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Biological Sciences
Faculty
Jeremiah Jarrett (Chair, Copernicus 332), Douglas Carter,
Tiffany Doan, Sylvia Halkin, Thomas Mione, Barbara Nicholson, Peter Osei,
Clayton Penniman,
Ruth Rollin, David Spector, Jack Tessier (Dept. phone:
832-2645)
Department Overview
The Department of Biology offers programs of study leading to the Master
of Arts and Master of Science degrees, as well as courses which may
serve as part of the general education requirement for students
preparing to teach in fields other than biology. The department has a
wide range of modern research equipment in laboratories designed for
class and/or individual research studies. Specialized facilities,
available for faculty and student instruction and research, include a
greenhouse, herbarium, photosynthesis research laboratory, ecology
research laboratory, experimental gardens, controlled environment rooms,
growth chambers, and a computer laboratory.
Through the academic and extracurricular opportunities which the
department offers, students are prepared to understand and participate
in a wide variety of biological specializations. Students in the
graduate programs are expected to expand their understanding of
biological concepts, to become familiar with recent developments in
biology and to become familiar with library, computer, and laboratory
resources for biological research.
Admission Requirements
The following items are required:
• Application for admission to graduate study
• Official transcripts from all institutions in which undergraduate and
graduate work has been taken
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the aptitude and advanced
biology tests are recommended but not required
• Narrative statement
• Letters of recommendation by three college instructors familiar with
your ability and record in biology and the related sciences
The first three items above are to be submitted to the Graduate
Admissions Office. When an applicant's admission folder is complete, it
will be forwarded to the department chair. The last two items above
should be submitted to the department chair. The Departmental Graduate
Committee will make a recommendation for acceptance. Students who are
accepted will be assigned a program committee at the time of acceptance.
If applicable, a thesis advising committee will be assigned after the
student begins the program of study.
Programs
MASTER OF ARTS IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
The master of arts programs provide study in the biological sciences for
those graduate students desiring to major in biology. The program is
designed to fulfill the educational needs of biologists outside the
teaching profession who desire further specialization and/or knowledge
of recent advances in the field; students who seek a subject matter
concentration as an intermediate step toward preparation for work at the
doctoral level; and teachers who are interested in specializing in a
particular area, or updating their knowledge within the discipline of
biology. Specialization may be in such areas as botany, zoology,
physiology, and environmental studies. Each student will be assigned a
graduate committee whose function will be to help the student plan a
sound program.Note: Additional work, as described in the course
syllabi, will be required for graduate credit in 400-level courses.
Students may take no more than 9 credits of 400-level courses.
Biological Sciences: General Program
There are two options (Plan A and Plan B) leading to the Master of Arts
degree, both of which require 30 credits.
Both Plan A and B require BIO 500 and 540 in addition to 19–20 credits
of directed electives in biology or related fields as approved by
adviser. Plan A also requires BIO 599 (6 credits) and thesis defense or
BIO 598 (3 credits) and 599 (3 credits) and thesis defense. Plan B
requires BIO 590 and 598 and a comprehensive exam.
Biological Sciences: Ecology and Environmental Science (30
credits)
Biology Course Component (24 credits):
(1) BIO 500 Seminar in Biology (1 credit), and BIO 515
Foundations of Ecology (3 credits), and BIO 540 Topics in
Advanced Biology (3-4 credits), with a topic focus appropriate to the
specialization (may be repeated with different topics). (2) Biology
electives: 16-17 additional credits in biology or related fields
approved by an Ecology and Environmental Science advisor. Appropriate
courses in the biology electives may include:
BIO 508 Coastal Ecology
BIO 509 Coastal Ecology Laboratory
BIO 520 Plant Ecology
BIO 540 Topics in Advanced Biology
BIO 590 Focused Study in Advanced Biology
BIO 598 Research in Biology
BIO 405 Ecology
BIO 410 Ecological Physiology
BIO 420 Ornithology
BIO 425 Aquatic Plant Biology
BIO 434 Ecology of Inland Waters and Estuaries
BIO 436 Environmental Resources and Management
BIO 438 Aquatic Polution
BIO 440 Evolution
BIO 444 Plant Taxonomy
BIO 480 Animal Behavior
Capstone Component (6 credits, students may select plan A or plan B).
Plan A: Option 1, BIO 599 Thesis (6 credits) and thesis defense or
Option 2, BIO 599 Thesis (3 credits) and thesis defense, and BIO 598
Research in Biology (3 credits).
