Fact Sheet 07: Biology

Revised June 2007

Biology

The Department of Biology offers a number of degree programs that will prepare you for careers in an assortment of biological, environmental, medical, and clinical fields. The curriculum of all of these programs contains the following core courses that introduce you to the unifying principles of biology: cell physiology, general biology, genetics, and two of three courses in botany, microbiology, and zoology.

According to your career or graduate school objectives, you can choose from a variety of upper-division biology courses. These elective courses offer you laboratory and field experiences in various specialized areas of biology.

Career Opportunities

Those graduating with one of the degrees offered by the Department of Biology are qualified to enter the areas of education, environmental consulting, health care, law, pharmaceuticals, and publishing, as well as industrial, microbiological, biomedical, and biotechnology research. An undergraduate degree in biology also prepares you to enter professional schools of dentistry, medicine, osteopathy, physical therapy, veterinary medicine, and others. Graduate study in other related areas also is an option for those completing the baccalaureate program.

Graduates of the department have found employment at the following companies:

Centocor
E.I. DuPont
ERM, Inc.
Lankenau Hospital
Merck and Co.
Smith Kline Beecham
Roy F. Weston, Inc.
Wyeth Ayerst

Graduates of the department have been accepted into the following graduate/professional schools:

Arcadia University physical therapy program
North Carolina State University
Penn State University
Princeton University
Rutgers - The State University
Temple University
Thomas Jefferson University
Tufts University
University of California, Davis
University of Maryland
University of Massachusetts
University of New Hampshire
University of North Carolina
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School
University of Southern California
University of Virginia
Washington State University
Yale University

Undergraduate Degrees

Bachelor of Arts in Biology
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Bachelor of Science in Biology - Cell and Molecular Concentration
Bachelor of Science in Biology - Ecology Concentration
Bachelor of Science in Biology - Medical Technology Concentration
Bachelor of Science in Biology - Microbiology Concentration
Bachelor of Science in Education - Biology

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Biology. Both degrees prepare you for a variety of careers or entry into graduate or professional schools, including physical therapy programs. You also can pursue further training toward careers in business, law, and writing.

Bachelor of Science in Biology - Cell and Molecular Concentration. ?Graduating from this program will prepare you to do laboratory work or graduate study in molecular aspects of biology, including biotechnology and forensic DNA analysis.

Bachelor of Science in Biology - Ecology Concentration. ?This degree prepares you to work for private, nonprofit, or government groups that study the environment. It also provides you with the preparation needed to work in parks, conservation areas, wildlife management fields, and marine biology.

Bachelor of Science in Biology - Medical Technology Concentration. This program offers you the opportunity to enter the field of laboratory medicine with emphasis on the techniques and instrumentation used to evaluate disease processes. This concentration allows you to complete the necessary general education and department requirements in three years. You will spend the fourth year in a hospital internship training program and receive 26 semester hours of credit for the internship year (BIO 407 and 408, internship in medical technology). To qualify for the internship, you must have a 2.75 GPA and be accepted by an accredited hospital medical technology program. Those completing the internship receive a B.S. in biology - medical technology concentration and the training necessary to take the national certification exam. Affiliated hospitals include Medical College Hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital, and Reading Hospital.

Bachelor of Science in Biology - Microbiology Concentration. This degree prepares you to work in hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and industries that deal with microbiology.

Bachelor of Science in Education - Biology. This degree leads to a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate and prepares you to teach biology in public and private secondary schools. You also will be prepared to work for private or government groups that provide public science education programs, such as wildlife sanctuaries, zoos, and botanical gardens, or to pursue graduate study in biology or education. This degree requires 126 credits for graduation, as opposed to the other bachelor's degrees in biology which require 120 credits.

Examples of Upper-Division Biology Courses

Animal Development
Animal Histology
Animal Physiology
Conservation Biology
Freshwater Ecology
Functional Animal Morphology
Immunology
Microbial Physiology
Molecular Genetics
Population Biology
Recombinant DNA Technology
Virology

Minor

The minor in biology is offered so you can pursue an interdisciplinary program of study that meets unique or specific career objectives.

Facilities

The Department of Biology is housed in the newly renovated Schmucker Science Center North, with additional facilities in the University's newest science facility, Boucher Hall. Completed in 1996, Boucher Hall contains five teaching laboratories for biology: a cell physiology laboratory, a systemic physiology laboratory, an anatomy laboratory, an immunology/virology laboratory, and a tissue culture laboratory. In addition, the department has a P3-level tissue culture facility, a new ultracentrifuge, two high-speed centrifuges, and a liquid scintillation counting system.

Other equipment available for your use as a student includes a single-side band microscope (the world's second), fluorescence microscope, apparatus for video microscopy, cryostat, gamma ray counter, computerized DNA sequencing analyzer, recombinant DNA equipment, electrophoresis equipment for DNA analysis, anaerobic bacterial culture chamber and incubator, patch clamping equipment, and scanning and transmission electron microscopes.

Special Study Opportunities

You are encouraged to participate in laboratory and field independent research projects. Internships are available for seniors in local businesses, laboratories, and field stations.

Faculty

You can obtain a complete listing of faculty and their academic qualifications for this program from the University's Web page at www.wcupa.edu or from the contact persons listed below.

Related Student Activities

The Darlington Biological Society

For More Information

Dr. Jack Waber, Chairperson
OR
Dr. Judith Greenamyer, Assistant Chairperson
Department of Biology
175 Schmucker North
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2538