Undergraduate Catalog 2009-2011
Biology
Faculty
J. N. Jarrett, Chair; D. R. Carter, T. M. Doan, S. L.
Halkin, M. E. Jackson, J. R. King, J. L. Krans, T. Mione, B.J. Nicholson, P.
Osei, C. A. Penniman, R. E. Rollin, D. A. Spector (Dept. phone: 860-832-2645)
Department Overview
The Department of
Biology has full-time faculty representing the major specializations within the
broad field of biology. Copernicus Hall houses laboratories for introductory
and advanced undergraduate and graduate courses and research in 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, molecular genetics
research laboratory, controlled environment room, computer laboratory,
experimental gardens, and growth chambers.
Through the academic and
extracurricular opportunities which the department offers, students are
prepared to understand the living world and to enter various careers in
biology.
Programs
Major
in Biology, BS (Non-teaching)
Biology Core (14-19 credits):
| BIO 121 |
General Biology I |
4 |
| BIO 122 |
General Biology II |
4 |
| BIO 200 |
General Biology III |
4 |
| BIO 290 |
Biology Research Experience I |
1 |
| BIO 390 |
Biology Research Experience II |
1 |
| or |
|
|
| BIO 391 |
Internship in Biology |
1-6 |
General Biology (32 total credits in
biology required)
Biology
core, plus 13-18 credits of any other 200-level or higher BIO or BMS courses.
Please note that upper-level BMS courses require BMS 201, which can count as an
elective in the general biology major. Other electives may be approved at the
discretion of the department chair.
Related Requirements (28-30 credits):
| MATH 124 |
Applied Calculus with
Trigonometry |
4 |
| or |
|
|
| MATH 152 |
Calculus I
|
4 |
| or |
|
|
| MATH 125 |
Applied Calculus |
3 |
| and |
|
|
| MATH 115 |
Trigonometry |
3 |
| CHEM 161 |
General Chemistry I |
3 |
| CHEM 162 |
General Chemistry I Lab |
1 |
| CHEM 163 |
General Chemistry II |
3 |
| CHEM 164 |
General Chemistry II Lab |
1 |
| CHEM 210 |
Organic Chemistry I |
3 |
| CHEM 211 |
Organic Chemistry I Lab |
1 |
| CHEM 212 |
Organic Chemistry II |
3 |
| CHEM 213 |
Organic Chemistry II Lab |
1 |
| PHYS 121 |
General Physics I |
4 |
| and |
|
|
| PHYS 122 |
General Physics II |
4 |
| or |
|
|
| PHYS 125 |
University Physics I |
4 |
| and |
|
|
| PHYS 126 |
University Physics II |
4 |
This program includes consideration of all the
major concepts and areas of biology. Students are encouraged to see connections
in biological processes from the standpoint of all sciences. Students may
select different courses to build on the knowledge gained in their first and
second years of study and design a biology curriculum that suits their
interests. With this degree, students may enter careers in research,
health-related fields, industry, or graduate study in biology.
Specialization in
Ecology, Biodiversity, and Evolutionary Biology (32 total credits in
biology)
Biology
core, plus 13-18 credits as follows:
One
of the following:
| BIO 402 |
Evolutionary & Ecological
Genetics |
3 |
| BIO 405 |
Ecology |
4 |
| BIO 434 |
Ecology of Inland Waters |
4 |
| BIO 440 |
Evolution |
3 |
| BIO 480 |
Animal Behavior |
3 |
And
one of the following:
| BIO 315 |
Microbial Ecology |
4 |
| BIO 322 |
Vertebrate Zoology |
4 |
| BIO 326 |
Mushrooms, Mosses & More |
4 |
| BIO 327 |
Vascular Plants |
4 |
| BIO 420 |
Ornithology |
4 |
| BIO 421 |
Marine Invertebrate Biology |
4 |
| BIO 425 |
Aquatic Plant Biology |
4 |
| BIO 444 |
Plant Taxonomy |
3 |
And any advanced courses in the E/B/E Group
E/B/E Group
| BIO 230 |
Natural History |
2 |
| BIO 402 |
Evolutionary & Ecological Genetics |
3 |
| BIO 315 |
Microbial Ecology |
4 |
| BIO 322 |
Vertebrate Zoology |
4 |
| BIO 326 |
Mushrooms, Mosses, & More |
4 |
| BIO 327 |
Vascular Plants |
4 |
| BIO 405 |
Ecology |
4 |
| BIO 410 |
Ecological Physiology |
4 |
| BIO 420 |
Ornithology |
4 |
| BIO 421 |
Marine Invertebrate Biology |
4 |
| BIO 425 |
Aquatic Plant Biology |
4 |
| BIO 434 |
Ecology of Inland Waters |
4 |
| BIO 436 |
Environmental Resources and Management |
3 |
| BIO 438 |
Aquatic Pollution |
4 |
| BIO 440 |
Evolution |
3 |
| BIO 444 |
Plant Taxonomy |
3 |
| BIO 470 |
Field Studies in Biology |
1-4 |
| BIO 471 |
International Field Studies in Biology |
1-4 |
| BIO 480 |
Animal Behavior Laboratory
|
2 |
| BIO 481 |
Skeletal Biology |
4 |
| BIO 488 |
Animal Behavior Laboratory
