Degree: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Major: Systems Biology
Program Overview
Systems biology is a rapidly emerging area of research activity at the interface of mathematics, computer science, and the biological sciences. Many modern areas of biology research (e.g., biochemical, neural, behavioral, and ecosystem networks) require the mastery of advanced quantitative and computational skills. The Systems Biology BS degree program is intended to provide the quantitative and multidisciplinary understanding that is necessary for work in these areas. This skill set is different from that produced by traditional undergraduate programs in biology. Consequently, the Systems Biology BS program adds two core courses (in modeling and analysis of biological systems) beyond the three core lecture courses in the Biology BA and Biology BS programs, as well as foundation courses from computer science and advanced mathematics. The traditional biology core laboratory courses are not required, but may be taken as electives. Undergraduate research is strongly recommended (as BIOL 388S and BIOL 390) but is not formally required.
The Systems Biology BS provides options for specialization in a variety of areas, including biotechnology and genetic engineering, molecular and cellular biology, genetics, immunology, chemical biology, physiology and biophysics, neurobiology and animal behavior, developmental biology, population biology, ecology, and environmental science. Theoretical, mathematical, and computational approaches to these fields are emphasized in the Systems Biology BS program.
Ordinarily, all students begin their biology programs in their first year.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of biological concepts.
- Students will be able to use mathematical and computational tools to answer biological questions.
- Students will be able to demonstrate clarity of thought and logical rigor in analyzing problems. They will be able to formulate and refine clear questions and design effective tests of hypotheses.
- Students will be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
- Students will be able to translate biological phenomena intomathematical/computational language and vice versa.
Advising
Biology faculty advisors are assigned to students at the time of major or minor declaration. All biology majors are required to meet with their departmental advisors at least once each semester to discuss their academic program, receive clearance for electronic course registration, and obtain approval for any drops, adds, or withdrawals. Please contact the undergraduate services coordinator for the Department of Biology for information about major or minor declaration.
Undergraduate Policies
For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.
Accelerated Master's Programs
Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.
Program Requirements
Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the Unified General Education Requirements. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the school-specific requirements associated with this major.
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
BIOL 214 | Genes, Evolution and Ecology | 3 |
BIOL 215 | Cells and Proteins | 3 |
BIOL 216 | Development and Physiology | 3 |
BIOL 300 | Dynamics of Biological Systems: A Quantitative Introduction to Biology | 3 |
BIOL 306 | Mathematical Analysis of Biological Models | 3 |
| Sensory Biology | |
| Introduction to Neurobiology | |
| Neurobiology of Behavior | |
| Computational Neuroscience | |
| Principles of Neural Science | |
| Biotechnology Laboratory: Genes and Genetic Engineering | |
| Survey of Bioinformatics: Technologies in Bioinformatics and Survey of Bioinformatics: Data Integration in Bioinformatics and Survey of Bioinformatics: Translational Bioinformatics | |
| Survey of Bioinformatics: Technologies in Bioinformatics and Survey of Bioinformatics: Data Integration in Bioinformatics and Survey of Bioinformatics: Translational Bioinformatics |
| Genetics | |
| Functional Genomics | |
| Plant Genomics and Proteomics | |
| Introduction to Bioinformatics | |
| Bioinformatics for Systems Biology | |
| Herpetology | |
| Introductory Entomology | |
| Aquatic Biology | |
| Ichthyology | |
| Mammal Diversity and Evolution | |
| Principles of Ecology | |
| Ecophysiology of Global Change | |
| Animal Behavior | |
| Research Methods in Evolutionary Biology | |
| Evo-Devo:Evolution of Body Plans and Pathologies | |
| Topics in Evolutionary Biology | |
| Foundations of Advanced Ecology | |
| Foundations of Advanced Evolution | |
| Fundamental Immunology | |
| Introduction to Stem Cell Biology | |
| Cell Biology | |
| The Human Microbiome | |
| Parasitology | |
| Microbiology | |
| Laboratory for Microbiology | |
| Principles of Developmental Biology | |
| Evo-Devo:Evolution of Body Plans and Pathologies | |
a | 12 |
BIOL 388S & BIOL 390 | Undergraduate Research - SAGES Capstone and Advanced Undergraduate Research b | |
MATH 121 | Calculus for Science and Engineering I | 4 |
MATH 122 | Calculus for Science and Engineering II | 4 |
or MATH 124 | Calculus II |
MATH 223 | Calculus for Science and Engineering III | 3 |
or MATH 227 | Calculus III |
MATH 224 | Elementary Differential Equations | 3 |
or MATH 228 | Differential Equations |
STAT 312 | Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science | 3 |
or STAT 312R | Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science Using R Programming |
CHEM 105 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
CHEM 106 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
CHEM 113 | Principles of Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
PHYS 121 | General Physics I - Mechanics | 4 |
or PHYS 123 | Physics and Frontiers I - Mechanics |
PHYS 122 | General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
or PHYS 124 | Physics and Frontiers II - Electricity and Magnetism |
ECSE/CSDS 132 | Programming in Java | 3 |
ECSE/CSDS 233 | Introduction to Data Structures | 4 |
| Fitting Models to Data: Maximum Likelihood Methods and Model Selection | |
| Applied Probability and Stochastic Processes for Biology | |
| Applied Probability and Stochastic Processes for Biology |
| Design and Analysis of Biological Experiments | |
| Computational Neuroscience | |
| Computational Neuroscience |
| Algorithms | |
| Introduction to Database Systems | |
| Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | |
| Biomedical Signals and Systems | |
| Modeling of Biomedical Systems | |
| Signals and Systems | |
| Signal Processing | |
| Modeling and Simulation of Continuous Dynamical Systems | |
| Engineering Optimization | |
| Introduction to Linear Algebra for Applications | |
| Introduction to Scientific Computing | |
| Mathematics and Brain | |
| Introduction to Dynamical Systems | |
| Introduction to Probability | |
| Introduction to Information Theory | |
| Data Analysis and Linear Models | |
| Multivariate Analysis and Data Mining | |
| Statistics for Signal Processing | |
| Stochastic Models: Time Series and Markov Chains | |
| Stochastic Models: Diffusive Phenomena and Stochastic Differential Equations | |
Total Credit Hours | 79-82 |
Concentrations in Areas of the Biological Sciences
Students are encouraged to utilize their elective courses in the biology major to take advantage of concentrations in various specialized areas. These concentrations have been developed between the biology department, the basic science departments of the School of Medicine, and other departments. Currently, concentrations have been developed in the following areas: biotechnology and genetic engineering; computational biology; developmental biology; genetics; cell and molecular biology; neurobiology and animal behavior; population biology, ecology and environmental science. Note: these concentrations are informal; they are not declared, and will not appear on the student’s diploma or transcript.
Departmental Honors
To receive a bachelor’s degree “with Honors in Biology” (formally noted on the transcript), the student must meet the following criteria:
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Maintain a 3.4 overall grade point average, with a 3.6 in BIOL courses
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Carry out two semesters of independent research (taken as BIOL courses) at Case Western Reserve University
-
Write a senior honors thesis with the approval of the faculty supervisor
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Submit the thesis for review by an ad hoc honors committee
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Successfully defend the thesis at an oral examination
Additional information and application forms are available from the biology department office.