Mar 28, 2024  
Fitchburg State University 2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Fitchburg State University 2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology, B.A.


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Biology


Chairperson
Margaret Hoey
Professors
Associate Professors
Assistant Professors
George Babich (Biology)
Michael Nosek (Biology)
Lisa Grimm (Biology)
Judith Ciottone (Chemistry)
Christopher Picone (Biology)
Ronald Krieser (Biology)
Meledath Govindan (Chemistry)
Thomas Schoenfeld (Biology) Mathangi Krishnamurthy (Chemistry)
Margaret Hoey (Biology)
  John Ludlam (Biology)
Da-hong Lu (Chemistry)   Aisling O’Connor (Chemistry)
Howard Thomas (Biology)
  Erin Rehrig (Biology)
    Sean Rollins (Biology)

Objectives for the Program in Biology

The Biology Department offers an educational program that is sound and challenging. The program has a vibrant, dedicated faculty with a broad range of expertise in the biological sciences. The faculty serve as  teacher/mentor/scholar. This provides a positive role model for Biology majors. The department has a rich history of producing successful graduates in teacher training, biotechnology, and environmental science. The department provides a supportive teaching/learning environment giving individual attention to students and research opportunities. Student training includes a strong foundation in bioethics which is fostered within in the curriculum. Students become aware of career potentials by close association with their academic advisors. The Biology and Chemistry Club provides an interface between students and the department which allows for personal and social interactions. The department also offers courses in laboratory science for students in all other majors.

Requirements for the Major in Biology

All Biology majors are required to take four core courses and six advanced BIOL electives (>2000) including a Capstone course, for a total of 36 credits.

The core biology courses include student laboratory work so that students develop the skills of scientific inquiry. Students develop scientific literacy through reading, writing, testing hypotheses, and quantitative analysis. Core courses also integrate computer literacy through lab activities.

Core courses required in the Biology major


Additional Requirements


Biology majors also take six advanced electives at or above BIOL 2000. Independent study, directed study, internship or teaching practicum may each count as one advanced BIOL elective in a student’s program of study. Courses with a separate lecture and lab registration count as a single elective: the lab portion of a course does not constitute a distinct biology elective.

One of the six electives must be a designated Capstone course. Students in the Capstone course conduct a research project to demonstrate their skills in research design and analysis. The Capstone course also meets the  University’s Listening and Speaking and Junior/Senior Writing requirement.

Capstone course options


Capstone courses must be taken at Fitchburg State: courses that transfer as the equivalent course will not fulfill this requirement. Independent studies (BIOL 4903 ) require approval by the departmental curriculum committee in order to fulfill the Capstone requirement.

Required courses in related sciences


In addition to BIOL courses, Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) students are required to take courses in related sciences and two courses in mathematics at or above MATH 1300 . Bachelor of Arts students are required to have foreign language proficiency at the Intermediate level.

Note:

These requirements are slightly modified for the Bachelor of Science in Biology/Environmental Science.

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