2025-2026 Catalog
Department of Biology
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(See also Mathematical and Computational Biology , Joint Major in Chemistry and Biology , and Joint Major in Biology and Climate )
Professors Stoebel (Chair), Adolph, Ahn, Bush, Donaldson-Matasci, Guo, Haushalter, Hur, McFadden, and Schulz.
The biology program prepares graduates for further study and employment in biology and related fields. Biology graduates work in molecular genetics, neurobiology, mathematical ecology, plant ecology, medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, data science, pharmacology, biotechnology, forensic science, evolutionary biology, finance, software development, science teaching, science writing, and other areas.
The Harvey Mudd biology major, in conjunction with the common technical Core, provides the topical breadth that is the foundation of modern biology and the intellectual depth that enables students to understand how discoveries in the life sciences are made and communicated. A set of required Biology Core courses provides a broad foundation in biology. Building on this foundation, each student, in consultation with a biology faculty advisor, selects a group of advanced biology and related technical courses that introduce a life sciences subdiscipline in depth. In addition to Harvey Mudd courses, students may draw upon the extensive course offerings at Pomona, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer and Scripps Colleges.
Joint Major in Chemistry and Biology
Important opportunities are emerging at the interface of chemistry and biology. The Joint Major in Chemistry and Biology provides an organized framework in which students will be able to appreciate the biological context of their research questions and master the chemistry fundamentals that underlie the properties and reactions of biomolecules. Students interested in the Joint Major, which is administered by the Departments of Biology and Chemistry, should contact the Chairs of Biology and Chemistry.
Mathematical and Computational Biology Major
Applications of mathematics and computer science are vital to many areas of contemporary biological and medical research, such as genomics, molecular modeling, structural biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, epidemiology, neurobiology, and cancer treatment. Students interested in the connections between biology, computer science, and mathematics may pursue the Mathematical and Computational Biology major, which is jointly administered by the departments of Biology, Computer Science, and Mathematics. For more information, contact Professors Stephen Adolph, Eliot Bush, Matina Donaldson-Matasci, Jon Jacobsen (Mathematics), or Lisette de Pillis (Mathematics).
Joint Major in Biology and Chemistry
The earth’s biosphere and climate system are intimately related: living organisms affect the composition of the atmosphere, and climate strongly affects the distribution, abundance and function of organisms and ecosystems. Inspired by these connections, and by the growing importance of anthropogenic climate change, we have developed a new joint major in Biology and Climate, jointly administered by the Biology Department and the Hixon Center for Climate and the Environment. The major combines coursework in biology, climate science, and climate impacts. Students interested in the interface between climate and biology, and possibly in the joint major, should contact Professors Jessica Guo (Biology and Hixon Center) and Lelia Hawkins (Chemistry and Hixon Center) for more information.
Health Professions
An excellent pre-medical preparation can be obtained at Harvey Mudd. In fact, the College’s emphasis on the humanities, social sciences, and the arts is a valuable asset for pre-medical studies. While there is no specific pre-medical curriculum, a pre-medical program can be arranged through any of the majors, if supplemented by appropriate biology and chemistry course work. Most medical schools require, as a minimum, one year of physics and biology and four semesters of chemistry, including organic chemistry. Students interested in medicine or related fields, such as dentistry or veterinary medicine, should contact the pre-professional coordinator https://www.hmc.edu/biology/programs-and-courses/pre-med-preparation/.
Facilities
The biology department is housed in the F.W. Olin Science Center, which provides exceptionally well-equipped teaching and research laboratories to support our curriculum. The Robert J. Bernard Biological Field Station, located directly across the street from Harvey Mudd College, is the natural laboratory for field biology courses and student-faculty research.
Research
Areas available for student-faculty research within the department include behavioral ecology, biochemistry, cellular and developmental biology, molecular genetics, population biology, physiological ecology of plants and animals, biomechanics, animal locomotion, animal behavior, molecular systematics, bioinformatics, mathematical ecology, climate change ecology, computational genetics, and molecular evolution. Students wishing to pursue research prior to their senior year may enroll in BIOL161 HM or BIOL197 HM . Summer research positions are also available. Go to https://www.hmc.edu/biology/biology-research/ for details and applications.
Course Descriptions
Major
Joint Major
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