academics
My Colby-Sawyer Experience
“This encourages students to learn through critical thinking rather than just having me transmit information to them. They also learn how to work as a team, skills they'll use in work settings.” - Natural Sciences Professor Cheryl Coolidge
[ read more ]
biology
The Biology Major is designed to give students a broad education in all aspects of Biology, to prepare them for careers in biology or entrance to professional or graduate programs. It is a bachelor of arts degree because of our focus on liberal arts skills like writing, problem solving, and public speaking in addition to the theories and concepts in Biology.
Program Highlights
- Students do science
In addition to learning about science, students in our classes actively participate in designing and carrying out experiments to answer their own questions about the natural world. This begins with independent lab projects in introductory classes and culminates in the year long senior research project - Lab facilities
The biology program is housed in the Curtis L. Ivey Science Center, a brand new 33,000-square-foot building which includes eight laboratories, six classrooms, a 182-seat auditorium, student project workrooms, faculty offices and a GIS lab. The labs were recently equipped by a generous anonymous gift. - Field facilities
The campus encompasses fields, a pond, and a 100 acre forest for field studies, and we are surrounded by lakes, mountains, and streams. - Individual attention
Because of small classes and many independent projects, students work closely with our faculty
Curriculum
Our curriculum is balanced between cell/molecular courses and organismal/envirionmental ones. Students get a broad background in all areas of biology but can focus on areas of interest in their 3rd and 4th years. Students gain practical experience in an internship and in their senior research project. Students are prepared for careers in biology, further study in graduate or professional school, or to use their skills and their understanding of science in any future endeavor.
Pre-med/pre-vet
Out curriculum includes all the prerequisites for medical and veterinary schools as well as for other training in health careers. Our pre-med advisor meets with students to discuss preparation, planning, and other options.
