Biology
Chairperson
Margaret Hoey
Professors
George Babich
Dorothy Boisvert
Margaret Hoey
Howard Thomas
Associate Professors
Christopher Cratsley
Michael Nosek
Assistant Professors
Christopher Picone
Thomas Schoenfeld
Natalie Stassen
Objectives for the Program in Biology
The Biology Department offers an educational program that is sound and challenging. The program has a vibrant, dedicated faculty with a broad range of expertise in the biological sciences. The faculty serve as teacher/mentor/scholar. This provides a positive role model for Biology majors. The department has a rich history of producing successful graduates in teacher training, biotechnology, and environmental science. The department provides a supportive teaching/learning environment giving individual attention to students and research opportunities. Student training includes a strong foundation in bioethics which is fostered within in the curriculum. Students become aware of career potentials by close association with their academic advisors. The Biology Club provides an interface between students and the department which allows for personal and social interactions. The department also offers courses in laboratory science for students in all other majors.
Requirements for the Major in Biology
All students in either the bachelor of science or bachelor of arts programs in Biology (exceptions listed below) are offered a required core sequence of courses. These core biology courses all involve student laboratory work to develop the skills of scientific inquiry. Students are introduced to computer applications for biological research in General Biology I and II, as part of their Computer Literacy requirement. These skills are utilized and expanded upon in their upper level biology courses. Students also develop scientific literacy through reading, writing, and talking about scientific concepts in these courses. In Developmental Biology, the capstone course of the Biology core, students demonstrate their mastery of these skills as part of their Listening and Speaking and Junior/Senior Writing requirements.
BIOL 1800 General Biology I
BIOL 1900 General Biology II
BIOL 2300 Ecology
BIOL 2800 Genetics
BIOL 3250 Cell Biology
BIOL 3550 Developmental Biology
In addition, at least four elective courses at or above the 2000 level are required of biology majors to bring the total number of credits in the major to at least 36 credits. Independent study, guided study, internship or teaching practicum may each count for one of these courses in any given semester.
Finally, bachelor of arts and bachelor of science students are required to take courses in related sciences and two courses in mathematics at or above the level of MATH 1300. Bachelor of arts students are required to have foreign language proficiency at the Intermediate level.
Required Courses in Related Sciences
CHEM 1300 General Chemistry I
CHEM 1400 General Chemistry II
CHEM 2000 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 2100 Organic Chemistry II
PHYS 2300 General Physics I
PHYS 2400 General Physics II
Exceptions: The requirements are slightly modified for the bachelor of science in Biology/Environmental Science and the bachelor of science in Biology/Exercise Science programs.
BS in Biology/Biotechnology
The bachelor of science in Biology/Biotechnology includes all of the core requirements for the bachelor of science in Biology. In addition, the four Biology electives are replaced by Biochemistry, General Microbiology and Molecular Biology and one Biology elective at or above the 2000 level.
BS in Biology with Initial Teacher Licensure
Students within our Biology major can pursue initial licensure as high school Biology teachers. This program provides students with both a broad introduction to high school teaching and specific instruction in the theory, research and practice of secondary science teaching. Students engage in field-based experiences in the school setting supervised by our faculty through on-site pre-practicum experiences coupled with each teaching course and a formal teaching practicum as the capstone experience. This program is nationally accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and boasts graduates working in high schools throughout the region.
Students interested in pursuing Initial Teacher Licensure must apply for formal admission to the program. For information about undergraduate requirements in teacher preparation, see the section titled: Teacher Preparation Programs (Undergraduate). In addition to the required courses for the major, students in the program must take a core sequence of teacher preparation courses.
Core Requirements
BIOL 2860 Introduction to Secondary School Teaching
EDUC 1021 Orientation to Education
SPED 3800 Secondary Programs for Adolescents (14-22) with Special Needs
ENGL 4700 Teaching Reading and Writing in Middle and
Secondary Schools
BIOL 4850 Biology Teaching Methods
BIOL 4860/4870 Biology Practicum in a Secondary School (300 hrs.)
Post Baccalaureate Program in Biology, 8-12
Students who hold a bachelor's degree and wish to become a secondary level (grades 8-12) teacher of Biology, may complete a post baccalaureate program that consists of the equivalent of a degree in biology and 18 credit hours of pedagogical coursework in education.
