Program Overview:
The programs in Biology provide excellent preparation for laboratory work, research, teaching, medical school, veterinary school, allied health professions (such as physical therapy or physician’s assistant), or graduate study. The curriculum provides a thorough grounding in modern biology from the molecular to the organism level. After completing their introductory courses, students will choose one of two tracks. The first is a Cell and Molecular Biology track that prepares students for careers or graduate study in medically-related fields, biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, microbiology, genetics, animal biology, and other areas. The second, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, is offered to students who wish to pursue a more field-oriented degree that emphasizes how organisms interact with their environment.
Once a student has matriculated, all major requirements must be taken at The College of Saint Rose unless formal written permission to do otherwise is given by the advisor and Dean of the School of Mathematics and Sciences with consultation of the instructor.
Students may opt to combine a science major with minors from disciplines such as political science, psychology, art and business. These combinations acquaint the student with important knowledge of a world increasingly influenced by science. Saint Rose graduates have had career opportunities in varied fields such as forensic science, law, medical illustration and genetic counseling.
Program Contacts:
Dr. Brian Jensen
Physical and Biological Sciences Department Co-Chair
Email: jensenb@mail.strose.edu
Dr. Ann Zeeh
Physical and Biological Sciences Department Co-Chair
Email: zeeha@mail.strose.edu
Program Webpage:
Biology, BS
Program Requirements:
Major in Biology (68 credits)
All Biology majors will take the following CORE courses:
Those students opting for the Cell/Molecular Biology Track will also take the following courses:
One Animal Biology course:
One Ecology course:
Additional Requirements:
Those students opting for the Ecology/Environmental Science Track will also take the following courses in addition to the CORE courses:
One Animal Biology course:
One Ecology course:
One additional Animal Biology or Ecology course from those listed:
Additional Requirements:
Students must complete all of the CORE courses and the requirements for one of these tracks. The tracks may not be combined.
All 4-credit science courses have a required laboratory component.
A student who has taken BIO 100 or equivalent and changes to a Biology major may test out of BIO 190 and substitute one biology elective or may take BIO 190, BIO 191. Testing out satisfies prerequisites.
The Department of Physical and Biological Sciences highly recommends that all students majoring in the sciences take CSC 202 in fulfillment of their L08 Liberal Education requirement.
Students failing a course in the major three times will be dismissed from the major.
For those interested in pre-professional programs such as pre-medical or pre-veterinary studies, refer to the Academic Programs and Options section of this catalog.
For those interested in honors-level undergraduate research, please refer to the Research Honors section.
Suggested 4 Year Course Plan:
This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 122 overall credits. It should be used along with your Degree Works worksheet and in consultation with your faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide, not a definitive list of courses that must be taken as written. Your faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement.
Cell/Molecular Biology Track
Year 1
|
Fall Semester
|
16 credits
|
|
BIO190 Principles of Biology 1
|
4
|
|
CHM190 General Chemistry 1
|
4
|
|
MAT190 Calculus 1
|
4
|
|
ENG105 Expository Writing, Oral Comm. and Research
|
4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
15-16 credits
|
|
BIO191 Principles of Biology 2
|
4
|
|
CHM191 General Chemistry 2
|
4
|
|
MAT191 Calculus 2
|
4
|
|
Liberal Education Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
Year 2
|
Fall Semester
|
14-16 credits
|
|
CHM201 Organic Chemistry 1
|
4
|
|
BIO240 Aquatic Ecology ²
or BIO242 Terrestrial Ecology ²
|
4
|
|
or Liberal Ed. Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
|
PHY 190
|
4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
15-16 credits
|
|
CHM202 Organic Chemistry 2
BIO 258 Genetics
|
4
4
|
|
PHY 191
|
4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
Year 3
|
Fall Semester
|
14-16 credits
|
|
Liberal Ed Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
|
BIO307 Biochemistry 1
|
4
|
|
BIO 350 Microbiology
|
4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
14-16 credits
|
|
BIO241 Marine Ecology ²
or Liberal Educ. Requirement/General Elective ²
|
3-4
|
|
|
|
BIO210 Anatomy and Physiology ¹
|
4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement/General Elective
|
6-8
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
Year 4
|
Fall Semester
|
14-16 credits
|
|
BIO351 Cell Biology
BIO201 Invertebrate Zoology ¹
or BIO234 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
|
4
|
|
BIO400 Undergraduate Research*
|
1-4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement/General Elective
|
6-12
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
14-16 credits
|
|
BIO360 Developmental Biology
|
4
|
|
BIO400 Undergraduate Research*
|
1-4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement/General Elective
|
6-12
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
¹ Students must take BIO 201, BIO 210, or BIO 234. BIO 201 and BIO 234 are generally offered in alternating fall semesters. BIO 210 is offered every spring semester.
