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Patrice Boily, Chair boilyp@wcsu.edu Science Building 243, Midtown campus (203) 837-8569 (203) 837- 8769 (fax)
Lisa Taylor, Department Secretary taylorl@wcsu.edu Science Building 220, Midtown campus (203) 837-8791 (203) 837- 8769 (fax)
Faculty
Overview
The programs in the Department of Biological and Environmental Science provide students with the background required to succeed in a wide variety of fields such as cell and molecular biology, medicine, environmental science and education. A core of science courses provides a solid foundation in biology while electives allow students to pursue their special interests. All biology majors conduct independent research under the supervision of a faculty mentor.
Mission
The programs in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences provide students from diversified backgrounds with the conceptual and technical knowledge for careers in biology, environmental science, teaching, and prepare them for graduate programs and careers in the health sciences. Electives at Western allow students to pursue special interests, and all biology majors conduct independent research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. The Department also provides service courses to support the education of students in other majors.
Objectives
To accomplish this mission, the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences:
Bachelor of Arts in Biology
Options: Biology Ecological Sciences Bioscience
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Secondary Education: BiologyElementary Education: Concentration in Biology
Minor Program
Biology
Bachelor of Arts in Biology (B.A.)
Requirements:
All degree programs require the completion of general education requirements, the specified courses and credits listed below and additional free electives to total a minimum of 122 semester hours, including foreign language and exercise science. To contact the department, call (203) 837-8791.
Biology Major
This option is for students planning to continue their education in either graduate school or professional school, such as medical, dental, veterinary, etc. It also will prepare students for entry level positions, such as a laboratory technician in the pharmaceutical industry.
Required Courses:
BIO 103, 104 General Biology I & IIBIO 200 EcologyBIO 205 or 207 Animal or Plant PhysiologyBIO 300 Cell BiologyBIO 312 GeneticsBIO 325 Evolutionary BiologyBIO 360 Scientific CommunicationBIO 480 Group Senior Research or BIO 490 Senior ResearchCHE 110, 111 General Chemistry I & IICHE 210, 211 Organic Chemistry I & IIBiology electives – Two courses approved by the department (7-8 SH.). Math or science electives – 14 SH approved by the department.
Yearly Plan of Suggested Courses – MAJOR COURSES ONLY
Freshman Year
Sophomore Year
Junior Year
Senior Year
*Note: The Secondary Education – Biology (B. S.) Option is the same suggested BIO sequence, except there are NO Biology electives.
Course Restrictions For a complete list of prerequisites, corequisites and other restrictions for all courses, please consult the Course Description section of this catalog.
Bioscience OptionFor students who are not planning to continue their biology education after undergraduate school and who wish a course of study with less emphasis on physical science.Required CoursesBIO 103, 104 General Biology I & IIBIO 200 EcologyBIO 205 or 207 Animal or Plant PhysiologyBIO 310 or 311 Vertebrate Embryology or Developmental BiologyBIO 312 GeneticsBIO 325 Evolutionary BiologyBIO 360 Scientific CommunicationBIO 480 Group Senior Research or BIO 490 Senior ResearchCHE 110, 111 General Chemistry I & IIBiology electives —Courses approved by department. (7-8 SH)Math or science electives —12 SH approved by department.
Ecology Option:
This option is for students who are interested in ecology and environmental biology and who wish to either work or attend graduate school in that field.
BIO 103, 104 General Biology I & IIBIO 200 EcologyBIO 205 or 207 Animal or Plant PhysiologyBIO 216 General MicrobiologyBIO 312 GeneticsBIO 320 or 450 or 460 Conservation, Population or Ecosystem EcologyBIO 325 Evolutionary BiologyBIO 360 Scientific CommunicationBIO 480 Group Senior Research or BIO 490 Senior ResearchCHE 110, 111 General Chemistry I & IIMAT 115 or 120 Biostatistics or Elementary Statistics23-24 SH in science and math, including at least three biology courses and three physical science/math courses from the list approved by the department.
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education – Biology (B.S.)
See the Department of Education and Educational Psychology within the School of Professional Studies.
*Note: The Secondary Education – Biology (B. S.) Option is the same suggested BIO sequence as the Biology option, except there are NO Biology electives.
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education – Biology (B.S.)
Yearly Plan of Suggested Courses – BIOLOGY COURSES ONLY
*NOTE: This is the same as the Bioscience Option without CHE 110/111 in the first year.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of their degrees in Biological & Environmental Sciences:
Minor in Biology
At least 18 SH of biology courses* including:BIO 103, 104 General Biology, I & II or BIO 110 The Animal World & BIO 111 General Botany
At least 6 SH of biology courses at or above the 200-levelAdditional biology courses to total at least 18 semester hours.
*BIO 100 Concepts of Biology will not count towards the minor; BIO 105, 106 Anatomy & Physiology I & II will count if both courses are taken. Students electing to minor in Biology should consult with the department chairperson for course selection. (A minimum of one-half of all semester hours in the minor must be taken at Western. Students must attain a minimum GPA of 2.00 for the courses taken at Western.)
