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, an Ecology and Environmental Science track, 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
Co-Chair, Physical and Biological Sciences Department
Email: jensenb@mail.strose.edu
Dr. Brad Bauer
Co-Chair, Physical and Biological Sciences Department
Email: bauerb@strose.edu
Program Webpage: Biology, BS
Program Requirements:
Major in Biology (68 credits)
Students must complete all of the CORE courses and the requirements for one of the tracks. The tracks may not be combined.
SCI 399 (Natural Sciences Colloquium) is required during the first year at The College of Saint Rose.
One Animal Biology course:
One Ecology course:
Those students opting for the Cell/Molecular Biology Track will also take the following courses:
Those students opting for the Ecology/Environmental Science Track will also take the following courses:
Ecology course is in additional to ecology course selected under the core requirements.
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 Core 7 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, pre-PA, 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.
Internship/Field Experiences/Service:
Required Course
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 120 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
|
|
BIO 190 Principles of Biology 1
|
4
|
|
CHM 190 General Chemistry 1
|
4
|
|
MAT 190 Calculus 1
|
4
|
|
ENG 105 Expository Writing, Oral Comm. and Research
|
4
|
|
SCI 399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
15-16 credits
|
|
BIO 191 Principles of Biology 2
|
4
|
|
CHM 191 General Chemistry 2
|
4
|
|
MAT 191 Calculus 2
|
4
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
Year 2
|
Fall Semester
|
14-16 credits
|
|
CHM 201 Organic Chemistry 1
|
4
|
|
BIO 240 Aquatic Ecology ²
or BIO 242 Ecology ²
|
4
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
|
PHY 190 Fund. of Physics 1
|
4
|
|
Spring Semester
|
15-16 credits
|
|
CHM 202 Organic Chemistry 2
|
4
|
| BIO 258 Genetics |
4 |
|
PHY 191 Fund. of Physics 2
|
4
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
Year 3
|
Fall Semester
|
14-16 credits
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
|
BIO 307 Biochemistry 1
|
4
|
|
BIO 350 Microbiology
|
4
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
|
Spring Semester
|
14-16 credits
|
|
BIO 241 Marine Ecology or BIO 243 Principles of Environmental Science or Core Requirement/General Elective ²
|
3-4
|
|
BIO 210 Anatomy and Physiology ¹
|
4
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
6-8
|
Year 4
|
Fall Semester
|
14-16 credits
|
| BIO 351 Cell Biology |
4 |
|
BIO 201 Invertebrate Zoology ¹
or BIO 234 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
|
4
|
|
BIO 400 Undergraduate Research*
|
1-4
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
6-12
|
|
Spring Semester
|
14-16 credits
|
|
BIO 360 Developmental Biology
|
4
|
|
BIO 400 Undergraduate Research*
|
1-4
|
|
Liberal Education Requirement/General Elective
|
6-12
|
|
SCI 399 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, BIO 242 of BIO 243. BIO 240 and BIO 242 are generally offered in alternating fall semesters. BIO 241 and BIO 243 are generally offered in every spring semesters.
Ecology/Environmental Track
Year 1
|
Spring Semester
|
15-16 credits
|
|
BIO 191 Principles of Biology 2
|
4
|
|
CHM 191 General Chemistry 2
|
4
|
|
MAT 191 Calculus 2
|
4
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
Year 2
|
Fall Semester
|
15-16 credits
|
|
CHM 201 Organic Chemistry 1
|
4
|
|
PHY 190 Fund. of Physics 1
|
4
|
|
BIO 240 Aquatic Ecology ² * OR
BIO 242 Ecology ² *
|
4
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
|
Spring Semester
|
14-16 credits
|
|
CHM 202 Organic Chemistry 2
|
4
|
|
PHY 191 Fund. of Physics 2
|
4
|
|
BIO 258 Genetics
|
4
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
Year 3
|
Fall Semester
|
14-16 credits
|
|
BIO 201 Invertebrate Zoology OR BIO 234 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy *
|
4
|
|
BIO 350 Microbiology
|
4
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
6-8
|
|
Spring Semester
|
14-17 credits
|
|
CHM 203 Quantitative Analysis
|
4
|
|
Liberal Education Requirement/General Elective
|
10-13
|
Year 4
|
Fall Semester
|
14-16 credits
|
|
BIO 340 Environmental Science Capstone
|
4
|
|
BIO 240 Aquatic Ecology OR
BIO 242 Ecology * 2
|
4
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
6-8
|
|
Spring Semester
|
14-16 credits
|
|
BIO 241 Marine Ecology OR BIO 243 Principles of Environmental Science * ²
|
4
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
10-12
|
* Students must take an animal biology course (BIO 201 or BIO 234), and two ecology courses (BIO 240, BIO 241, BIO 242 or BIO 243). The courses a student chooses to take in any given semester will depend the student’s progress in meeting these requirements.
2A Core or general elective course may be taken if the three biology course requirements above have been met*.
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.
Find Out More:
Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid: https://www.strose.edu/admissions/