Biology

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Professors Borucinska, Coleman (emeritus), Dix (joint with Health Sciences), Simpson (emeritus), Wallace (emeritus)
Associate Professors , Frankel, Harney (Chair), Levesque
Assistant Professors Li, Silver, Zhu
Instructor Scott

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree is designed to offer students a broad background in the biological sciences, permitting more free electives than the B.S. program. Biology electives allow students to pursue a variety of specific interests that may lead to positions in government, industry, environmental fields, teaching, and health care professions. The B.A. degree may be combined for certification for teaching in the public schools.

Prospective biology majors should begin the chemistry sequence in the first year.

Students considering careers in medicine must consult with faculty concerning required electives.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree program also provides interested students with a broad approach to biology but requires a more comprehensive background in mathematics and the natural sciences. The B.S. program is recommended for students planning careers in research or who plan to continue study in graduate school, medical school, dental school, or in other graduate health care schools.

Prospective biology majors should begin the chemistry sequence (CH 110 -CH 111 ) in the first year.

Biology Honors Program

A candidate for honors must be a biology major, have at least sophomore standing (second year), and have achieved a GPA of 3.0 in natural science courses, including CH 110 -CH 111 , or CH 114 with CH 136 ; and either BIO 122 -BIO 123 or BIO 212 -BIO 213 (or their equivalents). Selection of students into the Honors program will be through departmental review. If appropriate and necessary, upper-level courses normally required for the major may be waived for honors students with departmental approval. Successful completion of the Honors program requires (1) successful completion of the biology major requirements with a GPA of at least 3.0 and (2) completion of at least 6 credits of BIO 482 - Honors Research in Biology .

Experiential Education Program

The University’s Experiential Education program (see Internships ) extends to the biology major students. Majors are eligible for the program upon the completion of 30 academic credits, including 8 credits of chemistry (CH 110 -CH 111 ) and 8 credits of biology (BIO 122 and BIO 123 , or BIO 212 and BIO 213 ), with a GPA of 2.5 minimum and permission of the department.

To receive credit toward graduation, a student must enroll for at least two semesters, a minimum of 6 credits; a maximum of 9 credits may be counted toward the 120 credits required for the bachelor’s degree. Courses count as unrestricted electives and are graded on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Minors for Biology Majors

It is recommended that biology majors, in either the B.S. or B.A. program, consider minors within other departments. The completion of a minor will expand career options and improve potential for employment or graduate school. Biology majors wishing to pursue minors in other departments or schools should consult with their advisors for the recommended sequence of courses. Minors in computer science, psychology, communication, physics, philosophy, rhetoric and professional writing, and environmental studies should be considered. The environmental studies minor is described elsewhere in this Bulletin. For the environmental studies major, which is being developed and currently available as a contract major, see Contract Majors . Programs in the Hartford Art School, the Barney School, the Department of Engineering, and the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions fit particularly well with the required sciences.

Writing Requirement

Biology department writing requirements include essay tests, laboratory reports, and short papers.

Graduate Programs

Master of Science
Thesis and Non-thesis tracks in Neuroscience

For a detailed description of the above graduate programs, please see the Graduate Bulletin.

Graduate Courses

The following graduate-level courses are open to qualified students:

BIO 518 - Neuropharmacology 3 credits
BIO 520/PSY 571 - Introduction to Neuroanatomy 3 credits
BIO 530 - Neurogenetics - 3 credits
BIO 538 - Principles of Neurophysiology 4 credits
BIO 540 - Neuroethics 3 credits
BIO 555 - Vertebrate Histology 4 credits
BIO 576 - Pathophysiology 4 credits

Programs

Undergraduate Major

Minor

Biology Minor