Plan B: Three credits in BIO 590 and/or BIO 591, and BIO 598 (3 credits)
and a comprehensive exam.
Biological Sciences : Cell and Molecular Biology (30 credits)
Note: As of the start of Fall 2004, this program has moved to the
School of Technology as Biomolecular Sciences (for more information on
the new program, click here).
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Biological Sciences: Anesthesia and Biology: Health Sciences
Specialization are for students enrolled in anesthesia programs or
allied health fields. Dr. Rollin is program coordinator for Anesthesia
and Health Sciences.
The General Program is for biology and science teachers and all others
who wish to expand their background in the broad area of biology or who
wish to specialize in a particular aspect of this discipline. Students
who as undergraduates majored in areas other than biology may also
pursue a master’s degree in this program.
The planned program of graduate study will be developed by the students
and their adviser and will be based upon the student’s undergraduate
record and educational needs. Thesis and non-thesis programs are
available to students in all programs, except the Health Sciences
specialization. Non-thesis programs will require a comprehensive
examination.
Note: Additional work, as described in the course syllabi, will be
required for graduate credit in 400-level courses. Students may take no
more than 9 credits of 400 level courses.
Biological Sciences: General Program (30 credits)
This program is for teachers and others interested in a master’s
degree with a professional education component. Other courses may be
substituted for the professional education component with the
adviser’s approval.
Professional Education (6–9 cr.):
One of the following:
EDF 500 Contemporary Educational Issues
EDF 516 School and Society
EDF 524 Foundations of Contemporary Theories of Curriculum
EDF 525 History of American Education
EDF 538 The Politics of Education
EDF 583 Sociological Foundations of Education
and
Additional course(s) as approved by adviser
Biology Requirements (4–5 cr.):
BIO 500 Seminar in Biology
BIO 540 Topics in Advanced Biology
Directed Electives (10–17 cr.):
In biology or related fields as approved by adviser.
Research (3–6 cr.):
Plan A: BIO 599 Thesis (6 cr.) and thesis
defense or BIO 598 Research in Biology
and BIO 599 Thesis (3 cr.) and thesis defense
or
Plan B: BIO 598 Research in Biology and
comprehensive exam.
Biological Sciences: Anesthesia (31–33 credits)
Professional Education (6 cr.):
ED 511 Principles of Curriculum Development
EDL 513 Supervision
Major Field Requirements (21 cr.):
BIO 500 Seminar in Biology
BIO 517 Human Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology
BIO 518 Applied Physiology
BIO 528 Pharmacology
BIO 530 Immunology
CHEM 550 Organic and Biological Chemistry
Research (4–6 cr.):
Plan A:
BIO 598 Research in Biology
BIO 599 Thesis (3 credits)
and thesis defense
or
Plan B:
BIO 590 Focused Study in Advanced Biology (clinical
case study in anesthesia, 1 cr.)
BIO 598 Research in Biology
Comprehensive exam
Note to prospective Anesthesia students: The student must be a licensed
registered nurse and satisfactorily complete the program of study in
Anesthesia at an affiliated hospital-based school of anesthesia which
includes 1000 hours of clinical practicum. Admission to this program is
contingent upon admission to one of the following affiliated schools:
New Britain School of Nurse Anesthesia, New Britain, CT: John
Satterfield, M.D. medical director, and Joan Dobbins, M.S., CRNA,
program director.
Hospital of St. Raphael, New Haven, CT: Philip J. Noto, M.D., medical
director, School of Anesthesia; and Judy Thompson, M.S., CRNA, program
director.
Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Pawtucket, R.I.: Peter Baziotis M.D.,
medical director, School of Anesthesia; and Mark Foster, M.A., CRNA,
program director.
Biological Sciences: Health Sciences Specialization (30–31 cr.)
