Mar 28, 2024  
Fitchburg State University 2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Fitchburg State University 2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology, B.S.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Undergraduate Day Programs

Biology


Chairperson
Meledath Govindan
Professors
Associate Professors
Assistant Professors
George Babich (Biology) Ronald Krieser (Biology) Dennis Awasabisah (Chemistry)
Meledath Govindan (Chemistry) John Ludlam (Biology) Emma Downs (Chemistry)
Michael Nosek (Biology) Aisling O’Connor (Chemistry) Steven Fiedler (Chemistry)
Christopher Picone (Biology) Thomas Schoenfeld (Biology) Lisa Grimm (Biology)
    Natalie Karagodsky (Biology)
    Elizabeth Kilpatrick (Biology)
    Mathangi Krishnamurthy (Chemistry)
    Erin Rehrig (Biology)
    Sean Rollins (Biology)
    Billy Samulak (Chemistry)
    Daniel Welsh (Biology)

Objectives for the Program in Biology

Fitchburg State University offers a biology program that emphasizes basic scientific principles while challenging students.  The Department of Biology and Chemistry has a rich history of producing successful graduates in secondary education, biotechnology, environmental biology and health sciences.  Our faculty foster a supportive teaching and learning environment, offer individual attention to students, and provide numerous undergraduate and graduate research opportunities.  The Biology and Chemistry Club sponsors social events to encourage interaction between students and faculty.  The department also offers courses in laboratory science for 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 or internship 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 Science (BS) students are required to take courses in related sciences and two courses in mathematics at or above MATH 1300 .

Career Options


The general Biology B.S. degree prepares students for a wide range of careers. Some of the graduates have gone to work in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries; some have gone on to graduate schools and health-professional schools in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant, chiropractic, nursing and clinical laboratory sciences.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Undergraduate Day Programs