As a first-year student, you'll take General Biology and General Chemistry in both the fall and spring semester.
In your first semester of General Biology, you'll explore topics in ecology and evolution through the study of local biodiversity. You'll be designing and executing a semester-long research project focusing on the conservation of a local threatened ecosystem, the sandplain forest, as well.
As they move farther along in the major, students will then have the ability to widen the range of their fieldwork while focusing more closely on particular subjects and issues that interest them. Those interested in Tropical Ecology, for example, might travel to Costa Rica to study the biodiversity of rainforests. We offer courses and research opportunities in a range of biological fields, including molecular biology, genetics, neurobiology, animal behavior, physiology, development biology, and ecology.
Up close and personal
You'll find that although biology is one of our most popular subjects, you'll get personal attention and career preparation and guidance from your professors from the very beginning. Our introductory biology courses for first-year majors have no more than 60 students in each lecture section, with 20 or fewer in each lab section.
Most upper-level biology lab classes have a maximum of 20 students per section, and seminar style classes will be smaller.
Biology Department-level Learning Outcomes
Students completing the Biology major will accomplish six learning goals that fall within three categories:
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1. frame testable hypotheses and predictions
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A) Science as a way of knowing
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2. design and execute investigations and perform analyses that address biological questions or problems
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3. communicate results of scientific investigations effectively, both orally and in writing
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B) Critical analysis and communication
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4. locate and understand appropriate literature in the biological sciences
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5. evaluate scientific arguments critically
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6 demonstrate knowledge of two unifying themes: evolution and emergent properties, and demonstrate knowledge of biological principles at all levels of organization– particularly cellular/molecular biology, organismal biology, and population biology/ecology
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C) Working Knowledge
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Biology Major Requirements
Biology Minor Requirements
If you score a 4 or 5 on the Biology AP test, you can apply those credits toward your graduation requirements, but students majoring in biology are required to take both Introduction to Ecology and Evolution (BI 151) and Introductory Cell Biology and Genetics (BI 153). The project-driven nature of these courses is very important in preparing students for the upper-level biology classes.
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B.S. University of New Hampshire
M.S. University of New Hampshire
Areas of Expertise:
Microbiology, Molecular biology
Courses I teach:
- lab sections of Genetics
- Microbes and Human Health (lab science course for students not majoring in the sciences)
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M.A., Ph.D. Princeton University
B.S. Manhattan College
Areas of Expertise:
Development and embryogenesis; cells; cell communication; cancer; evolution; evolutionary medicine; the connection between developmental biology and ecology and evolution; the history of science.
Courses I Teach:
- Cell Biology
- Communications in the Biological Sciences
- Developmental Biology
- Introduction to Cell Biology and Genetics
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Ph.D. Hominid Paleobiology, The George Washington University
M.A. Anthropology, Florida Atlantic University
B.S. Biology, Saint Michael's College
Areas of expertise
- Evolutionary biology
- Human evolution
- Evolution of the vertebrate skull and dentition
Courses taught
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Human Evolution
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Ph.D. Zoology, University of Georgia
M.S. Zoology, University of Vermont
B.S. Biology, University of Maine, Orono
Courses I Teach:
- Biological Communications
- Biology Senior Seminar
- Human and Comparative Physiology
- Introduction to Ecology and Evolution
- Ichthyology
Peter Hope, MS
Instructor of Biology
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B.A. Middlebury College
M.S. University of Vermont
Areas of Expertise:
Forest composition, dynamics and succession, fern systematics
Courses I Teach:
- Communications in the Biological Sciences
- Ecosystem Ecology
- Introduction to Ecology and Evolution
- Introduction to Cell Biology and Genetics
- Tropical Ecology
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B.S. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
M.S. University of Maryland
Areas of Expertise:
Entomology, Biological Control, Insect Agroecology, Sustainable Agriculture
Courses I Teach:
- Applied Insect Ecology
- Insects and Society
- Introduction to Cell Biology and Genetics
- Introduction to Ecology and Evolution
My Saint Michael's:
I have been conduction applied agricultural research on farms throughout Vermont since I moved here in 2006. My research has focused on biological control of agricultural pests through enhancing native natural enemy communities. More recently, I have brought my love for field-based research and passion for teaching into the classroom to benefit the students of Saint Michael's College and the University of Vermont.
Outside Saint Michael's:
I enjoy snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, and hiking with my two Bernese Mountain dogs, and cooking and eating great food.
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Harvard School of Public Health, Postdoctoral Fellow
Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Vermont
B.S., Biology, Hope College
Areas of Expertise:
Genetics, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology
Courses I Teach:
- BI153: Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
- BI205: Biological Communication
- BI223: Genetics
- BI315: Microbiology
- BI410: Senior Seminar: The Biology of Public Health
- BI420: Senior or Honors Research
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Postdoctoral degree, The University of Chicago, Department of Human Genetics
Ph.D., Duke University, Department of Biology & University Program in Genetics
B.A., Colby College, magna cum laude
Areas of Expertise
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics
- General Biology
Courses I Teach
- Fundamentals of Genetics
- Immunology and Parasitology in Genetics
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Post-Doctoral fellow in plant developmental genetics, The University of California: Berkeley
Ph.D., Microbiology, The University of Tennessee
B.S., Biology, Washington and Lee University
Area of Expertise:
I study how molecules are transported across membranes in plants and how these processes affect seed germination and overall distribution of sugars in plants.
