Biological & Environmental Sciences
Biological & Environmental Sciences
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
| P. Boily, Chair | N. Connally | J. Cordeiro |
| F. Dye | R. Gyure | M. Monette |
| T. Philbrick | T. Pinou | R. Prunier |
| S. Wagener | E. Wong |
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:
- Prepares students for successful careers related to biology by training them for advanced responsibilities in research, education, industry and other biology-related fields
- Provides up-to-date courses supporting student needs
- Integrates undergraduate research with faculty research projects
- Provides a variety of general education and service courses to the student body
- Promotes faculty research and professional contributions that advance the biological and environmental sciences, teaching pedagogy and support regional needs, including science education
Degree Programs in Biological and Environmental Sciences
Bachelor of Arts in Biology
Options:
Biology
Ecological Sciences
Bioscience
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Secondary Education: Biology
Elementary 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 & II
BIO 200 Ecology
BIO 205 or 207 Animal or Plant Physiology
BIO 300 Cell Biology
BIO 312 Genetics
BIO 325 Evolutionary Biology
BIO 360 Scientific Communication
BIO 480 Group Senior Research or BIO 490 Senior Research
CHE 110, 111 General Chemistry I & II
CHE 210, 211 Organic Chemistry I & II
Biology 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
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 103 General Biology I | BIO 104 General Biology II |
| CHE 110 General Chemistry I | CHE 111 General Chemistry II |
Sophomore Year
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 200 Ecology | BIO 205 Animal Physiology |
| CHE 210 Organic Chemistry I | CHE 211 Organic Chemistry II |
Junior Year
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 312 Genetics | BIO 300 Cell Biology |
| Biology Elective | BIO 325 Evolutionary Biology |
| BIO 360 Scientific Biology |
Senior Year
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 480 Group Senior Research or BIO 490 Senior Research |
Biology Elective |
*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 Option
For 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 Courses
BIO 103, 104 General Biology I & II
BIO 200 Ecology
BIO 205 or 207 Animal or Plant Physiology
BIO 310 or 311 Vertebrate Embryology or Developmental Biology
BIO 312 Genetics
BIO 325 Evolutionary Biology
BIO 360 Scientific Communication
BIO 480 Group Senior Research or BIO 490 Senior Research
CHE 110, 111 General Chemistry I & II
Biology electives —Courses approved by department. (7-8 SH)
Math or science electives —12 SH approved by department.
Yearly Plan of Suggested Courses – MAJOR COURSES ONLY
Freshman Year
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 103 General Biology I | BIO 104 General Biology II |
| CHE 110 General Chemistry I | CHE 111 General Chemistry II |
Sophomore Year
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 200 Ecology | BIO 205 Animal Biology |
| Biology Elective |
Junior Year
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 312 Genetics | BIO 325 Evolutionary Biology |
| BIO 310 Vertebrate Embryology or BIO 311 Developmental Biology |
BIO 360 Scientific Communication |
Senior Year
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 480 Group Senior Research or BIO 490 Senior Research |
Biology Elective |
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.
Required Courses:
BIO 103, 104 General Biology I & II
BIO 200 Ecology
BIO 205 or 207 Animal or Plant Physiology
BIO 216 General Microbiology
BIO 312 Genetics
BIO 320 or 450 or 460 Conservation, Population or Ecosystem Ecology
BIO 325 Evolutionary Biology
BIO 360 Scientific Communication
BIO 480 Group Senior Research or BIO 490 Senior Research
CHE 110, 111 General Chemistry I & II
MAT 115 or 120 Biostatistics or Elementary Statistics
23-24 SH in science and math, including at least three biology courses and three physical science/math courses from the list approved by the department.
Yearly Plan of Suggested Courses – MAJOR COURSES ONLY
Freshman Year
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 103 General Biology I | BIO 104 General Biology II |
| CHE 110 General Chemistry I | CHE 111 General Chemistry II |
Sophomore Year
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 200 Ecology | BIO 205 Animal Physiology |
| Physical Science or Math Elective | Physical Science or Math Elective |
Junior Year
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 312 Genetics | BIO 325 Evolutionary Biology |
| BIO 320 Conservation or BIO 450 Population or BIO 475 Climate Ecology | BIO 360 Scientific Communication |
| Biology Elective |
Senior Year
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 480 Group Senior Research or BIO 490 Senior Research |
Biology Elective |
| Biology Elective |
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education – Biology (B.S.)
Requirements:
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.)
Requirements:
See the Department of Education and Educational Psychology within the School of Professional Studies.
Yearly Plan of Suggested Courses – BIOLOGY COURSES ONLY
Freshman Year
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 103 General Biology I | BIO 104 General Biology II |
Sophomore Year
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 200 Ecology | BIO 205 Animal Physiology |
| Biology Elective |
Junior Year
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 312 Genetics | BIO 325 Evolutionary Biology |
| BIO 310 Vertebrate Embryology or BIO 311 Developmental Biology |
BIO 360 Scientific Communication |
Senior Year
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| BIO 480 Group Senior Research or BIO 490 Senior Research |
Biology Elective |
*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:
- Students will be able to understand and apply the scientific method to answer questions about natural phenomena.
- Students will be able to communicate their understanding of basic scientific concepts in presentation and writing.
- Students will be well-prepared for careers in biology related fields as well as post-graduate opportunities.
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-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.)