Objectives
The main purpose of the Biology Program is to train competitive professionals at national and international levels, with solid knowledge of basic sciences, focused on contemporary research issues in biological sciences and with a remarkable academic level.
The general program structure allows students to design their program according to their preferences, thus, creating diverse Alumni Profiles. For instance, an alumni may be inclined for basic or applied research, pursue one or more concentrations or a dual program simultaneously. Similarly, the alumnae may continue their academic education in graduate programs in national and international renowned and academically excellent institutions.
Study Plan
The Study Plan of the Biology Program encompasses courses in the following cycles:
- Basic and general sciences consisting of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry courses.
- The Uniandes Basic Cycle Courses (UBC) allows the student to become acquainted with various disciplines in a comprehensive manner.
- Structural courses provide a solid platform of general and fundamental knowledge on biological sciences (Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology, Organismic Biology, Genetics, Ecology, Biostatistics, Biochemistry and Evolution).
- Subject matter courses offer a specialized training about the different groups of organisms target of study (Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, Animal and Plant Physiology, Biology of Development).
- Concentration courses look in-depth into specific areas of knowledge according to the student's particular intrest, and in keeping with the Department's research lines (Cellular and Molecular Biology, Genetics and Evolution, Ecology, Organisms and Bioinformatics).
- Elective courses emphasize on specific areas according to the student's career concerns.
- Free Elective Courses (FEC) in other complementary areas, according to the student's particular concerns.
Students conclude their career with a Graduation Project that trasnlates into development of their scientific research abilities.
The syllabus is flexible thus allowing to take courses in other disciplines, concentrations or links with graduate courses (co-terminal program), with a personalized formation adapted to the student's interests and skills.
The 9-semester Biology program offered until 2006-1 and the 8-semester Biology program offered as of 2006-2 share the same Objectives, Alumni Profile and syllabus. Furthermore, in the program offered as of 2006-2, students are given the opportunity to finish their career with a graduation work or a Monograph.
Areas of Research or Concentration
The 8-semester Biology Program offers students the opportunity to choose among three areas of concentration: 1. Genetics and Evolution 2. Ecology and Organisms and 3. Cellular and Molecular. The third area is shared with the Microbiology Program. Once studentd have decided what their interest is, they must pursue five courses of concentration, two compulsory and three elective courses. The compulsory courses of the first area are Evolutionary Genetics and Phylogenetics Systematics; in the second area, Advanced Ecology and Phylogenetics Systematics; and in the third area, Cellular and Molecular Biology of Procariots and Molecular Genetics of Eucariots. The elective courses may be chosen either within the same line of concentration or from a different area.
Model Program
First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
Fifth Semester
Sixth Semester
| XXXX- | Profundizacion I (Obligatoria) | 4 |
| XXXX- | Curso de Libre Elección I | 3 |
| CBU- | Uniandino Basic Cycle Course | 3 |
| BIOL-3302 | Plant Physiology - Theory | 3 |
| BIOL-3303 | Plant Physiology - Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL-2300 | Microbiology - Theory | 3 |
| BIOL-2301 | Microbiology - Laboratory | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Seventh Semester
| DERE-1300 | Constitution and Democracy | 3 |
| BIOL-3304 | Development Biology - Theory | 3 |
| BIOL-3305 | Development Biology - Laboratory | 3 |
| BIOL-3324 | Conservation Biology - Laboratory | 3 |
| BIOL-3325 | Conservation Biology - Laboratory | 1 |
| XXXX- | Profundizacion II (Obligatoria) | 4 |
| BIOL-3906 | Inscripción a Proyecto de Grado | 1 |
| LENG-3999 | Requirement – Command of a Foreign Language | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Eighth Semester
| XXXX- | Electiva de Profundizacion | 4 |
| XXXX- | Curso de Libre Elección II | 3 |
| CBU- | Uniandino Basic Cycle Course | 3 |
| CBU- | Uniandino Basic Cycle Course | 3 |
| BIOL-3907 | BIOL 3907 | 3 |
| BIOL-3990 | Graduation registration | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Alumni Profile
The alumni from this program is trained to conduct fundamental or applied research in various areas of biology, such as molecular and cellular biology, genetics, biology of development, systematics, physiology, ethology, ecology and evolution. Likewise, our graduate student may work with animal and plant organisms and their derivatives and serve in public or private institutions devoted to biotechnology, genetic engineering, agricultural sciences (improved farming, floriculture, plague control, animal breeding farms) and biomedical sciences, among others. Environmental sciences are another important working field for Biologists, where they may focus their studies on biodiversity, management of natural parks, species and ecosystems preservation, sustainable use of natural resources and environmental impact.