At a Glance
I’m interested in this field of study. Can you tell me more about it?
Supported by the Department of Natural Sciences of Pitzer and Scripps Colleges, the organismal biology major is like our general biology major, but more tailored for students interested in exploring biology at scales from organisms up to ecosystems. Many students with interests in physiology, morphology, evolution, or ecology choose this major.
What are some courses appropriate for first-year students interested in exploring this field of study?
We recommend that you start with introductory chemistry. For most students, this means taking KS CHEM 14 in fall semester of their first year followed by CHEM 15 in the spring. If you have strong high school training in chemistry (typically two years), you can opt to take the chemistry placement exam over the summer and, if you pass, complete CHEM 29: Introductory Chemistry in a single semester when it’s offered in the spring.
Most organismal biology majors start their coursework with BIOL 44, which focuses on evolution and ecology and is offered in the spring. We also recommend that any student who has not already completed a calculus class enroll in MATH 30 in their first year.
If I decide to major or minor in this field, are there certain courses that need to be taken in a specific sequence?
Yes, you must take CHEM 14 in the fall and CHEM 15 in spring, as well as PHYS 30 in the fall and PHYS 31 in spring, often during your sophomore year. The two semesters of BIOL 43 and BIOL 44 can be taken in either order, but they both must be completed before enrolling in upper-division biology courses.
Can students who major or minor in this field complete a second major or minor (as a double major or a major/minor combination)? If so, what are some common pairings?
Yes! Students often pair one of our biology-related majors with a major or minor in any number of other fields, including art, dance, or a language, to give just a few examples.
What other useful information should I know about this field of study?
Switching between the general biology, organismal biology, and environmental science majors is very straightforward, especially for students in their first few years. That means there’s no need to decide on a specific major right away; taking the foundational biology, chemistry, and math classes is the first step.
Scripps Catalog link to specific requirements for the major/minor:
https://catalog.scrippscollege.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=33&poid=4832
This major provides a research-and-field-oriented background for students interested in research careers in either physiology or ecology/evolution and their allied fields. For further information, consult with the organismal biology/ecology faculty, Professors McFarlane, Preest, or Thomson.