2002-2003 Undergraduate Catalog
Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705
 

Carl S. Luciano, Chairperson; Andrew, Ayebo, Bharathan, Brenneman, Browe, Butler, Ciskowski, Dietrich, Gendron, Hinrichsen, Hulse, Humphreys, Jack, Kesner, Linzey, Lord, Nastase, Newell, Peard, Peterson, Pickering, Pistole, Simmons, Winstead; and professors emeriti Gallati, Liegey, Moore, Schrock

Website: www.iup.edu/biology

Degrees offered by the Department of Biology are the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, the Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology, the Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Health, and the Bachelor of Science in Education with a Biology certification. The first three degree programs are under the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and the fourth is under the College of Education and Educational Technology. The department also offers a Biology minor.

The program leading to a B.S. degree in Biology is designed to provide maximum depth in the sciences and mathematics with less opportunity for free electives. Students who plan to attend graduate school or professional schools, such as those in human or veterinary medicine, most often choose this program of studies.

Further, the B.S. degree in Biology automatically qualifies a student for a minor in chemistry and thus represents more than adequate preparation for employment opportunities that require expertise in both biology and chemistry.

The program leading to the B.A. degree in Biology is designed to allow greater opportunity for free electives. This freedom could be used to pursue interests in areas outside of biology, allowing for a more broadly based Liberal Arts education. Alternatively, the B.A. degree student would have the flexibility to pursue in depth (to minor in or perhaps even to double major in) another discipline. A Biology major combined with other sciences such as Biochemistry, Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, Geoscience, Mathematics, or Psychology, or disciplines such as Art, English, Business, or a foreign language can make attractive packages for the student and for potential future employers.

Environmental Health Program

This program focuses on environmental and ecological factors as they relate to human well-being, including food safety, clean water and air, vector-borne diseases, and waste management. The Environmental Health Program is a preparation for employment in local, state, and federal agencies and industry as well as graduate school in a public health-related field. Between the junior and senior year, each student should serve an internship in the private or public sector.

B.S. in Education – Secondary Biology

The Department of Biology, in conjunction with the College of Education and Educational Technology, provides a program leading to the B.S. in Education with certification to teach biology. The program is committed to preparing teachers who possess a strong foundation in biology, a broad background in associated sciences, and an extensive preparation in pedagogy.

Foreign Language Requirement

Except for Biology Education majors, Biology majors must complete intermediate level or two semesters of foreign language starting at the highest level recommended by the freshman Pre-registration Placement Test in that language (may be included in Liberal Studies electives). This requirement can also be met by demonstrating proficiency in a foreign language equivalent to the intermediate level.

Cooperative Programs

The Biology Department cooperates in programs with Jefferson Medical College, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Duke University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology.

Ø       Duke Cooperative College Program in Forestry and Environmental Studies: The Cooperative College program with the Duke University School of the Environment (www.env.duke.edu/) is designed to coordinate the undergraduate education of students at IUP with graduate programs in the areas of resources and environment offered at Duke. Undergraduate majors in one of the natural sciences, mathematics, economics, business, or political science are suited to the program. Preparation for the Duke program should include at least one year each of biology with work in botany, economics with a significant component of microeconomics, and mathematics which should include calculus, computer science, and statistics. Applicants to the Duke program who have completed courses in ecology, chemistry, geology, physics, and a foreign language or additional courses in biology, economics, and mathematics will be given preferential consideration. Students are accepted in either of two degree programs at Duke: the Master of Forestry (M.F.) or Master of Environmental Management (M.E.M.).

Students may be accepted into the Duke graduate program after three years of high-quality undergraduate study at IUP or upon completion of the baccalaureate. Students who qualify after three years will have completed most of the undergraduate degree requirements at IUP except for total hours. Courses at Duke will be applied to the bachelor’s degree at IUP. Dr. Jerry L. Pickering, Department of Biology, is the faculty advisor at IUP and assists students in program planning.

Ø       Jefferson Medical College-IUP Physician Shortage Area Program: A cooperative Family Medicine Physician Education Program has been established by IUP and Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia for the purpose of improving the distribution of physicians in Pennsylvania. The program is designed to increase the opportunities for young women and men to practice family medicine in the rural communities of Pennsylvania where there is a shortage of physicians. Students interested in this program should enroll as Family Medicine majors.

