WCSU Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024 : Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences

Biology

Dr. Theodora Pinou, Chair
pinout@wcsu.edu
Science Building 243, Midtown campus
(203) 837-8569

Eliamar Gonzalez, Department Secretary
gonzaleze@wcsu.edu
Science Building 220, Midtown campus
(203) 837-8791


Faculty

T. Pinou, Chair D. Christopher N. Connally
J. Cordeira K. Giamanco M. Monette
S. Wagener C. Santibanez-Lopez H. Reynolds
E. Wong

 

Overview

The programs in the Department of Biology provide students with the background required to succeed in a wide variety of fields such as cell and molecular biology, medicine, environmental science and education. A core of science courses provides a solid foundation in biology while electives allow students to pursue their special interests. All biology majors conduct research under the supervision of a faculty mentor.


Mission

The programs in the Department of Biology provide students from diverse backgrounds with the conceptual and technical knowledge for careers in organismal, cell, and molecular biology, environmental science, and teaching, and prepare them for graduate programs and careers in the health sciences. Electives at Western allow students to pursue special interests, and all biology majors conduct research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. The Department also provides service courses to support the education of students in other majors.


Objectives

To accomplish this mission, the Department of Biology

  • Prepares students for successful careers related to biology by training them for advanced responsibilities in research, education, industry and other biology-related fields
  • Provides current and relevant courses that support student needs
  • Integrates undergraduate research with faculty research projects
  • Provides a variety of general education and service courses to the student body
  • Promotes faculty research and professional contributions that advance the biological and environmental sciences, teaching pedagogy and support regional needs, including science education

 

Learning Outcomes

By the completion of their BA degree in Biology:

  1. Graduates will have a broad understanding of the following core concepts of biology:
    1. Evolution shapes the diversity of life.
    2. Structure and function are interrelated at all levels of biological organization.
    3. Information is stored and exchanged, within and among, organisms.
    4. Life depends on transformations of energy and matter.
    5. Living systems are interconnected and interacting.
  2. Graduates will be able to:
    1. Apply the process of science.
    2. use quantitative reasoning, including statistics, modeling and simulation.
    3. Tap into the interdisciplinary nature of science, including communicating and collaborating with other disciplines.
    4. Clearly convey their understanding of biology through written and oral communication.
    5. Describe the interrelationships between science and society, including the role of ethics in scientific research.


Degree Programs in Biology

Bachelor of Arts in Biology
Options:
Bioscience
Ecological Sciences
Professional

Bachelor of Science in Biology
Secondary Education: Biology

Minor Program
Biology


Bachelor of Arts in Biology (B.A.)

BA Biology: Bioscience Option 

Description: This option is for students who are looking for a broad biology education and workforce training with less emphasis on physical science.  

Degree Requirements 

All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH) that include major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.   

Required Courses in the Major: 51-52 (SH).  

BIO 103 General Biology I (SI)  4 SH 
BIO 104 General Biology II (SI)  4 SH 
BIO 200 Ecology  4 SH 
BIO 205 Animal Physiology  4 SH 
BIO 260 Modes of Scientific Communication (W2)  3 SH 
BIO 312 Genetics  4 SH 
BIO 325 Evolutionary Biology  3 SH 
BIO 480 or BIO 490 Senior Research (CE, W3)  3 SH 
Bioscience Option Requirements   
BIO 310 Vertebrate Embryology OR BIO 311 Developmental Bio  4 SH 
Biology Electives: any Bio 200-400 level, or CHE 421, 422, 431  7-8 SH 
Math/Science Sequence: Any from the list below.  12 SH 
Any BIO 200 or higher; Any CHE 200 or higher; MAT 133, 170, 171, 181, 182; PHY 110, 111, 120, 121; AST 150; MTR 150; ES110; CS140, 143 
Cognates (Counted in General Education) 
MAT 120 Elementary Statistics (QR)  3 SH 
CHE 110 General Chemistry I   4 SH 
CHE 111 General Chemistry II  4 SH 
Minimum GPA for the BA in Biology = 2.0. 


General Education
: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad/academic-programs-degrees/ 

Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the breadth requirement. Where applicable, cognates are indicated in the list of courses required in the major.  

Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours.  Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.  


Sample Four Year Plan: BA Biology: Bioscience Option

Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.  

Semester 1  SH  Semester 2  SH 
BIO 101 Freshman Sem. For BIO (FY)  1  WRT 101 Composition I (W1)  3 
BIO 103 General Biology I (SI)  4  BIO 104 General Biology II (SI, Rpt. 1)  4 
CHE 110 General Chemistry I  4  CHE 111 Gen Chem II  4 
Gen Ed: Oral Communication (OC) OR MAT 120 Elementary Statistics  3  Gen Ed: Oral Communication (OC) OR MAT 120 Elementary Statistics  3 
Gen Ed: Critical Thinking (CT)  3  CED or Free Elective   1-1.5 
       
Semester 3  SH  Semester 4  SH 
BIO 200 Ecology  4  BIO 205 Animal Physiology  4 
CHE 210 Organic Chem I  4  CHE 211 Organic Chem II  4 
BIO 260 Modes of Communication (W2) or Gen Ed: Creative Process (CP)  3  BIO 260 Scientific Writing (W2) OR Gen Ed: Creative Process (CP)  3 
Gen Ed: Intercultural Comp. (IC)*  3  Gen Ed: Intercult. Comp (IC, Rpt. 2) *  3 
Health & Wellness (HW)  2     
       
Semester 5    Semester 6   
BIO 312 Genetics  4  BIO325 Evolutionary Biology   3 
BIO 310 Vertebrate Embryology OR BIO 311 Developmental Biology 4  BIO Elective  4 
SCI/MATH Elective  4  SCI/Math Elective   4 
Gen Ed: Information Lit (IL)  3  Gen Ed: Rpt 3  3 
       
Semester 7    Semester 8   
BIO 480 or BIO 490 Sr. Research (CE, W3)  3  Free Elective 3 
BIO Elective**  2-4 Free Elective  2-4 
SCI/MATH Elective 2-4  Free Elective  3 
Free Elective  3-4  Free elective  3-4 
Free Elective  3  Free Elective  3 
Total Credits Required for the BA in Biology = 120; Minimum GPA 2.0. 

*All Bachelor of Arts degrees at WCSU require that students complete a language at or above the elementary II level. Students who have completed three years of a foreign language at a minimum of C average in high school have met this requirement. However, they must still complete at least one Intercultural Competency course. 

**BIO Electives vary in number of SH earned. Remember that your total must be 120 to complete your degree.  

 

BA Biology: Ecological Sciences 

Description: This option is for students who are interested in ecology and environmental biology and who wish to either work or attend graduate school in that field. 

Degree Requirements 

All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH) that include major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.   

Required Courses in the Major: 62-63 (SH).  

BIO 103 General Biology I (SI)  4 SH 
BIO 104 General Biology II (SI)  4 SH 
BIO 200 Ecology  4 SH 
BIO 205 Animal Physiology  4 SH 
BIO 260 Modes of Scientific Communication (W2)  3 SH 
BIO 312 Genetics  4 SH 
BIO 325 Evolutionary Biology  3 SH 
BIO 480 or BIO 490 Senior Research (CE, W3)  3 SH 
Ecological Sciences Option Requirements   
BIO 216 General Microbiology  4 SH 
One of these: BIO 422 Conservation Biology OR BIO 375 Climate Ecology  4 SH 
Biology Electives: any Bio 200-400 level, or CHE 421, 422, 431  11-12 SH 
Math/Science Sequence: Any from the list below.  12 SH 
Any BIO 200 or higher; Any CHE 200 or higher; MAT 133, 170, 171, 181, 182; PHY 110, 111, 120, 121; AST 150; MTR 150; ES110; CS140, 143 
Cognates (Counted in General Education) 
MAT 120 Elementary Statistics (QR)  3 SH 
CHE 110 General Chemistry I   4 SH 
CHE 111 General Chemistry II  4 SH 
Minimum GPA for the BA in Biology = 2.0. 


General Education
: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad/academic-programs-degrees/ 

Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the breadth requirement. Where applicable, cognates are indicated in the list of courses required in the major.  

Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours.  Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.  


Sample Four Year Plan: BA Biology: Ecological Sciences

Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.  

Semester 1  SH  Semester 2  SH 
BIO 101 Freshman Sem. For BIO (FY)  1  WRT 101 Composition I (W1)  3 
BIO 103 General Biology I (SI)  4  BIO 104 General Biology II (SI, RPT 1)  4 
CHE 110 General Chemistry I  4  CHE 111 Gen Chem II  4 
Gen Ed: Oral Communication (OC) OR MAT 120 Elementary Statistics  3  Gen Ed: Oral Communication (OC) OR MAT 120 Elementary Statistics  3 
Gen Ed: Critical Thinking (CT)  3  CED or Free Elective   1-1.5 
Semester 3  SH  Semester 4  SH 
BIO 200 Ecology  4  BIO 205 Animal Physiology  4 
CHE 210 Organic Chem I  4  CHE 211 Organic Chem II  4 
BIO 260 Modes of Scientific Communication (W2) 3  Gen Ed: Creative Process (CP)  3 
Gen Ed: Intercultural Comp. (IC)*  3  Gen Ed: Intercult. Comp (IC, RPT 2)*  3 
Health & Wellness (HW)  2     
Semester 5    Semester 6   
BIO 312 Genetics  4  BIO 325 Evolutionary Biology   3 
BIO Elective  4  BIO 216 General Microbiology  4 
SCI/MATH Elective  4  SCI/Math Elective   4 
Gen Ed: Information Lit (IL)  3  Gen Ed: RPT 3  3 
Semester 7    Semester 8   
BIO 480 or BIO 490 Sr. Research (CE, W3)  3  Free Elective 3 
SCI/MATH Elective 2-4  BIO Elective  2-4 
BIO Elective**  2-4  Free Elective  3 
BIO 375 Climate Control OR BIO 422 Conservation Biology 3-4 Free Elective 3-4 
Free Elective  3  Free Elective  3 
Total Credits Required for the BA in Biology = 120; Minimum GPA 2.0. 

*Students who have not completed three years of a foreign language at a C average in high school are required to complete two semesters of a foreign language requirement. All others must complete the Intercultural Competency. 

**BIO Electives vary in number of SH earned. Remember that your total must be 120 to complete your degree.  

 

BA Biology: Professional Option 

Description: This option is for Pre-health students who are planning to continue their education in medical, dental, veterinary schools, or graduate school. It also will prepare students for entry-level positions requiring more physical science. 

Degree Requirements 

All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH) that include major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.   

Required Courses in the Major: 62-63 Semester Hours.  

BIO 103 General Biology I (SI)  4 SH 
BIO 104 General Biology II (SI)  4 SH 
BIO 200 Ecology  4 SH 
BIO 205 Animal Physiology  4 SH 
BIO 260 Modes of Scientific Communication (W2)  3 SH 
BIO 312 Genetics  4 SH 
BIO 325 Evolutionary Biology  3 SH 
BIO 480 or BIO 490 Senior Research (CE, W3)  3 SH 
Professional Option Requirements   
BIO 300 Cell Biology  4 SH 
CHE 210 Organic Chemistry I  4 SH 
CHE 211 Organic Chemistry II  4 SH 
Biology Electives: any Bio 200-400 level, or CHE 421, 422, 431  7-9 SH 
Math/Science Sequence: Any from the list below.  12 SH 
Any BIO 200 or higher; Any CHE 200 or higher; MAT 133, 170, 171, 181, 182; PHY 110, 111, 120, 121; AST 150; MTR 150; ES110; CS140, 143 
Cognates (Counted in General Education) 
MAT 120 Elementary Statistics (QR)  3 SH 
CHE 110 General Chemistry I   4 SH 
CHE 111 General Chemistry II  4 SH 
Minimum GPA for the BA in Biology = 2.0. 


General Education
: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad/academic-programs-degrees/ 

Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the breadth requirement. Where applicable, cognates are indicated in the list of courses required in the major.  

Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours.  Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.  


Sample Four Year Plan: BA Biology: Professional Option

Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.  

Semester 1  SH  Semester 2  SH 
BIO 101 Freshman Sem. For BIO (FY)  1  WRT 101 Composition I (W1)  3 
BIO 103 General Biology I (SI)  4  BIO 104 General Biology II (SI, RPT 1)  4 
CHE110 General Chemistry I  4  CHE 111 Gen Chem II  4 
Gen Ed: Oral Communication (OC) OR MAT 120 Elementary Statistics  3  Gen Ed: Oral Communication (OC) OR MAT 120 Elementary Statistics  3 
Gen Ed: Critical Thinking (CT)  3  CED or Free Elective   1-1.5 
       
Semester 3  SH  Semester 4  SH 
BIO 200 Ecology  4  BIO 205 Animal Physiology  4 
CHE 210 Organic Chem I  4  CHE 211 Organic Chem II  4 
BIO 260 Modes of Scientific Communication (W2)  3  Gen Ed: Creative Process (CP)  3 
Gen Ed: Intercultural Comp. (IC)*  3  Gen Ed: Intercult. Comp (IC, RPT 2) *  3 
Health & Wellness (HW)  2     
       
Semester 5    Semester 6   
BIO 312 Genetics  4  BIO325 Evolutionary Biology   3 
BIO Elective  4  BIO 300 Cell Biology  4 
SCI/MATH Elective  4  SCI/Math Elective   4 
Gen Ed: Information Lit (IL)  3  Gen Ed: RPT 3  3 
       
Semester 7    Semester 8   
BIO 480 or BIO 490 Sr. Research (CE, W3)  3  Free Elective 3 
SCI/MATH Elective 2-4  BIO Elective  2-4 
Free Elective  3-4  Free Elective  3 
Free Elective  3  Free Elective  3 
Free Elective  3  Free Elective  3 
Total Credits Required for the BA in Biology = 120; Minimum GPA 2.0. 

*Students who have not completed three years of a foreign language at a C average in high school are required to complete two semesters of a foreign language requirement. All others must complete the Intercultural Competency. 

**BIO Electives vary in number of SH earned. Remember that your total must be 120 to complete your degree.  


Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education – Biology (B.S.)

DescriptionThis degree provides a biology/education curriculum that imparts a broad base of knowledge about biological processes, principles, and research, so that students have the foundational knowledge they need to educate others. 

 Degree Requirements
All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH) that include major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.   

Required Courses in the Major: 62-63 Semester Hours.  

BIO 103 General Biology I (SI)  4 SH 
BIO 104 General Biology II (SI)  4 SH 
BIO 200 Ecology  4 SH 
BIO 205 Animal Physiology  4 SH 
BIO 260 Modes of Scientific Communication (W2)  3 SH 
BIO 312 Genetics  4 SH 
BIO 325 Evolutionary Biology  3 SH 
BIO 480 or BIO 490 Senior Research (CE, W3)  3 SH 
Professional Option Requirements   
BIO 300 Cell Biology  4 SH 
CHE 210 Organic Chemistry I  4 SH 
CHE 211 Organic Chemistry II  4 SH 
Cognates (Counted in General Education) 
MAT 120 Elementary Statistics (QR)  3 SH 
CHE 110 General Chemistry I   4 SH 
CHE 111 General Chemistry II  4 SH 
Fine Arts: Creative Process (CP)  3 SH 
HIS 148 or 149 American History (CT)  3 SH 
ENG Literature Course (any)  3 SH 
Certification Requirements 
ED 206 Introduction to Education (IL, OC)  3 SH 
ED 212 Educational Psychology: Childhood & Adolescence II (W2)  3 SH 
HPX 215 Health Issues in Schools  3 SH 
EPY 405 Intro to Special Education   3 SH 
ED 385 Methods of Teaching in Secondary Schools co-req ED 386  3 SH 
ED 386 Secondary Education Professional Dev. Experience co-req ED 385  1 SH 
ED 440 Integrating Language  3 SH 
ED 447 Teaching in Secondary Schools  3 SH 
ED 340 Assessment of Teaching Strategies (W3)  1 SH 
ED 342 Student Teaching Secondary Education (Grade 7-12) (CE)  12 SH 
Minimum GPA for the BS Secondary Ed in Biology = 3.0. 


