Dec 30, 2024  
Fitchburg State University 2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Fitchburg State University 2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biotechnology Concentration, Biology, B.S.


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Biology


Chairperson
 
Meledath Govindan
Professors
Associate Professors
Assistant Professors
Christopher Cratsley (Biology) Steven Fiedler (Chemistry) Dennis Awasabisah (Chemistry)
Meledath Govindan (Chemistry) Lisa Grimm (Biology) Emma Downs (Chemistry)
Michael Nosek (Biology) Ronald Krieser (Biology) Elizabeth Kilpatrick (Biology)
Christopher Picone (Biology) Mathangi Krishnamurthy (Chemistry) Eric Williams (Biology)
  John Ludlam (Biology)  
  Aisling O’Connor (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.

Biology majors must earn a minimum grade of 2.0 in General Biology I and General Chemistry I.  If a grade below 2.0 is earned in either course, that course must be repeated before enrolling in any subsequent BIOL or CHEM classes. They are also limited to two attempts for each of General Biology I and General Chemistry I.  If Biology majors earn <2.0 or a W in a second attempt, they must find another major that more closely matches their skills and interests.

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 .

BS in Biology/Biotechnology


The Bachelor of Science in Biology/Biotechnology concentration includes all of the requirements for the Biology major. When choosing their six advanced electives including a Capstone course, students in this  concentration must take BIOL 3250 - Cell Biology  and at least three courses from the following: BIOL 3060 , BIOL 3350 BIOL 2150 , BIOL 4500 , or BIOL 4810  

 

Career Options


The Biotechnology concentration in the B.S. Biology major is designed to direct students to courses that will introduce them to many of the new techniques and instrumentation used in academic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical research laboratories as well as government laboratories. In addition to providing an understanding of the principles underlying these technologies, many of the courses are laboratory-based where students gain hands-on experience with several of these cutting-edge laboratory techniques.

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