Biology

Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences

Department of Biological Sciences

Chair: Wendy L. Kimber, Ph.D.

Description

Students interested in careers in many areas of biology and the biomedical sciences can earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Stevenson University. The biology program provides students with a broad biological background in environmental, organismal, cellular, and molecular biology. By choosing additional electives in areas of special interest, students are then able to tailor their studies to suit their future goals. Independent research is integrated into coursework at all levels, and critical thinking and teamwork skills are emphasized.

Our graduates are well prepared for careers in industry or research, admission to graduate school in biology or related fields and admission to medical, dental, veterinary, physical therapy, or other health profession schools.

Objectives

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Biology, graduates will be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge of fundamental biological principles to the description and analysis of living systems.
  2. Evaluate function as it relates to structure throughout the spectrum of biological organization.
  3. Apply laboratory research skills and techniques to the investigation of biological questions.
  4. Evaluate scientific issues and findings using primary research literature.
  5. Communicate scientific findings in written and oral formats appropriate to the audience.
  6. Conduct oneself in a manner consistent with the professional and ethical standards of the discipline.
  7. Apply academic preparation to professional experiences outside the classroom.

Policies

Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major, and the lowest acceptable grade is a "C" in all major and Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE) courses. No student, regardless of major, will be permitted to take a science or math course unless he/she earns a grade of "C" or better in all prerequisite courses.

A student may not earn a grade of “C-” or lower in any science or math course more than three times during the program. If a fourth grade of “C-” or lower is earned in any science or math course, the student will be automatically dismissed from the biology major.

Probation : The student who earns any combination of two grades of “C-” or lower in a science or math course will be notified, in writing, by the department chair that he or she is on probation in the Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences.

Final Probation: The student who earns any combination of three grades of “C-” or lower in a science or math course will be notified, in writing, by the department chair that he or she is on final probation in the Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences.

Dismissal: If a fourth grade of “C-” or lower in any science or math course is earned, the student will be notified, in writing, by the department chair that he or she has been dismissed from the major.

Requirements

The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor’s degree in biology. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE).

Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.

Major Requirements

FYS 100First Year Seminar

1 credit

or

SCI 100School of the Sciences Transfer Student Seminar

1 credit

BIO 113General Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics

3 credits

BIO 113LGeneral Biology I Laboratory: Cell Biology and Genetics

1 credit

BIO 114General Biology II: Structure and Function of Organisms

3 credits

BIO 114LGeneral Biology II Laboratory: Structure and Function of Organisms

1 credit

BIO 115General Biology III: Ecology and Evolution

3 credits

BIO 115LGeneral Biology III Laboratory: Ecology and Evolution

1 credit

BIO 230Genetics

4 credits

BIO 235LDiversity of Life

2 credits

CHEM 115General Chemistry I

3 credits

CHEM 115LGeneral Chemistry I Laboratory

1 credit

CHEM 115SGeneral Chemistry I SoLVE

0 credits

CHEM 116General Chemistry II

3 credits

CHEM 116LGeneral Chemistry II Laboratory

1 credit

CHEM 116SGeneral Chemistry II SoLVE

0 credits

CHEM 210Organic Chemistry I

3 credits

CHEM 210LOrganic Chemistry I Laboratory

1 credit

CHEM 211Organic Chemistry II

3 credits

CHEM 211LOrganic Chemistry II Laboratory

1 credit

MATH 136Introduction to Statistics

4 credits

MATH 220Calculus I

4 credits

PHYS 210General Physics I

4 credits

or

PHYS 215General Physics I with Calculus

4 credits

PHYS 211General Physics II

4 credits

or

PHYS 216General Physics II with Calculus

4 credits

SCI 215Writing in the Sciences

3 credits

Biology Electives (Complete all 3 groups)

Group 1: Three 200-level biology courses

Group 2: Two additional biology courses**

Group 3: Four additional 300- or 400-level biology courses**

**Students may also choose to take up to two environmental science and/or medical laboratory science courses to fulfill the biology electives.


Complete one of the following senior capstone options

BIO 450Senior Research Capstone

5 credits

BIO 455Senior Internship Capstone

5 credits

BIO 460Senior Research Capstone

9 credits

BIO 460HHonors Senior Research Capstone

9 credits

BIO 465Senior Internship Capstone

9 credits

BIO 465HHonors Senior Internship Capstone

9 credits

BIO 460, BIO 460H, BIO 465, BIO 465H: Students choosing one of the 9-credit senior capstone options can take one less upper level Biology elective.

Suggested Course Sequence

Suggested Course Sequence Biology

Minor in Biology

The minor in biology requires successful completion of a minimum of six courses and 18 credits with a BIO prefix. For biology courses with a separate lab co-requisite, both the lab and lecture for the course must be taken; however, the lab does not count as a separate course toward the minor.
Courses ineligible for the biology minor include:

Please see the Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences for further information regarding this minor. General guidelines regarding minors may be found in the Minors section of the catalog.

Other Options

Biology Department Honors Requirements:

Eligible students majoring in biology may elect to pursue honors within the Department of Biological Sciences. The intention to pursue biology department honors must be declared no later than the end of the first semester of the junior year. To declare the intent to pursue department honors, a student must have earned a science GPA of 3.50 or higher.

Students graduating with biology department honors will have this distinction noted on their official university transcript. In order to graduate with department honors, the following requirements must be met:

  • Completion of a 400-level capstone experience with a grade of “B” or better
  • Completion of BIO 440 Seminar Topics in Biology with a grade of “B” or better
  • Completion of an Honors Contract Project in an upper-level biology course. A grade of “B” or better must be earned in the course in which an Honors Contract Project is completed. The student must submit a contract project proposal to be approved by department faculty before beginning the project. The final project must be approved by department faculty in order to receive honors credit.
  • A science GPA of 3.50 or higher at the time of graduation

BS/MFS Option: The BS/MFS option is available for students majoring in biology who wish to combine their bachelor’s coursework with work toward a Stevenson University master’s degree in forensic science. Students choosing this option may earn their master's degrees in as little as one year after their bachelor's degree. Interested students must formally apply for entrance into this BS/MFS option in their junior year. Once admitted into this program, students develop an educational plan in consultation with their undergraduate and graduate advisors. Please see the Forensic Sciences  section of this catalog for more information.

BS/MAT Option: The BS/MAT option is available for students majoring in biology who wish to combine their bachelor's coursework with work toward a Stevenson University master's degree in teaching. Please see Additional Enrollment Options in the Admissions section of this catalog for more information.

Service-Learning Options: Service learning options are offered periodically with some biology courses. Please consult the course instructor or the department chair if you have any questions.

Course Descriptions

See Biology Course Descriptions.