Welcome to the biology major. We hope that this handbook will be helpful whether you already have chosen or are considering a biology major. We have tried to collect in one place information on major and minor requirements, courses being offered, considerations for career options, and other useful information. Biology is a very exciting, very active field, with new research tools leading to new understanding at an amazing rate. You should take advantage of your years at Washington University to sample broadly from the courses offered, to seek research and work opportunities that allow you to test your career ideas, and to build the habits of a life-long learner. No other field is changing so rapidly. No matter what area of the life sciences you choose as a focus, the future is likely to be exciting, and different.
A biology major can prepare you for a broad range of careers, not limited to those discussed here. However, the level of expertise desired is increasing; careful planning will help you to make the most of your time here at WU. An interdisciplinary approach often can be quite useful, but again requires careful planning. In choosing courses to fulfill the various requirements, you should try to shape a coherent program that best serves your individual interests and needs. Your advisor can help you; always discuss both your short-term and long-term goals at your advising sessions. The following information should help you to prepare for advising. We have done our best to make this handbook complete and up-to-date, but no "warranty" should be assumed or implied. When in doubt consult your advisor, the Biology Department Office, or the University Registrar as appropriate. There has been no more exciting time to study the life sciences. Your studies here will be demanding, but should also be exciting to you, with numerous opportunities to explore new ideas about how the living world functions.
The NSLC became fully functional in August of 1995. The center was created out of previously unused space on the ground floor of the Life Sciences Building, close to the library and other teaching labs. It occupies approximately 2000 sq. ft. of space and includes a student lounge, a computer classroom, five tutorial rooms, and the office for David Heyse. The Center is designed to be a "home base" for our freshman and sophomore students who are taking Bio 296 (Fundamentals of Biology I), Bio 297 (Fundamentals of Biology II), and Bio 3051 (Fundamentals of Biology III): Genetics.
A second use of NSLC is to bring together information on careers, internships and research programs of interest to freshmen and sophomores majoring in Biology. This information is displayed and kept on file in the NSLC.
The NSLC is located in Room 136-143 on the ground floor of the Life Sciences building. Hours are Monday - Thursday 9 am - midnight, Friday 9 am -6 pm, and Sunday 12 noon - midnight. Visit our homepage at http://www.nslc.wustl.edu for more information about NSLC, Biology Courses, Student Research Opportunities, Biology Majors and the Biology Department; the WWW version of this Handbook can also be found at the NSLC homepage.
This booklet has been compiled by the Curriculum Committee of the Department
of Biology, Washington University. Our thanks to Sandeep Pulim for the cover
art, Sidney Harris for the use of his apt cartoons, and Marti Shafer and
June Manning for editorial assistance. Web page created by David Heyse at
the Natural Sciences Learning Center
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