Let's get familiar with the biology department and our current majors! Stay connected and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need any help!
Modern biology has seen tremendous growth in our ability to understand and compare the structure and function of living organisms at the cellular, molecular and genetic levels, and what were traditionally regarded as many different areas of biology have become integrated, particularly in the research laboratory.
Our approach to teaching biology therefore emphasizes unifying principles and research method while offering students the flexibility to customize an integrative program of study tailored to their specific interests. We involve students in the process of discovery in a research-focused curriculum that stresses the experimental method as a teaching tool. Students at all levels of the curriculum frame their own experimental questions and use current research techniques to search for answers. In the junior year students participate in research-focused laboratories (BIOL H300/BIOL H301 “Superlab”) and as seniors they conduct their own laboratory-based, yearlong research projects. This research may result in presentations at local and national meetings, and occasionally publications in peer-reviewed journals. Our curricular approach allows students to develop the conceptual tools to both follow and contribute to the rapid advance of knowledge and understanding.
Located in the Marian E. Koshland Integrated Natural Sciences Center (KINSC), the Biology Department maintains close interdisciplinary ties with the Chemistry, Physics, Math, Computer Science and Psychology Departments.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
STRIKE INFORMATION
On Oct. 28th 2020, Haverford students initiated a 14-day-long student-organized strike. "We are no longer asking for inclusion or diversity since that gives more power to the institution. Instead, we will disrupt that order," announced in An Open Letter to the Bi-College Community. Demands of the strike addressed discriminations at every level of the institution that perpetuates among Bi-co communities.The Biology department was largely involved in support of students’ indignant and powerful appeals. Ever since, ongoing changes have been made to raise people’s awareness of the contributions made by the BIPOC and FGLI community and address the deeper underlying inequality and discrimination in the Bio department.
What came out of the strike in bio department
In order to bring out the needed structural changes to dismantle the long-existing within the department and to accommodate students who need credits for the course, the department worked with BSG and created an alternative course that called for the whole department to restructure the bio curriculum to be more supportive and inclusive. There have been four focus group working for four topics:
Redesigning the Entry to Biology in the 1st Year
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Content and focus of a new 100-level course in biology
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Grading, assessment, and course evaluation
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Learning modalities and course design to promote belonging & inclusion
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Accessibility
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The design of an accompanying lab experience
Restructuring Bio200/201
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Grading, assessment, and course evaluation
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Learning modalities and course design to promote belonging & inclusion
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Accessibility & time expectations
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Best practices in lab design and implementation driven by equity and inclusion
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Assessing the role of Bio202/203 (“Unlocking Key Concepts”)
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Separating Bio200/201 lab into a separate course
Student Research, Mentorship, and Communication Tentative
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Examination of how HC portrays STEM in general, and the Biology program in particular, to prospective students.
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Transparency in academic year as well as summer research and Work Study opportunities (at HC and elsewhere).
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Possible involvement of our alumni networks in offering guidance and mentorship to students with respect to externships, summer research elsewhere, and various postgraduate career paths in STEM.
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Improving website utility and resource allocation.
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Student feedback – best practices and faculty/department accountability.
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How to be a culturally-competent mentor - enhancing mentorship and advocacy.
Designing a course for juniors and seniors Tentative
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Work on social injustice in STEM (in Philadelphia and other places) (e.g., discussion with BMC Prof. Chanelle Wilson who runs a pedagogy workshop prior to MAST's beginning).
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Opportunities to explore new areas of emerging interest in biology.
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Opportunities to interact with faculty in other STEM departments and/or Bryn Mawr STEM departments.
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Work on community building (listening skills; speaking from the first person; senior-junior advising).
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Work on effective communications (oral, written, video).
Meet the Department
Below are the names of current majors at Haverford bio department. They would love to talk to you about every aspects of being a bio major. People are saying that talking to upperclassmen and getting to know their experiences makes them less overwhelming about different possibilities tracks. If you find more helpful to talk to the professors, go check out the emails of professors at Contacting Professors or Department Faculty & Staff.