Bachelor of Arts in Biology
Overview
Biologists study the living world and attempt to understand the
nature of life itself in all of its complexity. At the Mount, we
believe that developing the knowledge and understanding requires a
liberal arts education with a broad exposure to science.
Biology is a dynamic area of study encompassing a variety of life
science courses in the areas of microbiology, genetics, ecology,
cell, molecular, and organismal biology. The life sciences require
an understanding of concepts in mathematics, chemistry, and
physics.
The biology major is interdisciplinary in nature. The curriculum
meets recently defined competencies and prepares students for entry
into health-related and other graduate programs.
A need for science educators
There is, currently, a great need for science teachers both in
high school and at the elementary level as science specialists.
Students interested in pursuing teaching as a career should consult
the Division of Education for details about courses needed to
obtain certification in New York State. A 5-year program leading to
a bachelor of arts in biology and a master of science in adolescent
education with certification to teach in New York State is also
available to Mount students.
Biology at the Mount
There are many advantages to studying biology at Mount Saint
Mary College:
Opportunities outside of the
classroom. You could be a student rep at division
meetings, an officer in the biology and chemistry honor societies,
or participate with the American Chemical Society student affiliate
chapter on campus. Students organize speakers, museum tours, hiking
trips, campus activities like faculty vs. student quiz bowl, and
science night for elementary school students. You’ll get involved
in things you enjoy, meet new people, interact with the faculty,
and develop your leadership skills.
A strong peer group. Biology majors quickly
become a part of the science community at the Mount. Students who
have majors within the Division of Natural Science take their math
and science classes together and quickly form study
groups.
Peer
tutoring. Science majors serve as peer
tutors, and all students have the opportunity to get support for
their learning efforts. Tutoring can provide you with income, but
it will also help you to build your resume and strengthen your
knowledge base.
Research. All
full time faculty members have PhD degrees in different fields and
can offer you the opportunity to develop a research project. This
will make an impression on graduate schools and future employers,
giving you an edge when you move on from your studies at the
Mount.
Learning
science as a process. Many of our laboratory courses
use inquiry-based collaborative learning to introduce students to
the process of science and research.
Mentoring.
All science students are assigned a full-time faculty advisor to
help you explore career options, plan your course schedule and
follow your academic progress. New freshmen are assigned a “science
sibling” before coming to campus so that they have the opportunity
to ask questions of an upperclassman student to student.
Related programs
Chemistry, physical therapy, podiatry, interdisciplinary
- general science, education certification (Adolescent, Childhood), 5-year biology BA / MS in
Ed, 5-year chemistry BA / MS in
Ed.
Program requirements
A biology major must attain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA)
in biology courses of 1.7 by the end of the freshman year, and 2.0
by the end of the sophomore year and each succeeding semester. A
student who does not maintain the minimum GPA in biology will be
asked to withdraw as a biology major.
Where Mount students have interned
- Wadsworth Center, state health laboratory at Albany
- Brookhaven National Laboratory, Science Undergraduate
Laboratory Internships
- Gateway to Dentistry Program, University of Medicine and
Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ)
- The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Minority Student
Summer Research Opportunity
- The Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, Health Experience Learning
Program in speech language pathology
- Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom
- SUNY College of Optometry Collegiate Science and Technology
Entry Program
- University of Tennessee, Memphis Immunology Laboratory
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Microbiology
Laboratory
- Syracuse University Department of Chemistry Research Experience
for Undergraduates Program
- West Point Forestry Technician
Career Options
Students pursuing a major in biology have many career paths
available to them. In addition to the traditional careers in
medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry, many allied health
professions begin with a major in biology. Optometry, podiatry,
chiropractic, medical technology, cytotechnology, physical therapy
and careers as physicians’ assistants all have biology as their
foundation.
Outside of the health professions there are many varied careers
that include: zookeepers, museum curators, science writers,
agricultural specialists, environmental consultants, genetics
councilors, nutritionists, and forensic specialists to name just a
few.
Students who wish to develop expertise in a sub-discipline of
biology, such as physiology, microbiology, immunology, ecology,
etc. attend graduate school, working toward either a master of
science degree (MS) or a doctor of philosophy (PhD). Those trained
as research scientists often build careers in academia or in
industry.
Career Outlook
The New York State Department of Labor predicts the employment
prospects for persons with a bachelor’s degree in biology to be
“very favorable” through 2014.