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Dec 21, 2024
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Fitchburg State University 2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Neuroscience and Behavior Concentration, Biology, B.S.
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Biology
Chairperson
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| Meledath Govindan |
Professors
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Associate Professors
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Assistant Professors
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| 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) |
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John Ludlam (Biology) |
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Aisling O’Connor (Chemistry) |
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Erin Rehrig (Biology) |
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Sean Rollins (Biology) |
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Billy Samulak (Chemistry) |
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Daniel Welsh (Biology) |
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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/Neuroscience and Behavior
The Bachelor of Science in Biology/Neuroscience and Behavior is an appropriate concentration for biology students pursuing future employment and careers in academic, industrial, or clinical settings broadly related to the neural and behavioral sciences. The concentration includes all of the requirements for the BS in Biology. Among the six BIOL electives required for the BS in Biology, including the Capstone, students must take BIOL 2650 (Neuroscience) and at least two courses providing additional perspectives to the study of neuroscience and behavior. Choose from the following
In addition
Students with the concentration in Neuroscience and Behavior must also take |
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