2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Biology
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Department Chairperson: Dr. Jonathan Visick
Biology Faculty
Mission Statement
The Biology Department strives for excellence in undergraduate education by providing a challenging and supportive environment for students to: i) understand and apply a broad range of biological principles; ii) develop critical thinking, investigative and communication skills through course work and collaborative research; and iii) become engaged, ethical scientists and citizens equipped to purposefully choose careers in an increasingly technological world.
Our challenging, inquiry-based, research-rich curriculum is deliberately designed to provide our students with the right tools for a bright future in any area of biology. Courses ranging from genes to organisms and cells to ecosystems give broad background yet allow specialization in a student’s area of interest and are complemented by an emphasis on hands-on inquiry. Many of our students continue their education in medical, graduate, dental or veterinary schools or in allied health fields such as nursing, pharmacology or physical therapy. Other graduates find employment in the field of education, or in conservation agencies, non-profit organizations and academic, industrial or government laboratories.
Degrees offered: B.A. and B.S.
Special Opportunities
Morton Arboretum — The College maintains this affiliation through the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area. Located nearby in Lisle, Illinois, Morton Arboretum offers courses in botany, soil science, ecology and related areas in which North Central students may enroll for credit. Specific courses are announced annually, with key courses repeating on a two-year cycle. Information is available from the Department of Biology. Registration is arranged through the Office of the Registrar.
Shedd Aquarium — The College maintains this affiliation through the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area. Located in downtown Chicago, the Shedd Aquarium is truly one of the world’s best aquariums and offers a variety of courses for credit in both freshwater and marine biology, some of which include trips to the Caribbean. Detailed information is available from the biology faculty. Registration is arranged through the Office of the Registrar.
ProgramsMajorMinorCoursesBiology
Nonmajors and students with minimal science backgrounds should take BIOL 104 , BIOL 106 , BIOL 107 , BIOL 108 or BIOL 109 . Students anticipating a major or minor in biology should start in BIOL 195 . Transfer students who have taken college biology should start in BIOL 205 .
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