What We Do: Teaching and Learning

Lab Educator Natasha Woods guides students in microbiology lab

Overview

Spelman College has a rich tradition of preparing young women of African descent for rewarding careers in science and medicine.  Spelman awards over 150 undergraduate Bachelor of Science degrees annually in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, chemical engineering, computer science, mathematics and physics. 

The Biology department is nationally recognized for its role in training women of color for graduate and professional studies in the sciences.  Spelman is currently the third highest contributor of African American students to our nation’s medical schools. 

With one of the most popular programs on campus, the Biology department maintains over 300 majors, and graduates approximately 70 majors annually.  In addition to completing their standard coursework, well over half of our majors gain substantial research experience as part of their science training, through collaborative research with Spelman faculty or through participation in summer undergraduate research programs across the country. 

Over 80% of our graduates go on to pursue doctoral studies in science or professional training in medicine, dentistry or applied health professions.  Additionally, the department contributes to student learning across campus through courses designed for non-science majors and prerequisite coursework for pre-medical students. 

Biology Professor Aditi Pai leads students on a field trip at Arabia Mountain

Biology Curriculum

The biology curriculum begins with a four-semester Core Sequence typically completed in the first two years of study.  The Core Sequence provides a progressive development of investigative skills in the context of four organizational areas of biology:

Biological Communities, Evolution and Biodiversity – This course introduces foundational skills of biological science within the context of understanding ecosystem dynamics, natural selection and evolution, phylogeny, and biodiversity. Students learn to “read science” by developing observational skills in the lab and in the field, and sharpening reading comprehension through regular case study projects.

Organismal Form and Function – This course introduces basic themes of organismal form and function, including growth, reproduction, transport, and homeostasis.  Students learn to “talk science” by engaging in ongoing oral discourse about basic concepts with classmates and instructors, and by developing oral communication skills through regular formal and informal class presentations.

Biology of the Cell – This course presents an introduction to cell structure and dynamics including molecular composition, flow of energy and flow of information in cells.  Students learn to “write science” by using composition as a strategy for developing conceptual understanding of cell dynamics, and by honing their scientific report writing skills.

Molecular Biology and Genomics – This course is an advanced introductory course for majors that focuses on major developments in genomics, including molecular dynamics and gene expression,  phylogenetics and molecular evolution, genomics and bioinformatics.  Students learn to “do science” by designing and conducting original experiments within the structured context of an investigative lab course.

Biology training continues with advanced elective courses designed to emphasize advanced skills development within the context of various concentrations within the discipline. 

Students tailor their elective coursework in order to provide the strongest preparation for their future studies and career.   For instance, a student interested in environmental science may balance their elective courses toward concentration in evolution and field studies, while another interested in biomedical research may concentrate in biochemistry, physiology, and epidemiology. 

Collaborative research conducted during the academic year or during the summer may contribute as a formal part of advanced elective coursework for biology majors.  Cognate requirements in chemistry, mathematics, physics and computer science serve to ground the biology curriculum in foundational concepts and strategies in the sciences.

Teaching staff
The biology department includes 11 tenured or tenure-track faculty, who represent a broad spectrum of biological research areas and contribute to a comprehensive biology curriculum.  All biology faculty serve as active science mentors, instructing Spelman students in introductory and advanced courses, and engaging students one-on-one in academic and research advising. 

Biology faculty collaborate with networks of investigators regionally, nationally and internationally, extending the learning network for our students beyond the boundaries of the Spelman campus.  The teaching staff is supplemented by three full time laboratory educators who contribute significant scientific expertise in their role as instructors in lab-based courses. 

Entering science students benefit from Spelman’s Freshman Success Program, which provides peer tutors for students in introductory courses in biology, chemistry and mathematics.