|
2 |
| BIO 489 |
Vertebrate Dissection |
2 |
| BIO 490** |
Topics in Biology |
3-4 |
| BIO 491** |
Advanced Studies in Biology |
1-3 |
| BIO 499** |
Undergraduate Thesis in Biology |
1 |
|
|
|
| **with
a topic focus approved by the E/B/E faculty advisor |
Related Requirements (28-30 credits):
| MATH 124 |
Applied Calculus with
Trigonometry |
4 |
| or |
|
|
| MATH 152 |
Calculus I
|
4 |
| or |
|
|
| MATH 125 |
Applied Calculus |
3 |
| and |
|
|
| MATH 115 |
Trigonometry |
3 |
| CHEM 161 |
General Chemistry I |
3 |
| CHEM 162 |
General Chemistry I Lab |
1 |
| CHEM 163 |
General Chemistry II |
3 |
| CHEM 164 |
General Chemistry II Lab |
1 |
| CHEM 210 |
Organic Chemistry I |
3 |
| CHEM 211 |
Organic Chemistry I Lab |
1 |
| CHEM 212 |
Organic Chemistry II |
3 |
| CHEM 213 |
Organic Chemistry II Lab |
1 |
| PHYS 121 |
General Physics I |
4 |
| and |
|
|
| PHYS 122 |
General Physics II |
4 |
| or |
|
|
| PHYS 125 |
University Physics I |
4 |
| and |
|
|
| PHYS 126 |
University Physics II |
4 |
This
specialization emphasizes ecological and evolutionary processes integrated with
study of organismal diversity. Students will develop an understanding of the
processes that influence relationships among organisms and interactions with
their environments through selected courses and individual research projects.
This program will prepare students for careers with government agencies (e.g.,
conservation, fisheries, wildlife management, forestry), nongovernmental
organizations, environmental education groups, and the environmental industry.
In addition, students will be prepared for graduate studies in fields such as ecology,
evolution, animal behavior, natural resources management, or marine and aquatic
biology.
Specialization in Environmental Science
(28-32 total credits in biology required)
Biology
core, plus 14-16 credits as follows :
| BIO 436 |
Environmental Resources and
Management |
3 |
| or |
|
|
| BIO 438 |
Aquatic Pollution |
4 |
|
|
|
| One
of the following: |
|
| BIO 315 |
Microbial Ecology |
4 |
| BIO 322 |
Vertebrate Zoology |
4 |
| BIO 326 |
Mushrooms, Mosses & More |
4 |
| BIO 327 |
Vascular Plants |
4 |
| BIO 420 |
Ornithology |
4 |
| BIO 421 |
Marine Invertebrate Biology |
4 |
| BIO 425 |
Aquatic Plant Biology |
4 |
| BIO 444 |
Plant Taxonomy |
3 |
|
|
|
| One
of the following: |
|
| BIO 331 |
Neurobiology |
4 |
| BIO 410 |
Ecological Physiology |
4 |
| BIO 412 |
Human Physiology |
3 |
| and |
|
|
| BIO 413 |
Human Physiology Lab |
1 |
| BIO 449 |
Plant Physiology |
3 |
| and |
|
|
| BIO 450 |
Investigations in Plant Physiology |
1 |
| BIO 405 |
Ecology |
4 |
| or |
|
|
| BIO 434 |
Ecology of Inland Waters |
4 |
|
|
|
| Related
Requirements (38-41 credits): |
|
| MATH 124 |
Applied Calculus with Trigonometry |
4 |
| or |
|
|
| MATH 152 |
Calculus i
|
4 |
| or |
|
|
| MATH 125 |
Applied Calculus |
3 |
| and |
|
|
| MATH 115 |
Trigonometry |
3 |
| CHEM 161 |
General Chemistry I |
3 |
| CHEM 162 |
General Chemistry I Lab |
1 |
| CHEM 163 |
General Chemistry II |
3 |
| CHEM 164 |
General Chemistry II Lab |
1 |
| CHEM 210 |
Organic Chemistry I |
3 |
| CHEM 211 |
Organic Chemistry I Lab |
1 |
| CHEM 212 |
Organic Chemistry II |
3 |
| CHEM 213 |
Organic Chemistry II Lab |
1 |
| CHEM 301 |
Analytical Chemistry |
4 |
| CHEM 406 |
Environmental Chemistry |
3 |
| ESCI 121 |
Physical Geology |
4 |
| or |
|
|
| ESCI 450 |
Environmental Geology |
3 |
| PHYS 121 |
General Physics I |
4 |
| and |
|
|
| PHYS 122 |
General Physics II |
4 |
| or |
|
|
| PHYS 125 |
University Physics I |
4 |
| and |
|
|
| PHYS 126 |
University Physics II |
4 |
This
specialization offers students a strong biology core curriculum and added
multidisciplinary strengths in environmental science. The program provides
students with a foundation in organismal biology, ecology, environmental
chemistry, earth science, and environmental management in order to give an
understanding of environmental issues from a multidisciplinary perspective. The
program has particular strengths in plant and animal organismal biology and
aquatic (freshwater and estuarine) ecology. The specialization prepares
students for careers in environmental science and natural resource management
with government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the environmental
industry, or for graduate studies in these areas.
