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College of Arts and Sciences - Curriculum Guide

Biology

Biology Susan Powers-Lee, PhD, Professor and Chair

Matthews Distinguished University Professors Phyllis R. Strauss, PhD Carol M. Warner, PhD College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor Wendy A. Smith, PhD Professors H. William Detrich, PhD Edward L. Jarroll, PhD Gwilym S. Jones, PhD James M. Manning, PhD Richard L. Marsh, PhD Charles A. M. Meszoely, PhD Associate Professors Joseph L. Ayers, PhD Kostia Bergman, PhD Donald P. Cheney, PhD Frederick C. Davis, PhD Charles H. Ellis, Jr., PhD Kim Lewis, PhD Jacqueline M. Piret, PhD Daniel C. Scheirer, PhD

Assistant Professors Slava S. Epstein, PhD Donald M. OıMalley, PhD L. David Smith, PhD Professors Emeriti Charles Gainor, PhD Helen H. Lambert, PhD M. Patricia Morse, PhD Nathan W. Riser, PhD Fred A. Rosenberg, PhD David C. Wharton, PhD Adjunct Professors Bruce B. Collette, PhD Kenneth Sebens, PhD Adjunct Associate Professor Carol A. Brenner, PhD

By majoring in biology, students develop a basic understanding of the organization and the processes of life, from molecules and cells through organs and organ systems to populations, species, ecosystems, and evolution. The major offers the mathematical, chemical, and physical background necessary for understanding biology and the practical scientific skills associated with each of these areas. It allows students to begin to specialize in a subdiscipline of biology such as animal physiology, cell biology, ecology, marine biology/microbiology, molecular biology, plant biology, zoology, etc. Numerous opportunities for relevant positions are available through Northeastern's program of cooperative education.

Students who decide to major in biology in the freshman or sophomore year may follow the prescribed academic sequence; students who enter the major in the middler year may complete the major in the normal time by taking some electives concurrently with the biology core, or Biocore, courses. After completing the Biocore, students interested in independent research may arrange to undertake a more extensive honors program involving up to four quarters of research.

To graduate with a major in biology, a student must have a cumulative quality-point average (QPA) of 2.0 for all science and mathematics courses required for the major. The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees require a modern language. The Bachelor of Science program is more extensive in its mathematics and science requirements and may offer better preparation for some areas of postgraduate study. The department publishes The Biology Undergraduate Advisory Book, which explains the required and recommended courses and the QPA standards for biology majors. The advisory book is available in the Department of Biology, 414 Mugar Hall.

A marine biology concentration designed to provide biology majors with a strong foundation in marine biology and related disciplines, is now offered through the Northeastern University Marine Science Center in Nahant. The concentration combines specific course work in marine biology, research projects in thematic areas that represent ongoing Marine Science Center research, and cooperative education opportunities in the marine fields. Fulfillment of the marine biology concentration requires completion of the biology major requirements with all six advanced electives in marine biology, plus completion of BIO 1170, Marine Biology, and four credits of BIO 1381­4, Marine Biology Projects, and completion of the arts and sciences core curriculum. Marine biology concentration students may also participate in the East/West Marine Biology program and the Marine Science Center summer program.

Contact Sal Genovese at 781.581.7370, extension 311, for more details, or visit http://www.dac.neu.edu/msc/.

The undergraduate biology major prepares students for careers in the life sciences, including medical, dental, and other health-related fields. Students may find employment in federal, state, industrial, hospital, or university laboratories or in industries involved in the manufacture and distribution of pharmaceuticals, biological products, food, or scientific equipment. Biologists also work in fisheries, forestry services, county and state agencies, museums, aquariums, research vessels, and marine stations.

Graduate study culminating in a master's or doctoral degree can lead to careers in upper-level teaching or research in any of the life sciences.

Premedical or predental students are urged to consult with the preprofessional advisory committee early in their careers at Northeastern. See course descriptions for more information.

