's office (http://t-reqs.trinity.duke.edu/credit.html).   More information about credit earned prior to attending Duke can be found at http://t-reqs.trinity.duke.edu/credit.html . For questions, contact the Academic Advising Center (919-684-6217, advising@duke.edu) regarding procedures.

Considering a Major in Biology?

What kind of degree in Biology can I get?

The Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) in Biology is the liberal arts major program, appropriate for students planning a career in law, policy, or secondary school teaching. It requires math and chemistry only through Calculus I and introductory chemistry. Two semesters of introductory biology (BIO 25L & 26L) and eight upper- level courses are required. The upper-level courses include specific core courses as well as elective courses in biology and related biological sciences.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology is the degree recommended for students contemplating a career in biological or biomedical sciences. The B.S. degree requires Calculus II, organic chemistry, and physics corequisites. Two semesters of introductory biology (BIO 25L & 26L) and eight upper- level courses are required. The upper-level courses include specific core courses as well as elective courses in biology and related biological sciences.

See http://www.biology.duke.edu/undergrad/reqs/majorreqs2005.html for more information on course requirements.

A Minor in Biology is available. Several Areas of Concentration are also available to majors and minors. 

Can I get Advanced Placement in Biology?

Yes. An AP score of 4 or 5, or an IB score of 6 or 7, or GCE A-levels will give you credit for Biology 19 and will place you out of BIO 25L.   If you have requested that your AP scores be sent to Duke, but BIO 19 is not yet showing on your record, you can go ahead and register for an upper-level biology course if you are qualified and there is space available.

Advanced placement without credit is also possible if you have a strong background, but no AP score. More about placement by approval.

What BIO courses are available for freshmen?

Here are the courses for the major:
BIO 25L Principles of Biology (taught Fall and Spring) Introductory course for students planning to major or pursue undergraduate degrees in the life sciences. An integrated overview of biology covering basic principles of cell and molecular biology, metabolism, developmental biology, physiology, genetics, evolution and ecology.

BIO 26L Organismal Diversity (taught in Spring) Integrated survey of biological diversity covering all five kingdoms from an evolutionary and functional perspective. Prepared students with AP credit may substitute an advanced organismal diversity course (Bio 101, 102L, 126L, 140L, 141L, 142L, 143L, 176L, 220L, 222L or 224L).

*One diversity course, usually BIO 26L (either A or B), is required as a pre-requisite for the major. Students who are not going to major in biology, but are premed, predental, or prevet, will often skip BIO 26L and instead go into a 100-level course after BIO 25L (or BIO 19)

In addition, there are some interesting first year courses for non-majors, including BIO 42 (Life's Beginnings), BIO 43D (Ecology & Society), BIO 44 (Evolution & Society), BIO 46 (A.I.D.S. & Other Emerging Diseases), BIO 47 (Biology of Dinosaurs), BIO 48 (Genetics and Society), BIO 90 (Plants and Human Use), BIO 91 (Exploring the Green World) and BIO 49S & 93S seminars. You can take these courses, but they won't count toward your major or prehealth biology requirements!

What courses should I take in my first two years?

What you take depends on your preparation (see the table of suggested schedules). It is most important to have some exposure to math and chemistry before taking most upper-level Biology courses. It is also important to take an introductory Biology course (BIO 25L and BIO 26L - A or B) before starting the upper-level courses. Prepared students will take BIO 118, Genetics & Molecular Biology and another core (e.g., BIO 116, Ecology & Evolution) or second-level course (eg, BIO 119, Cell Biology) in their sophomore year. Sophomore year is also the time for organic chemistry and/or physics. If you are considering summer school, the summer after your first or second year is a good time to take physics.

*Note:   If you have not had calculus in high school, then check the math placement guidelines as you may need to start in Math 25L rather than Math 31 or 41.

*Note: CHM 152L is not required for the BIO major but is strongly recommended for most B.S. majors and is required for prehealth students.

Can I do research and independent study?

All biology majors are encouraged to pursue independent research in the biological sciences under the supervision or sponsorship of a faculty member. The faculty member may be in any Duke department, including Medical Center departments. You can register for independent study and receive a grade and academic credit for your research. Most students will complete at least one or two semesters of independent study during their junior or senior year, although some students begin in their second or even their first year. No credit can be awarded for paid work.

There is no limit on the number of semesters your can enroll in Independent Study, although there only two semesters of independent study can be counted towards the major. Independent Study will also satisfy one of the two laboratory course requirements for the major, as well as the Small Group Learning Experience (SGLE) requirement for graduation. Additionally, Independent Study can be used to satisfy the Curriculum 2000 requirement for a Research Course (R). Students may also request a Writing (W) code for an independent study with approval of their Research Supervisor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Many students will have their work published in the scientific literature and use their research as the basis for graduation with distinction. More info and registration procedures.

What kinds of study abroad programs are available?

Many Biology students will do at least one semester of Study Abroad, typically in their junior year. There are several programs that are especially popular with Biology majors. These include the fall and spring semester studying marine biology in Trinidad, Panama, and Singapore through the Duke Marine Lab , semester and summer programs studying tropical biology in Costa Rica, a summer course in Australian biogeography, and a semester program in savannah ecology of South Africa . In addition, there are many other study abroad programs that allow students the opportunity to take courses in biology. Moreover, the major in Biology is sufficiently flexible to allow students to take semester abroad with out any biology. For more information, visit the study abroad page.

Advising:

Can I talk to an advisor in Biology? Yes! Come by the Undergraduate Studies Office, Room 135 Biological Sciences Building, or contact the Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Ron Grunwald.

Help is also available from the Academic Advising Center (919-684-6217, advising@duke.edu).