² Students must take BIO 240, BIO 241, or BIO 242. BIO 240 and BIO 242 are generally offered in alternating fall semesters. BIO 241 is generally offered every spring semester.
Ecology/Environmental Track
Year 1
|
Fall Semester
|
16 credits
|
|
BIO190 Principles of Biology 1
|
4
|
|
CHM190 General Chemistry 1
|
4
|
|
MAT190 Calculus 1
|
4
|
|
ENG105 Expository Writing, Oral Comm. and Research
|
4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
15-16 credits
|
|
BIO191 Principles of Biology 2
|
4
|
|
CHM191 General Chemistry 2
|
4
|
|
MAT191 Calculus 2
|
4
|
|
Liberal Education Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
Year 2
|
Fall Semester
|
15-16 credits
|
|
CHM201 Organic Chemistry 1
|
4
|
|
PHY190 Fund. of Physics 1
|
4
|
|
BIO240 Aquatic Ecology ² *or
BIO242 Terrestrial Ecology ² *
|
4
|
|
Liberal Education Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
14-16 credits
|
|
CHM202 Organic Chemistry 2
|
4
|
|
PHY191 Fund. of Physics 2
|
4
|
|
BIO 258 Genetics
|
4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
Year 3
|
Fall Semester
|
14-16 credits
|
|
BIO201 Invertebrate Zoology or
BIO234 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy *
|
4
|
|
BIO350 Microbiology
|
4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement/General Elective
|
6-8
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
14-17 credits
|
|
BIO241 Marine Ecology ² * or
Liberal Educ. Requirement/General Elective ² *
|
3-4
|
|
BIO358 Genetics
|
4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement/General Elective
|
6-9
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
Year 4
Year 4
|
Fall Semester
|
14-16 credits
|
|
BIO310 Comparative Physiology
|
4
|
|
BIO201 Invertebrate Zoology or
BIO234 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy or
BIO240 Aquatic Ecology or
BIO242 Terrestrial Ecology * ³
|
3-4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement/General Elective
|
6-8
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
14-16 credits
|
|
BIO360 Developmental Biology
|
4
|
|
BIO241 Marine Ecology * ² ³
|
3-4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement/General Elective
|
6-8
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
* Students must take an animal biology course (BIO 201 or BIO 234), an ecology course (BIO 240, BIO 241, or BIO 242), and an one additional animal biology or Ecology course chosen from those 5 courses. The courses a student chooses to take in any given semester will depend the student’s progress in meeting these requirements.
2 Satisfies either the ecology course requirement or the additional animal biology/Ecology course, depending on courses previously taken.
3 A liberal education or general elective course may be taken if the three biology course requirements above have been met*.
Internship/Field Experiences/Service:
Required Course
Professional Accreditation:
The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.
The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org
Career Opportunities and Graduate Study:
The program in biology provides excellent preparation for laboratory work, research, medical school, veterinary school, allied health professions, or graduate study.
Getting the undergraduate experiences necessary to qualify a student for medical, dental, or veterinary school can be challenging. While no specific undergraduate major is required, Biochemistry combined with field specific courses is strongly recommended. Faculty members at The College of Saint Rose help to ensure that students who want to go to medical, dental, or veterinary school have the advice, coursework, and support they need to help them prepare an effective application. Students are guided by the Pre-Med committee, a group of six faculty members who are dedicated to keeping students on-track for their chosen field.
Admissions and Financial Aid Information:
The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of First-Year applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete an application as early as October. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.
What Makes an Application Complete
- Online or Paper application (fee waived for all applicants!)
- Official High School Transcripts
- Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
- SAT or ACT scores (See Test Optional FAQ's)
- Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
- Essay or Graded Paper
- Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
- Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.
- Music applicants are required to complete an audition.
Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)
Scholarships and Financial Aid
See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.
The Bottom Line
The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we award more than $34 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.
Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.
More about Financial Aid
Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make your education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.
The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.
Find Out More: