BIOLOGY

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Blue Vertical DividerProgram Description

The purpose of the Bachelor of Science degree program in Biology is to provide rigorous training to those students desiring careers in the biological, biomedical, and environmental sciences. The program also provides the necessary preparation to those students who wish to pursue graduate training in biology, medicine, or veterinary science. The goal of the program is to produce graduates who, having been trained in the analytical and investigative techniques of the biological sciences, are ready to embark on promising careers in government, industry, and biomedical sciences.

The Biology major at Medaille is designed to introduce students to the broad spectrum of biological knowledge, from the complexities of the single cell to the dynamics of the ecosystem, and to develop an awareness of the achievements, methods, potentials, and limitations of the biological sciences. Consistent with a liberal education, the Biology major includes a combination of required and elective courses. Students may utilize their electives to experience the rich traditions of the liberal arts, to develop significant expertise in a second area of study, such as communications or management, or to acquire an additional degree or certification, i.e., the Associate in Science degree in Veterinary Technology.

microscopeThe curriculum consists of a 40-credit core of courses designed to allow students to explore, in depth, the analytical procedures and principle tenets of thought in biological science. The core consists of (a) eight required courses in botany, cell biology, ecology, genetics, microbiology, epdiemiology and biostatistics, and comparative anatomy and physiology; and (b) a choice of electives from courses that include immunology, animal behavior, advanced vertebrate physiology, herpetology, ichthyology, ornithology, mammalogy, organic evolution, developmental biology, and biochemistry. Students also take courses in general and organic chemistry, and mathematics. The design of the Biology curriculum is such that graduates of Medaille's Associate in Science degree program in Veterinary Technology may transfer into the Bachelor of Science degree program in Biology without loss of any credits, provided they take the appropriate chemistry and liberal arts sequences.

Biology Curriculum
Credit Distribution

Bachelor of Science

Biology Component Credit Hours
BIO 120 Botany 4
BIO 170 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology I 5
BIO 171 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology II 5
BIO 200 Microbiology 4
BIO 220 Cell Biology 3
BIO 301 Epidemiology and Biostatistics 3
BIO 320 Ecology 4
BIO 330 Genetics 3
Biology Electives 9

(Must choose three coursess from the following: BIO 310, BIO 340, BIO 370, BIO 371, BIO 421, BIO 422, BIO 423, BIO 424, BIO 430, BIO 470, BIO 498, CHE 400)

  Minimum Biology Credit Hours 40

Mathematics/Science Component
CHE 200 General Chemistry I 4
CHE 201 General Chemistry II 4
CHE 300 Organic Chemistry I 4
CHE 301 Organic Chemistry II 4
*MAT 115 Pre-Calculus 3
  Minimum Mathematics/Science Credit Hours 19

Humanities Component
PHI 300 Ethics 3
SPE 130 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3
WRT 175 College Writing II 3
WRT 200 Analytical Writing 3
 
Minimum Humanities
Credit Hours
12

General Education Component
**GEN 110 Ideas and Experience: Introduction to Critical Thought and Expression 3
GEN 220 Concepts of American Culture: Early Foundations and Enduring Themes 3
GEN 230 Creative Expression 3
GEN 410 Baccalaureate Capstone I 3
GEN 411 Baccalaureate Capstone II 3
Minimum General Education Credit Hours 15

Computer Information Systems Component
CIS 115 or above Computer Information Systems 115 or above 3

Free Elective Component
(May include any college course)
39

TOTAL 128
*Students who meet the math requirement by placement may substitute a Free Elective.

**Required of first-year students; all other students must substitute a Social Sciences Elective.

NOTE: Students planning to apply for admission to graduate, medical, or veterinary school are strongly encouraged to take CHE 400 General Biochemistry, PHY 200 Principles of Physics I, PHY 201 Principles of Physics II, and MAT 216 Survey of Introductory Calculus and Its Applications. Students interested in professional careers in medicine are advised to develop a foundation in the humanities and social sciences.

Page Updated 1/03 (lak)
Medaille College, 18 Agassiz Circle, Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: (716) 884-3281; FAX: (716) 884-0291 
email: Academic Affairs