Additional Stipulations:

• Biology courses below BIOL 0100 do NOT carry concentration credit
• Core may include up to two related science courses from the approved list (see list "related files tab)
• BIOL 0920s and BIOL 1920s can be used ONLY as related science
• Only one First Year Seminar and one Sophomore Seminar may be used towards core
• Research is encouraged for Biology AB but not required; If you plan to do one or more semesters of research via BIOL 1950/60, list these in your core at a MAXIMUM of 2 courses. Two semester of research via BIOL 1950/60 may count towards up to 3 of the following designations: One Lab Course, One 1000+ level Course, or Senior Capstone

Purpose

The purpose of the Biology AB senior capstone is to provide students with a formal opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the Biology curriculum to a culminating personalized learning experience. Given the array of sub-disciplinary interests among Biology AB concentrators, there are a range of opportunities available to satisfy the capstone requirement: project based advanced Biology courses, independent study, or a senior thesis.

Process

Students work with the concentration advisor to develop a capstone plan. Students should be prepared to articulate in the ASK declaration and in meetings with the advisor: 1) how the chosen capstone project meets their personal learning goals in Biology, 2) how the experience pushes them to draw on the knowledge and skills acquired in the concentration, and 3) what the final product will be.

*Senior Capstone must be completed in semesters 07, 08, or 09.  Students must submit a Capstone Declaration form in the semester in which they are fulfilling this requirement.  Upon completion, all capstone options require the formal submission of a final deliverable using the Capstone Submission form, which will be certified by your Senior Capstone Course Instructor or PI/Faculty Sponsor. Students who wish to see the questions in advance can view a blank form.
 

 Biology AB concentrators are invited to present their capstone work at the Spring Biology Undergraduate Research Day. This is encouraged but not required.

 Capstone Options

 The Biology AB capstone requirement may be satisfied through one of the following three options:

1. Advanced BIOL Course - Appropriate BIOL designated courses at the senior/graduate level, structured to facilitate discussion and depth of learning, and which have a formal opportunity to demonstrate critical and independent thinking through a final paper and/or project that challenges the student do draw on the knowledge and skills acquired in the concentration. The final capstone product should take the form of a substantial research paper/project that goes beyond a typical term paper by paying closer attention to an overarching question or aim, methodology, consideration of evidence, and context within a sub-disciplinary field of interest. Approved capstone courses with appropriate paper/project assignments include: BIOL 1100, 1140, 1150, 1250, 1330, 1515, 1525, 1555, 1565, 1575, 1600, 1820, 1970. Courses over the 2000 level may be used with the approval of Dean Achilli.  
2. Independent Study Course (BIOL 1950 fall, BIOL 1960 spring) - Students may develop an independent research / study experience with a Brown faculty member in the Division of Biology and Medicine (BioMed). The project may take place over one or two semesters and should build on the student’s biological course work and specific interests in the concentration. Such capstone experiences may take the form of laboratory work, field research, advanced literature surveys with meta-analyses, scientific writing, etc. When independent study is used to satisfy the capstone for the Biology AB, the final product should take the form of a substantial research paper/project that goes beyond a typical term paper by paying closer attention to an overarching question or aim, methodology, consideration of evidence, and context within a sub-disciplinary field of interest. Students will register for BIOL 1950 or 1960 with a BioMed faculty member and submit the required independent study project proposal via Biology Undergraduate Education’s website. Information on Biology Independent Study courses and the proposal form may be found on the research page. 
3. Senior Thesis - Students developing a senior thesis in Biology may use the thesis to satisfy the Biology AB capstone requirement. A senior honors thesis in Biology is a substantial body of original scholarly research. Successful theses can be grounded in a number of methodological approaches including bench or field research, clinical study, mathematical models, computer simulations, meta-analyses that test hypotheses or yield new synthesis in a scholarly context. Regardless of the approach, successful theses will be inquiry-based and demonstrate contextual understanding of the work, formal assessment of scientific information, critical thinking, clear communication and a high level of independence. Students will register for BIOL 1950/1960 to support the thesis. Information on theses in the Biological Sciences may be found on the research section. Visit the research page for more information on Biology Independent Study courses and relevant proposal forms.

The Biology AB Concentration Worksheet may be a useful tool for course planning.
Download Worksheet