Home 2015-2016 Undergraduate College Catalog Undergraduate Programs of Study(Majors, Minors & Requirements) Biology

Biology

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Undergraduate Programs of Study(Majors, Minors & Requirements)

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Introduction

The major program in Biology seeks to provide a solid foundation in the traditional discipline with courses such as Human Anatomy and Physiology, Histology, Microbiology, Developmental Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Evolutionary Biology.

Students may choose to major in Biology, Biochemistry, or Environmental Studies. In addition, students may minor in biology, or environmental studies. Students can also choose to follow the pre-health concentration within the major, or minor in prehealth or health sciences.

With several different teaching laboratories on campus as well as the senior research project you will get hands on experience as well as classroom time. There are also a variety of different internship opportunities that may be explored.

Students that have decided to study Biology at Manhattanville have gone on to complete medical school, dental school and other programs, as well as work in research labs, aquariums and museums.

Degree

Bachelor of Arts. In addition to majoring in biology, students can choose to minor in biology, environmental studies, pre-health, and health sciences.

Career Ideas

Agronomist, Animal Scientist, Aquarium Curator, Biologist, Botanist, Dentist, Environmental Engineer, Forensic Science Technician, General Internist, Geneticist, Horticulturalist, Microbiologist, Oceanographer, Pharmacist, Soil Scientist, Zoologist, Science Teacher

Program Administrators

Wendy McFarlane, Department Chair, (914) 798-2740, Wendy.McFarlane@mville.edu

Faculty and Staff

LAB MANAGER

Karolina Rafalski

FULL-TIME FACULTY

Wendy J. McFarlane - Comparative physiology, environmental physiology, marine biology/ecology

Nancy Todd - Ecology and evolution, anatomy, vertebrate biology, environmental studies

Anna Yeung-Cheung - Microbiology, virology, immunology, human disease, infectious disease and nutrition in health & disease

Christopher Pappas - Molecular biology, genetics, nutrition, parasitology and microbiology

ADJUNCT FACULTY

David Cassuto - wellness, sports medicine

Denis Liveris - biochemistry, molecular biology

James Monks - anatomy, human biology, neuroscience

Lisa Papernik – plant biology

Sunera Rahman - environmental science

Charles Spindel – anatomy & physiology

Robert Stobezki - introductory biology

Linnea Vose - introductory biology

Overview

Students experience the breadth of the biological sciences with choice of such courses as Bioethics, Biology of Cancer, Environmental Ecology, Global Environmentalism, Immunology, Molecular Cell Biology, Vertebrate Biology, Invertebrate Zoology, Nutrition in Health and Disease, and Anatomy & Physiology.

Early on in your time in the Biology Department you will get a faculty advisor and later a research mentor to help develop your skills and laboratory experiences so that you receive a well-rounded education. Along with your mentors, you will develop close ties to your fellow biology classmates that will stay with you long after graduation.

Biology Laboratories

The Department of Biology has laboratories for principles of biology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, environmental ecology and a clean tissue and cell culture facility. The laboratories are gradually being equipped with digital media capability. The greenhouse has been recently renovated and allows for additional experimentation.

There is also an environmentally-friendly "Eco-classroom" complete with an Ecomachine that filters water from the Holladay stream in the northeastern corner of the campus. The Eco-classroom is constructed of all recycled and green materials and is used for teaching, research and outreach. It is situated within the Ohnell Environmental Park, our "Living Outdoor Classroom" which is used for research and teaching and various interdisciplinary endeavors, and recently includes a composting project and organic garden.

Students have the opportunity to use these laboratories and spaces for independent research as well as a variety of course-related activities.

Academic Integrity

The Department of Biology supports the mission of Manhattanville College by providing an environment conducive to greater academic and personal achievement for all of its students. The Biology faculty seek to promote a strong sense of mutual respect and fairness among all of the members, faculty, staff, and students of its department. The biology department has adopted a "zero-tolerance" policy regarding any form of academic dishonesty. All offenses will have severe consequences. The Biology Honor Code Contract will be distributed and discussed in each biology class and students are required to abide by this code.

Laboratory Safety

To work in the biology laboratories, the department has set safety standards and regulations for use of the lab spaces. These rules are designed to ensure safety of students, staff and faculty members in laboratory settings. The Lab Safety Contract is a general guideline to follow; each laboratory session will have additional safety training and there will be safety rules specific to the laboratory content and procedures. The safety contract will be distributed and discussed in each biology class and students are required to abide by these rules.

Biology Major Requirements

Entry-level requirements and co-requisites:

Bio 1001 Principles of Biology I (Prerequisite: BIO.1000: Introduction to Biology, BIO.1002:
Principles of Biology II, or passing score on placement exam.) and Bio 1002 Principles of Biology II (Prerequisite: BIO.1000: Introduction to Biology, BIO.1001:
Principles of Biology I, or passing score on placement exam) completed with a minimum grade of C, or evidence of high achievement in equivalent course work, ar are prerequisites for all biology courses above the 2000 level. NOTE: If a C - or below is received in either class, it must be retaken and passed with a minimum grade of C before
students can progress to the 3000-level electives.

Chem 1001 Principles of Chemistry I (Prerequisite: CHM.1000 Intro to Chemistry or passing score on Chemistry Placement Exam) and Chem 1003 Principles of Chemistry I Lab (Prerequisite: CHM.1001 Principles of Chemistry I), and Chem 1002 Principles of Chemistry II (Prerequisite: CHM.1001 with a grade of C- or better) and Chem 1004 Principles of Chemistry II Lab (Prerequisite:Prerequisite: CHM 1001: Principles of Chemistry I and CHM 1003: Principles of Chemistry I Lab, with a minimum grade of C-; or permission of the instructor) , completed with a minimum grade of C- are prerequisites for some biology courses above the 2000 level.

