Bachelor of Science

All B.S. students are required to take a core consisting of General Biology I and General Biology II, Cell Biology, Ecology, Genetics, and one course in Physiology.

In addition to the core requirements each B.S. student will select one of the four concentrations in consultation with the department. The students will be assigned an appropriate faculty adviser within the department. Each student will confer with his/her adviser in planning the student's program of study appropriate to the concentration that the student has selected.

Ecological Concentration

This concentration includes course work in ecology and organismal biology, including such topics as wetlands biology, freshwater ecology, and conservation biology. This program encourages students to use their electives to develop a diversified background of skills in earth science, geography and chemistry to complement their environmental interest and open future opportunities for internships and careers. Cooperative programs with community environmental monitoring organizations such as the Taunton River Watershed Alliance allow students to gain practical experience while investigating actual environmental problems.

Biomedical Concentration

This concentration features course work in Human Anatomy and Physiology, Histology, Immunology, Microbiology, Virology and Embryology. Internship opportunities are available in local hospitals and research laboratories.

Cell/Molecular Biology Concentration

This concentration allows students to focus their study of biological mechanisms at the cellular and molecular level. Courses available include: Biochemistry, Electron Microscopy and Neurobiology. This concentration is designed for students who may want to pursue graduate studies in molecular or cellular biology and for those who seek a career in cell/molecular biology or biotechnology research.

General Biology Concentration

This concentration allows for a less specialized program of study and is designed for students needing a broader background in biology. This program can be tailored to the student with individualized interests or can be designed to provide a broad background in biology. The general biology concentration is recommended for students considering teaching as a career.

Courses

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Core Courses

  • BIOL 121-122 General Biology I and II
  • BIOL 200 Cell Biology
  • BIOL 225 General Ecology
  • BIOL 321 Genetics
  • BIOL 428 Microbiology

Cognates

  • CHEM 141-142 Chemical Principles I and II
  • CHEM 343-344 Organic Chemistry I and II
  • MATH 141 Elements of Calculus I or MATH 161 Calculus I
  • MATH 142 Elements of Calculus II or MATH 162 or BIOL 297 Biometry
  • PHYS 181-182 Elements of Physics I and II or PHYS 243-244 General Physics I and II


Ecological Concentration

Required Courses

  • BIOL 297 Biometry
  • BIOL 341 Plant Physiology
  • 3 Environmental Electives (see list below)

Electives (12 credits from the following list):

  • BIOL 243 Systematic Botany
  • BIOL 284 Invertebrate Zoology
  • BIOL 325 Ichthyology
  • BIOL 326 Marine Biology
  • BIOL 327 Wetlands Biology
  • BIOL 328 Stream Ecology
  • BIOL 372 Animal Behavior
  • BIOL 373 Animal Physiology
  • BIOL 408 The Biology of Marine Mammals
  • BIOL 420 Limnology
  • BIOL 422 Biological Evolution
  • BIOL 423 Biological Invasion
  • BIOL 425 Population Ecology

Internship/Research

Biology majors concentrating in Ecological Biology should strive to qualify for a 3 credit internship or research experience as part of their concentration electives. This could range from volunteer experience through the Student Conservation Association, paid internships with regulatory agencies such as the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection or the National Park Service, or research with faculty at Bridgewater State University through Undergraduate Biological Research (BIOL 497 or BIOL 396).

Students interested in developing a field experience through Internship in Biology (BIOL 498) must meet the following criteria to be considered:

  1. completed at least 54 credits and at least two semesters of biology at Bridgewater State University.
  2. maintained a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and a 2.7 GPA in biology.
  3. filed a completed application form with the department chairperson by the middle of the semester prior to when the field experience is to be undertaken.
  4. locate a faculty adviser who will oversee the specific internship.

Internship applications will be screened by the department and sent to the dean for approval. The approved form must be received by the Registrar's Office in order to enroll for internship credits. No more than three (3) credits of BIOL 498 can be used toward concentration electives.

Biomedical Concentration

Required Courses

  • BIOL 251-252 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II
  • 2 Biomedical or Cell/Molecular Electives (listed below)
  • 1 Biological Elective (any Biology Concentration Elective at the 300 level or above)

Cell/Molecular Concentration

Required Courses

  • BIOL 341 Plant Physiology or BIOL 373 Animal Physiology
  • 3 Biomedical or Cell/Molecular Electives (listed below)
  • 1 Biological Elective (any Biology Concentration Elective at the 300 level or above)

Biomedical and Cell/Molecular Electives

  • BIOL 284 Invertebrate Zoology
  • BIOL 297 Biometry
  • BIOL 320 Biochemistry
  • BIOL 350 Molecular Biology
  • BIOL 371 Histology
  • BIOL 375 Immunology
  • BIOL 376 General Endocrinology
  • BIOL 382 Comparative Chordate Anatomy
  • BIOL 430 Embryology
  • BIOL 434 Biological Electron Microscopy
  • BIOL 436 Mammalian Reproductive Physiology
  • BIOL 450 Virology
  • BIOL 472 Human Genetics
  • BIOL 475 Parasitology
  • BIOL 482 Neurobiology


General Concentration

Required Courses (Standard)

  • BIOL 341 Plant Physiology
  • BIOL 373 Animal Physiology
  • Three Biology courses at or above the 200 level totaling up to at least nine credits. (see lists of Environmental and Biomedical/Molecular Electives above)

Required Courses (Secondary Education Minors)

  • BIOL 251 & 252 Anatomy and Physiology I & II
  • BIOL 341 Plant Physiology
  • BIOL 118 Bioethics or BIOL 422 Biological Evolution
  • BIOL 284 Invertebrate Zoology or BIOL 382 Comparative Chordate Anatomy

Minor in Secondary (High School) or Middle School Education

Students may minor either in Secondary (High School, grades 9-12) or Middle School (grades 5-9) Education. Successful completion of either of these programs will lead to Massachusetts Provisional with Advanced Standing Teacher Certification. Please refer to the Department of Secondary Education and Professional Programs for specific teacher certification and program requirements. Students who wish to obtain a minor in Secondary Education with a view toward certification in Biology must take the General Concentration and should take the following as part of their biology electives:

  • BIOL 422 Biological Evolution
  • BIOL 382 Comparative Chordate Anatomy or BIOL 284 Invertebrate Zoology

Students with a minor in education must refer to the Department of Secondary Education and Professional Programs for specific teacher certification and program requirements. Students preparing to teach at the secondary level must complete the B.S. degree in biology.


Double Major with Elementary and Early Childhood Education or Special Education

Students may choose a double major in biology and elementary and early childhood education or special education. Appropriate advising materials are available in the biology department office.


Biology Minor

A minor consists of a minimum of 18 credits in biology. Students must take BIOL 121 and BIOL 122 General Biology I and II or their equivalent and four additional courses in biology at or above the 200 level planned in consultation with the chairperson of biological sciences.


Honors Program

The Department of Biological Sciences offers a Departmental Honors Program in Biology. This program provides an opportunity for well-qualified biology majors to conduct independent research in biology. Contact the Department of Biological Sciences for further information concerning eligibility and application.


Undergraduate Research

The Department of Biological Sciences provides the opportunity for students to participate in a true research experience, which is increasingly an advantageous component of undergraduate training.

Each semester, BIOL 497 Undergraduate Biological Research is offered by one faculty member who directs and supervises a small team of undergraduates in a research project. Students are intimately involved with experimental design as well as data collection, analysis and interpretation. The course culminates with a student presentation of the semester's work in a departmental seminar, often followed by presentation at a professional scientific meeting. Research topics vary from semester to semester as different faculty members direct the research course; equally valuable training and experience in scientific methodology is obtained with all topics. The Department of Biological Sciences highly recommends this experience which adds a valuable dimension that is not provided by ordinary course work.  In addition, BIOL 396 enables students to conduct research under the supervision of a faculty mentor.  A student interested in this opportunity should contact faculty members who have research interests similar to those of the student.

For additional information on undergraduate research, visit the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR).

Last Modified: August 13, 2012