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Dr. Neeta Connally, Co-Chair connallyn@wcsu.edu Science Building 140, Midtown campus (203) 837-8749
Dr. Michelle Monette, Co-Chair monettem@wcsu.edu Science Building 141, Midtown campus (203) 837-9894
Eliamar Gonzalez, Department Secretary gonzalezel@wcsu.edu Science Building 220, Midtown campus (203) 837-8791
Faculty
Overview
The programs in the Department of Biology provide students with the background required to succeed in a wide variety of fields such as cell and molecular biology, medicine, environmental science, meteorology and education. A core of science courses provides a solid foundation while electives allow students to pursue their special interests. All majors conduct research under the supervision of a faculty mentor.
Mission
The programs in the Department of Biology provide students from diverse backgrounds with the conceptual and technical knowledge for careers in organismal, cell, and molecular biology, environmental science, and 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 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 Biology
Learning Outcomes
By the completion of their BS degree in Biology:
Degree Programs in Biology
B.S. in Biology Options: Biology Ecology Pre-Health
Secondary Education: Biology
B.S. in Atmospheric and Climate Science
Minor Programs Biology Astronomy Earth and Planetary Sciences Meteorology Physics
Bachelor of Science in Biology (B.S.)
BS Biology
Description: This option is for students who are looking for a broad biology education and workforce training.
Degree Requirements All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH) that include major requirements, general education requirements, and electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.
Required Courses in the Major: 52-53 (SH).
General Education: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. The WCSU General Education curriculum invites students to encounter a broad range of topics and skills in the liberal arts and sciences. The system requires students to successfully complete a minimum of 40 semester hours split across eleven learning areas. Generally, students can satisfy the requirements for a given learning area with any course they choose within that area; some programs of study may require specific Major Designated General Education Courses; if so, they will be listed with the program requirements. Additionally, the Racial Justice and Global Diversity requirements may be completed with courses which are part of the program requirements. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link: https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad/academic-programs-degrees/
Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours. Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.
Sample Four Year Plan: BS Biology option Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
*COMP 101 may be taken in Semester 1 or Semester 2.
**BIO Electives vary in number of SH earned. Remember that your total must be 120 to complete your degree.
BS Biology: Ecology
Description: 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.
Required Courses in the Major: 59-61 (SH).
Sample Four Year Plan: BS Biology: Ecology Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
BS Biology: Pre-Health option
Description: This option is for Pre-health students who are planning to continue their education in medical, dental, veterinary schools, or graduate school. It also will prepare students for entry-level positions requiring more physical science.
Required Courses in the Major: 60-62 Semester Hours.
Sample Four Year Plan: BS Biology: Pre-Health Option Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric & Climate Science – NOTE: Program pending Title IV approval and expected to begin Spring 2026
Description This degree offers a comprehensive education in the fundamental principles of meteorology, climate systems, and environmental sciences. This interdisciplinary program blends physics, chemistry, ecology, and mathematics along with core courses in meteorology and climatic sciences, to explore the dynamic processes that govern Earth’s atmosphere and climate. Through a combination of theoretical coursework, hands-on lab experience, and field research, students will be equipped with the skills necessary to analyze weather systems and predict climate trends. The program includes an accelerated option that leads to a minor in mathematics and eligibility to apply for a 4+1 MS in Meteorology (accelerated option expected to begin in fall 2026).
Required Courses in the Major: 62 credits
Sample Four Year Plan: BS Atmospheric & Climate Science Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education – Biology (B.S.)
Description: This degree provides a biology/education curriculum that imparts a broad base of knowledge about biological processes, principles, and research, so that students have the foundational knowledge they need to educate others.
Required Courses in the Major: 70 Semester Hours.
Sample Four Year Plan: BS Secondary Ed: Biology Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
* The BS Secondary Ed: Biology degree requires students to study a language other than English to at least the elementary level II. Students who have completed three years of a language other than English in high school with an overall “C” average or completed a total of four years of two languages other than English in high school with an overall “B” average have met this requirement.
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 Professional option, except there are NO Biology electives.
Biology Electives
Any Biology course 200-level or above will count in this category. Biochemistry (CHE 421, 422, 431) is acceptable in this this category.
Math/Science Electives
For all three options (Biology, Ecology, Pre-Health), the following courses are approved to count as Science/Math electives (if they are not already required by the option): All BIO courses level 200 or above; All CHE courses level 200 or above; MAT 133, 170, 171, 181, 182; PHY 110, 111, 120, 121; AST 150; MTR 150; ES 110; CS 140, 143.
Course Restrictions For a complete list of prerequisites, corequisites and other restrictions for all courses, please consult the Course Description section of this catalog.
Minor in Biology
Please see your advisor to review all program requirements.
Required Courses (8 SH): BIO 103 General Biology I BIO 104 General Biology II OR BIO 110 The Animal World BIO 111 General Botany
Six to Eight credits (6-8 SH) of approved Biology courses at or above the 200-level
Additional 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.)
Minor in Astronomy Nineteen semester hours of astronomy or physics courses. Advisement must be through the department Chairperson.
Minor in Earth and Planetary Sciences Twenty semester hours of courses noted as earth science or earth and planetary sciences. Advisement must be through the department Chairperson.
Required Courses: MTR 150 Meteorology AST 150 General Astronomy ES 110 Physical Geology ES 210 Intro to Physical Oceanography AST 231 Intro to Planetary Sciences OR EPS 331 Practicum in EPS Research OR Eps 220 & 221 Seminar in EPS (2+2 SH)
Minor in Meteorology Twenty-one (21) or twenty-two (22) semester hours of meteorology courses. Advisement must be through the department Chairperson.
Required Courses (15 SH): MTR 150 Meteorology MTR 175 Analytical Meteorology MTR 230 Weather Analysis and Forecasting I MTR 310 Atmospheric Thermodynamics
Two (2) Approved Meteorology Electives (6-7 SH): Courses must be at a 200-level or higher
Minor in Physics Twenty semester hours of physics are required, including PHY 110, 111, General Physics (Calculus) I & II and 12 semester hours by departmental advisement. In most cases these 12 credits additional credits include PHY 136 and PHY 170.
Required Courses (8 SH): PHY 110 General Physics I (MAT 182 and grade >=C in PHY 103 or placement exam) PHY 111 General Physics II
Three (3) Approved Electives (12 SH) Electives must be approved by Physics, Astronomy & Meteorology Department Chairperson.
