Oct 15, 2024  
Fitchburg State University 2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Fitchburg State University 2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Health Sciences 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/Health Sciences


The B.S. in Biology/Health Sciences is an appropriate concentration for students interested in continuing their education in health professional programs, such as allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry,  veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatric medicine, chiropractic medicine, naturopathic medicine, nutrition, physician’s assistant, pharmacy, and physical therapy. This is not an appropriate pre-major for transfer into the University’s B.S. Nursing program. However, it would be an appropriate option for those seeking admission to post-bac nursing programs.

 

Required courses


Among the six advanced BIOL electives including the Capstone, students with the concentration in Health Sciences must also take:

Note


The BIOL 2004  and BIOL 2005  requirement will be waived in favor of the BIOL 1200  and BIOL 1300  sequence for those students who enter the major/concentration having already taken those courses, however BIOL 1200/1300 will not count as BIOL electives.

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