Calculus I completed with a minimum grade of C -.

Prospective majors and students interested in enrolling in Principles of Biology I or II need to complete the Biology Placement Exam, which is an online exam located on Blackboard at http://blackboard9.mville.edu.

Students registering for Bio 1001 must take the Biology Placement test to determine placement in Bio 1001 or Bio 1000. Students registering for Bio 1002 who have not taken Bio 1001 or Bio 1000 must also take a placement test before they are allowed to register.

It is strongly recommended that students take Principles of Biology and Principles of Chemistry in the freshman year. Students who begin the program as General Biology majors and plan to pursue graduate study or a career in the health professions must complete the appropriate co-requisites before applying (see pre-health and graduate school preparation). Sample schedules for advising are available in the biology department.

Upper Level Biology Requirements:

Seven elective courses above the 1000 level. Four of these must be laboratory courses (4 credits), and one 3 credit elective may be an independent study or internship.

For the General Biology Program, no more than two of the major courses may be at the 2000 level. Students preparing for the health professions or graduate school (see below) should not take more than one 2000 course as part of their seven course electives. Biology majors should seek an advisor from the Biology department in the beginning of their sophomore year to guide in the choice of program and electives.

Senior Research sequence: BIO 3099 (Prerequisites: Principles of Biology I and II with grade of C or better, Principles of Chemistry I and II (with Lab)
with grade of C- or better), BIO 3499 (Prerequisites: Principles of Biology I and II with grade of C or better; Principles of Chemistry I and II (with Lab)
with grade of C- or better; BIO.3099: Research Seminar with grade of C- or better), BIO 3998 (Prerequisites: BIO.1001 and BIO.1002, with a minimum grade of C; BIO.3099 and BIO.3499 with a minimum grade of C-; CHM.1001, CHM.1002, CHM.1003, and CHM.1004 with a minimum grade of C-).

Note: All upper level major courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C-.

Biology Senior Research Program

Every undergraduate major must complete a research project that begins in the fall semester of their 3rd year. Each senior works closely with a mentor in the biology department to develop an independent and original research topic that culminates in a senior paper and presentation at the end of the senior year.

In addition to the entry-level requirements and co-requisites, and the seven electives, as outlined above, biology majors must complete the following three-course research sequence (see course descriptions below for further details):

BIO 3099: Research Seminar
BIO 3499: Senior Research
BIO 3998: Senior Evaluation

All of the biology faculty members have on-going and short-term research projects and programs, and this required research sequence allows for scholarship development for both faculty and students. Students often have the opportunity to present their undergraduate research project at local, regional and national conferences, and some projects are ultimately published in peer-reviewed journals.

All students in research seminar and senior research are required to attend the senior presentations, and all majors are encouraged to attend.

Departmental Honors

Departmental Honors are conferred upon graduating seniors who have maintained a Biology grade point average of 3.5, have received a minimum grade of A- for the Senior Evaluation, and have contributed to the activities of the Biology department.

Students must meet the following requirements in order to complete the Honors program within the Biology major:

Completion of Principles of Biology I and II with a minimum grade of B+, or present evidence of high achievement in equivalent courses.
Seven additional one-semester, 3000-level courses in Biology with a minimum grade of B+.
Of these seven additional Biology courses, six must be laboratory courses.
Principles of Chemistry I and II with laboratories with a minimum grade of B+.
Organic Chemistry I and II with laboratories with a minimum grade of B+.
Biochemistry I, with laboratory, with a minimum grade of B+.
College Physics I and II with laboratories, with a minimum grade of B+.
Mathematics through Calculus II, with a minimum grade of B+.
Senior research program. A minimum grade of A- must be obtained in the course sequence.
Students must declare interest in this Honors Program by the end of their 3rd semester or in the first semester for transfer students. Students should notify the Chair of the Biology Department in writing that they would like to be considered for the Honors Program.

Health Professions and Graduate School Preparation

Prerequisites:

For those students planning to pursue health-related careers such as medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, optometry, osteopathy, physical therapy, nursing, or medical technology, or for those preparing for graduate school, the following prerequisites are required:

Principles of Biology I and II (BIO 1001, BIO 1002)
Principles of Chemistry I and II with Laboratories (CHM 1001, 1003, 1002, 1004)
Organic Chemistry I and II with Laboratories (CHM 2001, 2005, 2002, 2006)
Calculus I and II (MATH 1030, 1032)
Physics I and II (either college or university physics)
English Literature course in addition to an academic writing course (e.g. ENC).
Statistics is strongly recommended (Biostatistics or Statistics for the Social Sciences)
Prospective health science minors interested in enrolling in Principles of Biology I or II also need to complete the Biology Placement Exam, which is an online exam located on Blackboard at http://blackbboard9.mville.edu

Biology Minor

Bio 1001 Principles of Biology I and Bio 1002 Principles of Biology II, completed with a minimum grade of C, or evidence of high achievement in equivalent course work, are prerequisites for all biology courses above the 2000 level. If a C -
or below is received in either class, it must be retaken and passed with a minimum grade of C before students can progress to the 3000-level electives.

Chem 1001 Principles of Chemistry I and Chem 1003 Principles of Chemistry I Lab, and Chem 1002 Principles of Chemistry II and Chem 1004 Principles of Chemistry II Lab, completed with a minimum grade of C- are prerequisites for all biology courses above the 2000 level.
Four additional one-semester courses in Biology of which three should be laboratory courses above the 2000-level. An independent study may fulfill one 3 credit elective.
Prospective biology minors interested in enrolling in Principles of Biology I or II also need to complete the Biology Placement Exam, which is an online exam located on Blackboard at http://blackboard9.mville.edu.