Biology, the study of life, is a discipline of astonishing variety.
It encompasses not only the diversity of living things on the earth
today, but also the diversity of levels (from molecules to cells
to organisms to ecosystems) at which life can be studied. The Biology
Department offers a modern, balanced, and comprehensive treatment of
biology, emphasizing independent research, analysis of information, and
integration among its subdisciplines and with other areas of the liberal
arts, including related disciplines such as chemistry, mathematics, geology,
physics and psychology. Many new discoveries in biology, such as those
that are making genetic engineering a reality, are radically transforming
our perception of what biology is and what it can mean to our everyday
lives. More than ever, the social, political, economic and moral
implications of these discoveries require not only that a liberally educated
person understand the principles of modern biology, but also that a biologist
be liberally educated.
