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Biology

College of Natural Sciences
Dean 2
2450 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8303
Fax: (808) 956-4745
E-mail: biology@hawaii.edu
Web: www.biology.hawaii.edu

Faculty

* Graduate Faculty

• A. K. Fok, PhD (Director)--cell biology
• H. Ako, PhD--analytical biochemistry
• D. Borthakur, PhD--molecular genetics of rhizobia, plant-microbe interaction, biotechnology
• K. W. Bridges, PhD--systems ecology
• R. L. Cann, PhD--molecular and evolutionary genetics
• D. A. Christopher, PhD--photosynthesis, plant biochemistry, plant molecular biology
• S. Conant, PhD--ornithology, ecology, behavior, conservation biology
• C. C. Daehler, PhD--population genetics and dynamics, breeding system, reproductive ecology, herbivore of envasive plants
• H. G. de Couet, PhD--molecular cell biology and genetics
• D. S. Haymer, PhD--molecular evolution and developmental genetics
• J. A. Hunt, PhD--molecular and evolutionary genetics
• D. M. Jameson, PhD--fluorescence spectroscopy; biomolecular dynamics and interactions; ribosomal proteins
• R. A. Kinzie III, PhD--coral reef biology, marine ecology, limnology
• T. W. Lyttle, PhD--population genetics, cytogenetics
• W. C. McClatchey, PhD--ethnobotony
• M. Merlin, PhD--biogeography, natural history of the Pacific
• C. W. Morden, PhD--molecular systematics and evolution of plants and algae
• S. Robinow, PhD--developmental neurobiology, genetics, molecular biology
• J. Seifert, PhD--biochemical toxicology
• S. E. Seifried, PhD--macromolecular interactions, transcription factor recognition of specific DNA sequences, protein subunit assembly
• C. Z. Womersley, PhD--environmental physiology, biochemical adaptation, parasitology
• G. J. Wong, PhD--mating systems and biosystematics of basidiomycetes

Degrees Offered: BA in biology, BS in biology

The Academic Program

The Biology Program (BIOL) is a cooperative program whose faculty members are from the Biology Program and the Departments of Botany, Cell and Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biosciences and Biosystems Engineering, and Zoology. It provides an academic home to students who wish to pursue a broad training in the biological sciences. 

Biology is a study of living organisms at all levels. Some students may prefer to focus on the anatomy of the cell and the chemical processes occurring in it. Others may prefer to concentrate on the physiological processes of plants or animals or on microorganisms and the roles they play in the environment or in causing disease. Students will also be introduced to the anatomy of plants and animals, their evolutionary histories, their interactions in the ecosystems in which they occur, and their behavior.

Biology may be studied as a liberal arts major, but most students plan to use it as preparation for some sort of professional work, such as aquaculture, biotechnology, dentistry, forestry, marine biology, medicine, optometry, and pharmacy. The bachelor's degree in biology is rarely adequate preparation for any of the professions to which these students aspire; one to eight years of additional training may be necessary before the person is fully qualified to practice in one of these fields. 

The biology program makes every effort to provide all of its students with broad training in the field by requiring some course work in each of the major areas of biology. This provides the best kind of background for future specialization and also introduces students to subjects with which they may not be familiar but which may be of great importance to them, either as a vocational or nonprofessional interest.

Advising

Student advising is mandatory. Prospective majors should come to Dean 2 for advising immediately, so as to design a curriculum that satisfies program requirements.

Undergraduate Study

BA Degree

Requirements (C grade minimum)

• BIOL 172, 265, 275, and 375 including all related laboratories
• 14 credit hours in approved courses, including one each from botany, microbiology, physiology, and zoology
• One or more laboratory courses at the 300 level or above 

Related Requirements (D grade minimum)

• CHEM 161, 162, 272 plus laboratories and 273
• PHYS 151 and 152 or 170 and 272 plus laboratories
• MATH 215 or 241
• ICS 101/101L

BS Degree

Requirements (C grade minimum)

• BIOL 172, 265, 270, and 375 including all related laboratories
• One course each from morphology/systematics and physiology
• BIOC 441 or BIOL/ENBI 402 or BIOL/CMB 405
• 15 credit hours in approved courses at the 300 level or above in one of the following tracks or concentrations:
• cell/molecular biology
• ecology, evolution and conservation biology
• general biology
• marine/aquatic biology
• organismic biology
• 1 or 2 credits of directed research in approved disciplines
• One or more laboratory courses at the 300 level or above
• The above courses to include one or more courses at the 300 level or above each from botany, microbiology, and zoology

Related Requirements

• CHEM 161, 162, 272 plus laboratories and 273
• PHYS 151 and 152 or 170 and 272 plus laboratories
• MATH 215 and 216 or 241 and 242
• ECON 321 or MATH 231
• ICS 101/101L

Minor

Requirements (C grade minimum)
Students must complete BIOL 172, 265, 275, and 375 plus related laboratories; and a minimum of 3 credits from the following:

• n BIOL 363, 399, 401, 406/406L, 407/407L, 409, 425, 441, and 499
• n Approved upper level botany, microbiology, and zoology courses

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