Biology is the study of life, past and present. The faculty of the College believe that a sound knowledge of biology is essential for understanding ourselves and the world in which we live, as well as engaging many pressing problems facing humanity and becoming a part of their eventual solution. Our curriculum offers courses in many fields, from theoretical to experimental biology, and from molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying life to the complex interactions of organisms in ecosystems. At a major research institution, the focus of all courses in the Biological Sciences Collegiate Division is on scientific reasoning, research, and discovery. The goals of the Biological Sciences program are to give students (1) an understanding of currently accepted concepts in biology and the experimental support for these concepts, and (2) an appreciation of the gaps in our current understanding and the opportunities for new research in this field. Bachelor of Arts (BA): The BA is designed for students who wish to gain extensive training in the field of biology but also retain the flexibility to take elective courses outside the major.