Students who are interested in the program must meet the following criteria:
- Evidence of a bachelor's degree
- A GPA of 2.8 or better
- Successful completion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure: Communication and Literacy Skills Sub-test
Once accepted, students will undergo a transcript review by the graduate program chair or undergraduate advisor, as designated by the department and a plan of study will be developed that address:
- Courses missing (if applicable) in the subject that are equivalent to the requirements for the major will be determined through a transcript review. Students will complete all requirements of the major and license as identified in the undergraduate program.
- Courses as identified below in the teacher preparation program (pedagogy courses):
When courses are in a student's plan of study, they will complete the plan of study at the undergraduate level, or at the graduate level if the equivalent is offered.
Once the licensure program is completed, students can request admission to the graduate program after completing additional admissions requirements as designated by the department. Once the licensure program is completed, students can request admission to the graduate program after completing additional admissions requirements as designated by the department.
Required Education Courses
BIOL 2860 Introduction to Secondary Teaching
ENGL 4700 Teaching Reading and Writing in Middle and Secondary Schools
SPED 3800 Adolescents with Special Needs
BIOL 4850 Special Methods in Teaching Biology
BIOL 4860 Practicum I (150 Hrs.)
BIOL 4870 Practicum II (150 Hrs.)
Once a student has completed all requirements for professional and content specific courses, they will be eligible for endorsement in their selected field through Fitchburg State College.
BS in Biology/Environmental Biology
The bachelor of science in Biology/Environmental Biology is an appropriate concentration for students interested in environmental careers, including ecology research, environmental protection, or state agencies. This concentration includes of the requirements of the bachelor of science in Biology with the following exceptions:
1. Environmental Science (ENSC 1000) is required. 2. One of the four Biology electives is replaced by an internship of 3-6 credits in an environmental area (ENSC 4950). 3. Two semesters of General Physics can be replaced with any two courses at or above the 2000 level with a GEOG or PHYS designation. For example, this requirement would be fulfilled by any two courses from the following list: Physics I, Physics II, Geology, Atmospheres, Oceanography, Map Use, Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems, or Environmental Hydrogeology. Students considering graduate studies should note that Physics is required by some graduate programs. 4. While the MATH requirements are the same as for any Biology major, Applied Statistics (MATH 1700) is encouraged.
BS in Biology/Exercise Science
The Biology bachelor's degree in Exercise Science is different than the Exercise and Sport Science degree offered by the Exercise and sport science department. The bachelor of science in exercise science in biology shares common course requirements with the bachelor of science degree except for the substitution of Anatomy and Physiology I & II for General Biology. Students are prepared for employment in the fitness industry, including the corporate, hospital or commercial setting. Many students go on to graduate programs in either Biology or exercise related disciplines, such as, Physical Therapy. This major provides a strong foundation in the biological sciences which then supports a multifaceted series of courses such as exercise physiology, adaptations, nutrition and heart disease offered by the Exercise and Sport Science Department.
BIOL 1800 General Biology I
BIOL 1200 Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 1300 Anatomy and Physiology II
BIOL 1650 Nutrition
BIOL 2800 Genetics
BIOL 3250 Cell Biology
BIOL 3450 Biochemistry
BIOL 3550 Developmental Biology
EXSS 2070 Exercise Physiology
EXSS 4025 Motor Learning and Control of Human Movement
EXSS 3020 Biomechanics
*BIOL 4950 Internship or
EXSS 4950 Internship or
EXSS 3450 Exercise Testing and Programming
* A 2.5 cumulative gpa is required for the internship.
Requirements for the Minor in Biology
The minor in Biology enables students to demonstrate a substantial and coordinated subsidiary expertise in biological sciences. The minor in Biology requires a minimum of 18 semester hours of course work as follows:
One year (6 or 8 semester hours) of any of the entry-level
Biology sequences:
BIOL 1000 Life Science I and
BIOL 1100 Life Science II or
BIOL 1200 Anatomy and Physiology I and
BIOL 1300 Anatomy and Physiology II or
BIOL 1800 General Biology I and
BIOL 1900 General Biology II
Ten semester hours of 2000, 3000, 4000-level courses selected after consultation with a minors advisor in the Biology Department.
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