Bachelor of Arts Curriculum

BIO 1100, BIO 1101, BIO 1102, Principles of Biology 1, 2, and 3; BIO 1600, BIO 1601, BIO 1602, Principles of Biology 1, 2, and 3 Lab; BIO 1222, Environmental and Population Biology; BIO 1611, Environmental and Population Biology Lab; BIO 1282, Genetics; BIO 1660, Genetics Lab; BIO 1283, Introductory Biochemistry; BIO 1661, Introductory Biochemistry Lab; BIO 1494, Capstone in Biology; and four advanced biology electives approved by department Advisory Committee.

MTH 1106, Functions and Algebra, MTH 1107, Functions and Basic Calculus, and MTH 1108, Basic Calculus 2; or MTH 1133, MTH 1134, and MTH 1135, Calculus for Biology Majors 1, 2, and 3; PHY 1201 and PHY 1202, or PHY 1203, Physics for the Life Sciences 1 and 2, or 3, and PHY 1501, PHY 1502, Physics Lab for the Life Sciences 1 and 2, or PHY 1221 and PHY 1222, Physics for Science and Engineering Students 1 and 2, and PHY 1521 and PHY 1522, Physics Lab for Science and Engineering Students 1 and 2, or PHY 1223, Physics for Science and Engineering Students 3 and PHY 1523, Physics Lab for Science and Engineering Students 3; CHM 1111, General Chemistry I; CHM 1122, General Chemistry 2; CHM 1221, Analytical Chemistry; and CHM 1264, CHM 1265, Organic Chemistry 1 and 2.

In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.

Bachelor of Science Curriculum

BIO 1100, BIO 1101, BIO 1102, Principles of Biology 1, 2, and 3; BIO 1600, BIO 1601, BIO 1602, Principles of Biology 1, 2, and 3 Lab; BIO 1222, Environmental and Population Biology; BIO 1611, Environmental and Population Biology Lab; BIO 1282, Genetics; BIO 1660, Genetics Lab; BIO 1283, Introductory Biochemistry; BIO 1661, Introductory Biochemistry Lab; BIO 1494, Capstone in Biology; and four advanced biology electives approved by department Advisory Committee.

MTH 1106, Functions and Algebra; MTH 1107, Functions and Basic Calculus; and MTH 1108, Calculus; or MTH 1133, MTH 1134, and MTH 1135, Calculus for Biology Majors 1, 2, and 3; PHY 1201, PHY 1202, and PHY 1203, Physics for Life Sciences 1, 2, and 3, and PHY 1501, PHY 1502, or PHY 1503, Physics Laboratory for the Life Sciences 1, 2 and 3; or PHY 1221, PHY 1222, and PHY 1223, Physics for Science and Engineering Students 1, 2, and 3; PHY 1521, PHY 1522 or PHY 1523, Physics Lab for Science and Engineering Students, 1, 2, and 3; CHM 1111 and CHM 1122, General Chemistry 1 and 2; CHM 1221, Analytical Chemistry; CHM 1264 and CHM 1265, Organic Chemistry 1 and 2; and two additional advanced science electives approved by department Advisory Committee.

In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.

Minor Curriculum

A minor in biology consists of any six biology courses for which the student has the prerequisites, plus two more courses in biology or other departments that serve as prerequisites for biology courses. At least five of the total eight courses must include laboratory, and a student may not count toward the biology minor more than one course, or course sequence, that covers substantially the same material.

To accommodate the needs of students majoring in different fields, the biology minor requirements have been phrased in a general and flexible way. To ensure that course selection is sound and appropriate to the studentıs background, each studentıs biology minor program must receive the signed approval of the biology minor adviser before the student has completed the first biology course.

Suggested course groupings for a biology minor have been developed for students with different backgrounds in college mathematics and science. The core minor for students with considerable work in mathematics, chemistry, or physics provides the foundation on which a biology major is built, without advanced specialization. For students with less college mathematics/science background, or none, three other minor options provide the opportunity for first-level exposure to the basic principles of biology. This option also gives students an opportunity to achieve some advanced specialization in plant and/or animal studies or to explore human biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and the problems of the environment.

For further information, contact the biology minor adviser in 414 Mugar, 617.373.2260.

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