Major
in Biology, BS (Certifiable
for teaching grades 7-12, 32-34 credits in biology)
| BIO 121 |
General Biology I |
4 |
| BIO 122 |
General Biology II |
4 |
| BIO 200 |
General Biology III |
4 |
| BIO 290 |
Biology Research Experience I |
1 |
| BIO 390 |
Biology Research Experience II |
1 |
Animal Diversity
Elective
One
of the following:
| BIO 322 |
Vertebrate Zoology |
4 |
| BIO 420 |
Ornithology |
4 |
| BIO 421 |
Marine Invertebrate Biology |
4 |
Plant
Diversity Elective
One
of the following:
| BIO 326 |
Mushrooms, Mosses & More |
4 |
| BIO 327 |
Vascular Plants |
4 |
| BIO 425 |
Aquatic Plant Biology |
4 |
| BIO 444 |
Plant Taxonomy |
3 |
Genetics/Microbiology
Elective
One
of the following:
| BIO 402 |
Evolutionary & Ecological
Genetics |
3 |
| BIO 315 |
Microbial Ecology |
4 |
| BMS 306 |
Genetics |
4 |
| BMS 316 |
Microbiology |
4 |
Physiology
Elective
One
of the following:
| BIO 318 |
Anatomy and Physiology I |
4 |
| BIO 319 |
Anatomy and Physiology II |
4 |
| BIO 331 |
Neurobiology |
4 |
| BIO 410 |
Ecological Physiology |
4 |
| BIO 412 |
Human Physiology |
3 |
| BIO 413 |
Human Physiology Lab |
1 |
| BIO 449 |
Plant Physiology |
3 |
| BIO 450 |
Investigations in Plant Physiology |
1 |
| BIO 481 |
Skeletal Biology |
4 |
Ecology/Evolution
Elective
One
of the following:
| BIO
405 |
Ecology |
4 |
| BIO 434 |
Ecology of Inland Waters |
4 |
| BIO 440 |
Evolution |
3 |
| BIO 470 |
Field Studies in Biology |
1-4 |
| BIO 480 |
Animal Behavior |
3 |
At
least one course in BIO or BMS must be at the 400-level. Please note that
upper-level BMS courses require BMS 201, which can count as an elective in the
biology major.
