Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology, General Biology Track, B.S.


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Renee E. Haskew-Layton, Ph.D., Program Head
914-674-7145
rhaskewlayton@mercy.edu

Bachelor of Science in Biology

General Education Requirements* 60 credits
Major Concentration  
Natural Science 36 credits
Major Elective 6 credits
Open Electives 18 credits
Total 120 credits

Students who choose the major concentration in biology must complete all the required general education, required major, and major elective courses as listed below:*

The department recommends that students planning to enter graduate or medical school take:


Note(s)


*Students must complete MATH 116  as part of their General Education requirements.

To complete major concentration, corequisite lab courses must be taken.

There is a 15-credit residency requirement in the major concentration of biology that must be completed with courses numbered BIOL 230 and above. CHEM 354  may also be used to meet this requirement.

Additional Program Information


The Bachelor of Science degree in Biology provides students with a comprehensive foundation in the biological sciences and other life sciences. Students in the biology major achieve competencies in the life sciences through active learning modules designed to deepen critical thinking skills and strengthen quantitative reasoning. Through inquiry-based laboratory projects and faculty-student authentic research collaborations in areas such as neuroscience, cell and molecular biology, and microbiology, students will put classroom theory to practice by engaging in key aspects of the scientific process.

The General Biology Track prepares students for a variety of careers including research assistant/associate positions in academia or biotechnology firms or positions in a healthcare setting. This track also supports preparation for graduate training in the biological/biomedical sciences or professional education in medicine/dentistry or related healthcare fields such as osteopathic medicine.

Progression Criteria

Students enrolling in natural science courses and biology courses must earn at least a letter grade of C in all Prerequisite courses. Students in the biology major may not repeat a course required by the major more than twice. Exceptions to progression criteria require Program Head approval.

At the completion of the Biology concentration, students are expected to:

  • Synthesize core concepts to demonstrate a broad and in-depth knowledge of the biological sciences
  • Access and critically evaluate and interpret the scientific literature
  • Effectively communicate scientific concepts through oral and written modes
  • Apply the scientific method to formulate hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, and interpret experimental results
  • Exhibit proficiency in laboratory techniques in the biological sciences, troubleshoot experiments, and demonstrate safe laboratory practices
  • Critically evaluate experimental findings and scientific information using statistical and quantitative analyses
  • Exhibit ethical behavior in science and evaluate the implications of unethical scientific conduct
  • Critically examine basic, applied and societal problems in the biological sciences and, through the lens of life science professionals, propose problem solving strategies to address these problems
  • Work as effective team members on collaborative projects

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