Navigating Our Curriculum

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This section will help you plan your courses in Chemistry or Biology (including a major if you so desire) and will help you be successful in your learning. Please consider this advice seriously.

Investigations Handbook

Grinnell College's Investigations handbook is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 License. Contact staff in the Science Division Office to request a PDF or Doc copy of Investigations. Phone 641-269-3172.

Curriculum

Listed below are sample schedules for students majoring in biology, chemistry, and biological chemistry. If you are looking for course descriptions, visit the College Catalog.

Biology

1st year Fall - Bio 150 or Chm 129; Math 131 (123)

1st year Spring - Bio 150 or Chm 129; **Math 133 (124)

2nd year Fall - Bio 251; Chm 221++

2nd year Spring - Bio 252; **Chm 222 or **Math 209

3rd and 4th years - 5 electives* (can include summer research or classes). A maximum of four credits of advanced work in a related field may be applied toward the major. The following courses are on the approved list: ANT-221 or ANT-325; PSY-336; NRS-250.

Chemistry

1st year Fall - Chm 129; Math 131 (123)

1st year Spring - Chm 210 (formerly Chm 130); Math 133 (124)

2nd year Fall - Chm 221++; Phy 131; (Math 133)

2nd year Spring - Chm 222; Phy132 3rd year Fall - Chm 363

3rd year Spring - Elective

4th year Fall - Elective

4th year Spring - Elective

Biological Chemistry

1st year Fall - Bio 150 or Chm 129; Math 131 (or 123)

1st year Spring - Bio 150 or Chm 129; Math 133 (124) 2nd year Fall - Bio 251; Chm 221++

2nd year Spring - BCM 262; Chm 222

3rd year Fall - Phys 131

3rd year Spring - Phys 132

4th year Fall - Chm 363 4th year Spring - Elective*

*Note that one advanced elective must be taken in the junior or senior year.

**These courses are not required, but are suggested.

++Note that students with Chemistry AP/IB credit must take Chm 130 as a prerequisite to Chm 221.

What choices do I have and when do I have to make them?

If you're unsure about where you're headed (Biology, Biological Chemistry, or Chemistry) you should take Bio 150, Chm 129, Math 131, and Math 133 in your first year. This will leave all options open to you. In the Fall of your second year you should enroll in Bio 251 and Chm 221. At this point (prior to the sprint semester of your second year) you will need to decide if you intend to pursue the Biology, Biological Chemistry, or Chemistry major. You must declare a major (download form from the Registrar; GrinnellShare login required), and prepare a 4-year plan, prior to registration for your 5th semester.

Planning for off-campus study

Planning for off-campus study requires careful consideration. It is to your advantage to begin the planning process in your first year. If you are planning an off-campus experience you should plan to be away during your 5th, 6th, or 7th semester. Biological chemistry and chemistry majors should talk with their advisers about when physics and physical chemistry should be taken in relation to an off-campus experience. 

The role of independent research

Independent research is a central part of all three majors. It is required for chemistry major, and strongly recommended for biology and biological chemistry majors.

Graduating with honors

To be considered for honors in biology, graduating seniors, in addition to meeting the College's general requirements for honors (see Academic Catalog), must conduct an independent research project (either at Grinnell or elsewhere) and share their findings with fellow biologists in a departmental seminar. The award of honors is not based solely on grades and achievement in the classroom or lab. It signifies, in addition, an underlying commitment to the discipline as evidenced by participation in departmental affairs and activities (e.g., acting as a TA or mentor, or serving on the SEPC), including regular attendance at departmental seminars.

What if I'm considering going to medical school after college?

You can major in any of the three areas above (or any other at the college), but will want to take the following science courses before you take the MCATs (Medical College Admission Tests): Bio 150, Bio 251 and Bio 252, Chemistry 129, Chemistry 210 (formerly Chm 130), Chemistry 221 and Chemistry 222 Physics 131 and Physics 132 Math 131 and Math 133 (or Math 123 and Math 124) Students who wish to go on to medical school right after graduation should plan to take the MCATs in April of their 3rd year. Since this limits their options in non-science courses, most students take the MCATs at the end of their senior year and spend a year following graduation gaining work experience in a medical or research setting. Grinnell's Health Professions Advisory Committee can help you with these decisions.

What if I'm considering teaching as a career?

If you are interested in becoming a teacher, you must contact the education department prior to preregistration in the first semester of your second year. To be certified to teach in a scientific discipline at the secondary level, you'll have to take 5 education courses in addition to major requirements. See the College Catalog for more specifics.

What if I'm not sure what I want to do?

That's OK. You're here to explore your interests. Regardless of your potential career plans, it is to your advantage to discuss your interests with your adviser as soon as possible. Planning ahead isn't like signing a contract - it will help you to keep your options open.