Required Courses
| MATH 124 |
Applied Calculus with
Trigonometry |
4 |
| or |
|
|
| MATH 152 |
Calculus i
|
4 |
| or |
|
|
| MATH 125 |
Applied Calculus |
3 |
| and |
|
|
| MATH 115 |
Trigonometry |
3 |
| CHEM 161 |
General Chemistry I |
3 |
| CHEM 162 |
General Chemistry I Lab |
1 |
| CHEM 163 |
General Chemistry II |
3 |
| CHEM 164 |
General Chemistry II Lab |
1 |
| CHEM 250 |
Basic Organic and Biochemistry |
4 |
| or |
|
|
| CHEM 210 |
Organic Chemistry I |
3 |
| and |
|
|
| CHEM 211 |
Organic Chemistry I Lab |
1 |
| PHYS 121 |
General Physics I |
4 |
| and |
|
|
| PHYS 122 |
General Physics II |
4 |
| or |
|
|
| PHYS 125 |
University Physics I |
4 |
| and |
|
|
| PHYS 126 |
University Physics II |
4 |
| EDTE 316 |
Principals of Learning (Sec/K-12) |
4 |
| EDF 415 |
Educational Foundations |
3 |
| SPED 315 |
Introduction to Educating Learners with Exceptionalities |
3 |
| EDSC 425 |
Principles of Secondary Education |
3 |
| EDSC 435 |
Secondary Education Student Teaching |
3-9 |
| SCI 416 |
Educational Technology in Secondary Science |
1 |
| SCI 417 |
Teaching of Science in the Secondary School |
3 |
| SCI 419 |
Student Teaching Seminar |
1 |
| SCI 420 |
History and Nature of Science |
3 |
| RDG 440 |
Literacy in Secondary School |
3 |
This
major is designed for students who wish to teach biology at the secondary
level. The program includes consideration of all major concepts and areas of
biology. Within some of the areas, students may select different courses to
build on knowledge gained in their first and second years of study. Students
are continuously encouraged to see connections in biological events from the
standpoint of all sciences. The specialization also includes a professional
education component. Because of the breadth of required courses, it is also
possible for students in secondary education to enter a variety of other
careers in research, health, and industry, as well as graduate study.
A student who majors in biology is
not required to complete a minor but is urged to minor in one of the other
laboratory sciences or general science.
Portfolio Requirement
All majors in the
Department of Biology are required to complete a student portfolio. Minimally,
the student portfolio must include a current resume, a current Student
Graduation Evaluation (available from the Department of Biology) or transcript,
a narrative describing the student's goals for undergraduate education and
graduate educational or career plans, and writing samples from one or more
upper-level courses in the major. To fulfill the portfolio requirement in
biology, the student portfolio must be reviewed with one or more faculty
members in biology as a course requirement in BIO 200, as a required component
of BIO 390, 391, 491, and all independent studies and internships, and prior to
application for graduation, as evidenced by submission of a Portfolio
Requirement Completed form (available from the Department of Biology and signed
by the major advisor) to the biology chair.
Minor
in Biology (Certifiable for secondary teaching)
20 credits in
biology (for those with a major in chemistry, physics, or earth sciences):
| BIO 121 |
General Biology I |
4 |
| BIO 122 |
General Biology II |
4 |
| BIO 200 |
General Biology III |
4 |
| and
8 credits in BIO at the 300- or 400-level |
|
Required Courses
| SCI 416 |
Educational Technology in
Secondary Science |
1 |
| SCI 417 |
Teaching of Science in the Secondary School |
3 |
| SCI 419 |
Student Teaching Seminar |
1 |
| MATH 125 |
Applied Calculus |
3 |
| CHEM 161 |
General Chemistry I |
3 |
| CHEM 162 |
General Chemistry I Lab |
1 |
Students interested
in the biology minor should consult with the Department of Biology chair about
the specific requirements for the minor.
Major
in General Science with Specialization in Biology, BS (Certifiable
for elementary education, 39-42 credits)
For course
listing, see major in general science linked here.
For Certification in Elementary Education,
Complementary Subject Matter Area in Biology (18 credits)
| BIO 100 |
Search in Biology |
3 |
| BIO 101 |
Search in Biology with Lab |
3 |
| BIO 120 |
Plants of Connecticut |
3 |
| BIO 132 |
Introductory Ecology |
3 |
| BIO 133 |
Laboratory in Introductory Ecology |
1 |
| BIO 150 |
Long Island Sound - Introductory Ecology |
4 |
| BIO 230 |
Natural History |
2 |
| BIO 322 |
Vertebrate Zoology |
4 |
| BIO 326 |
Mushrooms, Mosses & More |
4 |
| BIO 327 |
Vascular Plants |
4 |
| BIO 421 |
Marine Invertebrate Biology |
4 |
| and
any 300- or 400-level biology course |
3 |
Please consult with
the School of Education and Professional Studies concerning additional
requirements for dual subject programs and interdisciplinary majors.
Major
in General Science with Specialization in Environmental Interpretation, BS (53-57 credits)
For course
listing, see major in general science linked here.
Minor
in Biology (Non-teaching, 20 credits)
| BIO 121 |
General Biology I |
4 |
| BIO 122 |
General Biology II |
4 |
| BIO 200 |
General Biology III |
4 |
| and
8 credits of BIO electives at the 300 or 400 level |
8 |
Minor
in Gerontology
The minor in
gerontology provides students with a solid background in different issues
related to adult development and aging in order to prepare them to serve the
aging population in various capacities. The minor incorporates courses from the
schools of Arts and Sciences, Education and Professional Studies, and
Technology. For more information, see the Gerontology page linked here.
CLICK HERE FOR COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