Courses I Teach:
- BI153: Introductory Cell Biology and Genetics
- BI205: Biological Communications
- BI247: Plant Biology
- BI325: Molecular Biology
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B.A. Wheaton College
M.S. University of Vermont
Areas of Expertise:
Development of labratory experiments for introductory level courses
Courses I Teach:
- Introduction to Cell Biology and Genetics
- Introduction to Ecology and Evolution
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Ph.D. Ecology; University of Vermont
M.S., Ecology and Evolution; University of Pittsburgh
B.S., Biology; St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia
View my Curriculum Vitae
Areas of Expertise:
My primary area of expertise is in the community ecology of freshwater communities. My basic research is on the interactions among aquatic species, factors that affect diversity, and different ways to measure diversity. Currently I am working on an applied project focused on the effects of land use on invertebrates in Vermont's rivers.
Courses I Teach:
- Community Ecology
- Evolution
- General Biology
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Ph.D. Ohio University
B.A. University of Delaware
Career Timeline:
- 2010-Present Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Saint Michael’s College
- 2008-2009 Assistant Professor, Div. of Basic Pharm. Sciences, Xavier Univ., Coll. of Pharmacy
- 2007-2008 Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Xavier University of Louisiana
- 2005-2007 Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Washington, Otolaryngology Department
- 2002-2004 Postdoctoral Fellow, Emory University, Biology Department
- 1995-2002 Ph.D., Neuroscience Program, Ohio University
- 1990-1994 B.A., Biology and Psychology Double Major, University of Delaware
Areas of Expertise:
Neurobiology / Neuroscience; Neuron Networks; Computer Modeling; Comparative Biology; Electrophysiology; Biophysical Modeling
Courses I Teach:
- Communications in the Biological Sciences
- Human and Comparative Anatomy
- Introduction to Cell Biology and Genetics
- Neurobiology
Internships are a great way to help build valuable experience for potential jobs and further education, as well as a way to put your learning into action. Biology majors have several possible internships available, including positions related to human health (Vermont Health Department, the Vermont State Medical Examiner's Office); natural resources (the local office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service); environmental education (Shelburne Farms, ECHO); and medical research (University of Vermont College of Medicine).
Biology Research Opportunities
Our biology professors have a broad range of research interests, including aquatic biology, animal behavior, ecology, genetics, molecular biology, evolution, developmental biology and biology education. Our faculty are active researchers who have received major competitive grant awards from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, among others.
As importantly, they genuinely love to teach undergraduate students. Biology students will find many opportunities to perform research with faculty during the academic year or in the summers. Student researchers have been co-authors on professional publications and have presented their work at conferences locally, nationally and internationally, including at:
- Lake Champlain Research Consortium
- Vermont Genetics Network
- Posters on the Hill in Washington, DC
- American Society of Microbiologists in Boston
- North American Benthological Society in New Orleans
- International Maize Conference in Mexico City
- American Fisheries Society in Quebec City
- International Society of Limnology in Montreal
Biology Abroad
In recent years, 35% of Saint Michael's biology majors have had a study abroad experience - it's highly recommended.
However, it does require planning, so speak to your academic advisor during your first year so that you can get a plan in place that will allow you to study abroad.
Some study abroad programs offer courses that can be applied to the biology major, and may allow you to take courses not offered at Saint Michael's.
Saint Michael's College is also an affiliate member of the School for Field Studies, which provides semester-long and summer programs in natural resource ecology and management at its field stations in Costa Rica, Mexico, the Turks & Caicos Islands (in the eastern Caribbean), Australia and Kenya.
After graduation, our majors go on to careers like:
- Lab Technician
- Registered Dental Hygienist
- Clinical Research Coordinator
- Environmental Scientist
- Fishery Observer
- Health Care Associate
- Registered Nurse
Being a biology major at Saint Michael's is big step toward a rewarding science career. Our grads work in the fields of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Biological or chemical research labs, environmental consulting and conservation, and pharmaceutical labs.
Also, many graduates become science teachers.
If graduate school is in your plans, plan to be accepted - over 80% of our graduates who wish to go on to post-graduate studies are accepted.
Medical, dental, and veterinary schools accepting Saint Michael's biology graduates include:
- Dartmouth Medical School
- Laval University
- University of Vermont
- SUNY Buffalo
- Tufts University
- University of Pennsylvania
- New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
- University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine
- University of Dublin
Our graduates have also gone on into Masters and Ph.D. programs at strong research universities, including:
- Harvard University
- Dartmouth College
- Cornell University
- McGill University
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst
- University of Massachusetts-Medical Center
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Michigan State University
- Colorado State University