General Education
: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad/academic-programs-degrees/ 

Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the breadth requirement. Where applicable, cognates are indicated in the list of courses required in the major.  

Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours.  Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.  


Sample Four Year Plan: BS Secondary Ed: Biology

Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.  

Semester 1  SH  Semester 2  SH 
BIO 101 Freshman Sem. For BIO (FY)  1  WRT 101 Composition I (W1)  3 
BIO 103 General Biology I (SI)  4  BIO 104 General Biology II (SI, RPT 1)  4 
CHE110 General Chemistry I  4  CHE 111 Gen Chem II  4 
MAT 120 Elementary Statistics (QR)  3  Gen Ed: Creative Process (CP) 3 
HIS 148/149 American History (CT)  3  Health & Wellness (HW)   2 
       
Semester 3  SH  Semester 4  SH 
BIO 200 Ecology  4  BIO 205 Animal Physiology  4 
CHE 210 Organic Chem I  4  CHE 211 Organic Chem II  4 
BIO 260 Modes of Scientific Communication (W2)  3  ENG Literature Elective  3 
ED 206 Intro. to Education (IL, OC)  3  ED 212 Ed Psych: Childhood & Adolescence II (W2)  3 
HPX 215 Health Issues in Schools  3     
       
Semester 5  SH  Semester 6  SH 
BIO 312 Genetics  4  BIO 325 Evolutionary Biology   3 
Free Elective (Bio Recommended)  3  BIO 300 Cell Biology  4 
Gen Ed: RPT 2 or Breadth  3  BIO 480 or BIO 490 Sr. Research (CE, W3)  3 
Intercultural Competency (IC)   3  Intercultural Competency (IC, RPT 3)  3 
Free Elective  3  Free Elective  3 
       
Semester 7  SH  Semester 8  SH 
EPY 405 Intro to Special Education     ED 340 Assessment of Teaching Strategies (W3)  1 
ED 385 Methods of Teaching in Secondary Schools co-req ED 386    ED 342 Student Teaching Secondary Education (Grade 7-12) (CE)  12 
ED 386 Secondary Education Professional Dev. Experience co-req ED 385       
ED 440 Integrating Language       
ED 447 Teaching in Secondary Schools       
Total Credits Required for the BS Secondary Ed: Biology = 120; Minimum GPA 3.0. 

 *The BS Secondary Ed: Biology requires that students complete a language at or above the elementary II level. Students who have completed three years of a foreign language at a minimum of a C average in high school have met this requirement. However, they must still complete at least one Intercultural Competency course. 

See the Department of Education and Educational Psychology within the School of Professional Studies.
*Note: The Secondary Education – Biology (B. S.) Option is the same suggested BIO sequence as the Professional option, except there are NO Biology electives.

 

Biology Electives

Any Biology course 200-level or above will count in this category. Biochemistry (CHE 421, 422, 431) is acceptable in this this category.

 

Math/Science Electives

For all three options (Professional, Ecological Sciences, Bioscience), the following courses are approved to count as Science/Math electives (if they are not already required by the option): All BIO courses level 200 or above; All CHE courses level 200 or above; MAT 133, 170, 171, 181, 182; PHY 110, 111, 120, 121; AST 150; MTR 150; ES 110; CS 140, 143.

 

Course Restrictions
For a complete list of prerequisites, corequisites and other restrictions for all courses, please consult the Course Description section of this catalog.

 

Minor in Biology

Please see your advisor to review all program requirements.

Required Courses (8 SH):
BIO 103 General Biology I
BIO 104 General Biology II
OR
BIO 110 The Animal World
BIO 111 General Botany

Six to Eight credits (6-8 SH) of approved Biology courses at or above the 200-level

Additional biology courses to total at least 18 semester hours.

*BIO 100 Concepts of Biology will not count towards the minor; BIO 105, 106 Anatomy & Physiology I & II will count if both courses are taken. Students electing to minor in Biology should consult with the department chairperson for course selection. (A minimum of one-half of all semester hours in the minor must be taken at Western. Students must attain a minimum GPA of 2.00 for the courses taken at Western.)