Professional Education (6 cr.):
ED 511 Principles of Curriculum Development
EDL 513 Supervision
Major Field Requirements (18–19 cr.):
BIO 412 Human Physiology
BIO 413 Human Physiology Laboratory
BIO 500 Seminar in Biology
BIO 518 Applied Physiology
BIO 528 Pharmacology
CHEM 454 Biochemistry
or
BMS 506 Biosynthesis, Bioenergetics, and Metabolic Regulation
or
CHEM 550 Organic and Biological Chemistry
Biology Elective (choose from BIO 411 Cellular Physiology and
Metabolism, 416 Immunology, 490 Studies in Biology, 495 Molecular
Biology, 540 Topics in Advanced Biology, or 562 Developmental Biology)
Research (6 cr.):
BIO 599 Thesis (6 credits) and thesis defense
or
BIO 598 Research in Biology and BIO 599
Thesis (3 credits) and thesis defense
CERTIFICATION IN BIOLOGY FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION
The Department of Biology also evaluates undergraduate and graduate
preparation of applicants to the biology certification program in
secondary education. This evaluation is done through interviews and/or
review of transcripts of prospective candidates who have been admitted
to the graduate program. Transcripts are forwarded to the department
chair by the School of Education and Professional Studies. The chair of
Biology or a departmental designate will make recommendations for
courses to be completed in the biological area of the student’s program.
Admission to the professional program is contingent on recommendation by
the Department of Biology in
addition to completion of other requirements.
OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAM: POST-BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATE IN CELL
AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Note:
This program has moved to the School of Technology under
Biomolecular Sciences. For further information please click on this
link.
Official Certificate Program: POST-BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATE in
Pre-Health Studies
The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee
(Pre-PAC) individually advises post-baccalaureate students seeking to
prepare themselves for entry into professional training programs in the
health sciences. The Pre-PAC is composed of faculty members from
Biology, Biomolecular Sciences, Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences,
and Psychology, including the Chief Health Professions Adviser (P. Osei,
Biology; Copernicus 339; 832-2657) and the Pre-PAC Chair (C. Watson,
Biomolecular Sciences; Copernicus 344; 832-2649).
For further information regarding Pre-Health Studies, please
click here.
Program Overview
This non-degree certificate program is designed for college graduates
whose undergraduate background does not meet the requirements for
admission to professional schools of medicine, dentistry, veterinary
medicine, etc. This rigorous program provides post-baccalaureate
students with the foundational courses and the advisement they need to
prepare for applying to professional training schools.
Admission
Students must have completed a bachelor’s degree to participate in the
program. Potential students should contact the Graduate Admissions
Office to request an application packet. The application requires
official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended and an
essay describing why the student is interested in the program. File
completed applications with the Graduate Admissions Office. The Pre-PAC
Chair will schedule an interview with the applicant, during which an
advisory committee (including the Chief Health Professions Adviser) will
work with the candidate to develop an individualized planned program of
study in keeping with their academic background and professional goals.
To begin the program during the summer session, applications must be
received by April 15. If students wish both to begin during the summer
session and to be considered for financial aid, applications must be
received by January 15. However, students may begin the program in any
semester and applications will be accepted throughout the year.
Post-baccalaureate certification students in this program are classified as graduate
students; they may either be part-time or full-time students, and they
may qualify for financial aid. Part-time and
non-matriculated students are limited to less than nine
credits/semester.
Program Requirements
While each student’s academic program will be tailored to meet the
individual’s specific academic needs and professional goals, a model
program that would be appropriate for a student with a minimal science
background is shown below. This model program also illustrates the
45-credit upper limit for this certificate program. Smaller academic
programs may be possible for students with some science background, with
a lower limit of 26 credits. All individual programs must be designed
and approved in consultation with the Pre-PAC advisory committee at the
admission interview. A minimum of 18 credits in the planned program must
be taken at CCSU.
Model Program*
(45 credits)
Biology (21 cr.), including:
BIO 122 General Biology II
BMS 201 Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology
BMS 306 Genetics
or
BMS 316 Microbiology
BIO 318 Anatomy and Physiology I
BIO 490 Topics in Biology
BIO 319 Anatomy and Physiology II
or
BIO 411 Cellular Physiology and Metabolism
or
BIO 412/413 Human Physiology
Chemistry (16 cr.), including:
CHEM 121 General Chemistry I
CHEM 122 General Chemistry II
CHEM 311 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 312 Organic Chemistry II
Physics (8 cr.) including:
PHYS 121 General Physics I
PHYS 122 General Physics II
*For course descriptions and prerequisites for courses numbered lower
than 400, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
Students must maintain a 3.00 (B) cumulative grade point average in
order to be in good academic standing and to receive the
post-baccalaureate certificate. Upon completion of the planned
certificate program, a certificate will be issued from the Office of
Continuing Education. (While completion of this program does not lead to
a graduate degree, courses at the 400-level or above that are taken as
part of this program may be counted towards a master’s degree,
provided that the graduate-syllabus option is elected at the time of
course registration in 400-level courses.)
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