BIOL 007. Scientific Problem Solving: Quantitative Skills, Basic Statistics, and Model Building

Crosslisted as PHYS 011  .
This Quantitative Skills course provides the essential mathematical and analytical tools needed for scientific problem solving. Through practical examples from molecular and cellular biology, introductory chemistry and physics, you'll learn to think quantitatively, make reasonable estimates, apply dimensional analysis, practice unit conversions, interpret and create graphs, and use algebra to solve problems. The course integrates spreadsheet skills with graphing and introduces fundamental biological, biochemical, and biophysical modeling. This course gives you hands-on experience in simulating and analyzing living systems and thus lays the foundation for success for students who want to major in biology,  biochemistry, biophysics or neuroscience but may not have had strong high school preparation in those areas.

This course may satisfy one of the mathematics requirements for acceptance OR count as an elective for a Biology major or minor.
 
Corequisite: BIOL 001 ; and/or CHEM 010 ; and/or PHYS 003  or PHYS 003L ; or permission of the instructor. 
Natural Sciences and Engineering.
1 Credit.
Fall 2026. Collins. Geller.
Catalog chapter: Biology  and Physics and Astronomy  
Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/biology


Access the class schedule to search for sections.



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