Students enrolled in Biology at Penn State are required to take Biology 110, 220W, 230W and 240W.
The core content of each of these courses is essential to today's biology major and stress that students think independently and creatively through inquiry. Biology 220W, 230W, and 240W are also writing intensive and as such require students to present their laboratory research findings via formal scientific lab reports and papers.
The Biology Award is given annually to the student who has completed all four biology courses and holds the highest overall grade point average at the end of their sophomore year. This student must also have earned "entrance into the biology major" through the Eberly College of Science, and present a strong desire to pursue a future career which utilizes his biology education, e.g., medicine, research in a specific discipline of biology, agriculture, science education, etc.
This award represents excellence in biology and should be considered a lifelong academic honor.