Mapping your Biology Major

Your Hood experience is about so much more than just your biology major.

The Student Success Center, the Center for Career Development & Experiential Learning, and the Office of the Registrar have teamed up to show you where a biology major can take you. They will help you cultivate, engage and prepare during your time at Hood so that you are career ready for your journey beyond Hood.

Additionally, these maps will serve as milestones and guideposts when you meet with your academic adviser. 

Contact

Student Success
301-696-3860
Registrar
301-696-3620

Center for Career Development & Experiential Education
301-696-3583

College CatalogDepartment of BiologyBiology (B.A.)

Year One

Fall Semester Credits
BIOL 110-129 Biological Inquiry4
CHEM 101 General Chemistry I 4
FYS 101 First-Year Seminar3
Core- Foreign language 101 (placement)4
Core – Health and Wellness/PE 1
 16
Spring SemesterCredits
BIOL 201 Evolution & Ecology4
CHEM 102 General Chemistry II4
Core- Foreign Language 1024
Core- ENGL 1004
 16

Year Two

Fall SemesterCredits
BIOL 202 Physiology Plants & Animals4
CHEM 209 Organic Chemistry 4
MATH 112, 213, or 201 (Core Quant. Lit)3/4
Core- Historical Analysis3
Core - Health and Wellness/PE 1
 15/16
Spring SemesterCredits
BIOL 203 Cell Biology & Genetics4
Core- Philosophical Inquiry3
Core- Visual & Performing Arts3
Core- Literary Analysis3
Core- Global Perspectives3
 16

Year Three

Fall SemesterCredits
BIOL 3XX4
Core- Social & Behavioral Analysis 3
Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
 16
Spring SemesterCredits
BIOL XXX4
BIOL XXX4
Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
 17

Year Four

Fall SemesterCredits
BIOL 3XX or 4XX3/4
Elective  3
Elective  3
Elective  3
Elective  3
 15/16
Spring SemesterCredits
BIOL 3XX or 4XX3/4
BIOL Capstone*3
Elective  3
Elective  3
 12/13

Total Credits = 124

*Satisfied by BIOL 375 (Independent Study), BIOL 399 (Internship), BIOL 470 (Senior Seminar), or BIOL 499 (Honors Thesis). 

Other Options

  • Year 2, Spring Semester: CHEM 210 Organic Chemistry II
  • Year 3, Fall Semester: PHYS 101 General Physics I or PHYS 201 Introductory Physics I
  • Year 3, Spring Semester: PHYS 102 General Physics II or PHYS 202 Introductory Physics II

Learning, Self-Exploration, and Academic Excellence

The Hood College Center for Career Development and Experiential Education is here to support you through your four-year educational journey. Whether you are headed toward additional educational pursuits after graduation or on to the exciting world of work, we recommend that you investigate all your opportunities through three distinct types of exploration. These include Cultivating knowledge of your major and occupations related to your studies, Engaging in activities that give you hands-on experience, and taking practical steps toward Preparing for life after college. Below are three tables that will help you understand these areas and associated activities. Want to know more? Meet with a counselor in the Career Center. Email careers@hood.edu to make an appointment. 

Cultivate

Explore your Major and Related Occupations

Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4

Explore the Course Catalog and biology program website.

Visit with a career counselor to develop your resume and consider internship locations.

Update your resume, including new classes, internships, research or employment.

Get a final review of your resume from faculty and Career Center staff.

Visit What Can I Do With the Major? Take the Focus 2 Career Assessment to learn about careers.

Talk with biology faculty about summer research possibilities. Summer Research Institute (SRI) proposals are due in February.

Enroll in BIOL 399, get internship experience and college credit. 

Complete a second internship or research experience.

Meet with your academic adviser and biology faculty members to discuss career plans.

Explore Hood’s unique Coastal Studies Semester.

Meet with biology faculty about independent study research and competitive national experiences.

 

Meet with Career Center staff to begin developing a resume.

Plan to study abroad and attend an information session to learn about scholarships.

Plan your biology capstone with your academic adviser.

 

Engage

Locally and Globally 

Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4

Explore clubs such as the Hood Environmental Action Team (HEAT) and the Pre-Health Club.

Investigate federal work-study positions in the biology department to improve your laboratory skills and learn about careers.

Consider becoming a peer tutor for biology courses.

Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in biological sciences. Faculty members or career counselors can help identify individuals.

Volunteer to help grow food at the Hood-sponsored Frederick Food Security Network.

Pursue a summer research project or a part-time job in biology. Attend the annual Science & Technology Career Fair in Nov. to meet employers.

If invited to do a departmental honors project, meet with faculty to discuss possible research projects.

 

Attend Community Engagement Fairs in the fall and spring semesters to learn about nonprofit agencies in the sciences and healthcare.

   

Prepare

For Post-Graduation Success

Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4

Attend the Biology Department Seminars.

Attend the Spring Internship and Career Fair to meet employers recruiting interns.

Attend Career Center workshops on conducting a job search and meet employers at Career Fairs.

Attend the annual Business Etiquette Dinner held each Feb. 

 

Check Handshake for events and see employers providing information sessions.

Consult faculty members about professional conferences.

Attend Career Fairs to learn about and obtain an entry-level position.

 

Participate in Career Center workshops on job interviews and creating a LinkedIn page.

Prepare to take GRE, MCAT and other post-graduate exams.

Attend conferences of professional associations.

  

Consider Hood’s 4-PLUS master’s degrees in Biomedical Science or Environmental Biology.

Take the biology department exit exam and survey.

  • Utilize resources at the Library and Learning Commons
  • Meet regularly with your academic adviser
  • Work with tutors at the Writing Center
  • Complete the FAFSA and apply for scholarships
  • Join a student club, organization or honors society
  • Meet with counselors at the Career Center
  • Apply for work study or on-campus jobs
  • Take a resume building workshop
  • Participate in mock job interviews
  • Visit career fairs

Learn more about careers in biology: https://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/biological-sciences/

  • Medicine
  • Dentistry
  • Optometry
  • Podiatry
  • Pharmacy
  • Veterinary medicine
  • Allied health: occupational therapy, physical therapy
  • Medical technology
  • Nuclear medicine
  • Group or private practice
  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Health networks
  • Nursing homes
  • Rehabilitation centers
  • Mental health institutions
  • Federal, state, and local health departments
  • Government agencies
  • Armed services
  • Correctional facilities
  • Colleges or universities
  • Medical schools
  • Large corporations

Explore more career opportunities in biology: https://www.onetonline.org/