The program at Jefferson Medical College will admit approximately four graduates of IUP and twenty graduates of other colleges each year. Students from IUP will be admitted only if properly qualified according to the admission standards and policies of Jefferson Medical College. Applications are reviewed by the Joint IUP-Jefferson Subcommittee and recommendations made to the Jefferson Committee on Admissions.

Ø       Admission to Jefferson Medical College: A strong preparation in the sciences and mathematics basic to medical school studies is required. A variety of college course formats and combinations, including biology, general and organic chemistry, and physics are a minimum. Courses taken to meet the basic requirements should be rigorous and, in general, comparable to courses accepted for concentration in these disciplines. Courses taken should be supplemented by laboratory experiences. Students may take upper-level science courses out of educational interest or to fulfill the requirements of their major. Taking additional science courses that cover material taught within the medical school curriculum is not helpful to gaining admission.

Breadth of education is expected. Pursuit of some discipline in depth is encouraged. A successful medical student must actively acquire, synthesize, apply, and communicate information. These are skills that can be developed through a great variety of academic disciplines. Studies in the humanities and the social and behavioral sciences and development of effective writing skills are strongly suggested. Additional requirements for admission can be found in “Information for Prospective Students,” published by Jefferson Medical College.

Students who qualify for the Physician Shortage Area Program (PSAP) must certify their intentions to adhere to the following plan of education and practice: (a) complete the family medicine curriculum during their four years of medical education at Jefferson Medical College, including a six-week clerkship in a rural area; (b) complete a three-year family medicine residency; and (c) agree to practice family medicine in an underserved area. Preference will be given to Pennsylvania residents who are interested in this program, with highest priority given to those who actually live, at the time of application, in the underserved area in which they hope to practice. Dr. Allan Andrew, pre-medical advisor in the Biology Department, will assist students in program planning.

Ø       Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and IUP have a cooperative “3+4” program. Students will be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from IUP upon successful completion of the first-year curriculum at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and of the undergraduate requirements at IUP. In order to be considered for the program, students must be in the top 25 percent of their graduating class, have a minimum SAT score of 1150 (recentered), and have additional documented evidence of scholarly/professional potential, leadership, and community involvement. While at IUP, these students must meet the following requirements:

1. Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better overall

2. Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better in prescribed science courses

3. A grade of C or better in all courses

4. Successful completion of Liberal Studies and required courses by the end of the third year

5. Successful completion of MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) no later than the spring semester of the third year with desired scores of 7 or better in each subtest and an overall score of 24 or better

6. Favorable letter of recommendation from the Premedical Advisory Committee

7. Completion of AACOMAS application

Ø       Marine Science Consortium: Biology majors interested in marine biology are encouraged to investigate summer courses offered through the Marine Science Consortium at Wallops Island, Virginia. Although IUP is not currently a member institution, students may register for courses offered at the Marine Science Consortium through any participating institution. (See www.msconsortium.org/Welcome.htm for a complete listing of these.) These courses count as biology electives. 

Ø       Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology: Biology majors can expand their selection of course offerings by participating in a cooperative program with the University of Pittsburgh’s Field Station at the Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology located in northwestern Pennsylvania. These elective courses center on ecological and environmental topics, i.e., Behavioral Ecology, Aquatic Entomology, Ecological Management, Ecology of Birds, Ecology of Reptiles and Amphibians, Aquatic Ecology, Microbial Ecology, Forest Ecology, and Vertebrate Ecology. Application and registration for both summer sessions must be completed by April 1. Students register for credit and pay fees at IUP. Books, lab fee, and room and board are paid to the Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology. Dr. Anthony J. Nastase is the faculty advisor for this cooperative program and assists students in program planning, application, and registration.

IUP Department of Biology/University of Zimbabwe Department of Biological Sciences Exchange Program

The Department of Biology reciprocal exchange program with the University of Zimbabwe Department of Biological Sciences encourages both faculty and student exchanges in the major disciplines of biology. Students register and pay the cost of housing and meals, as well as any other mandatory semester fees in their home institution, and are then covered by the one-for-one exchange by the host institution. Course semester hours are transferable. Exchange of faculty and professional staff is also based on the principle of reciprocity. Dr. Amadu Ayebo, coordinator, will assist students in program planning.

Mentor Program and Biology Residence Floor

The Department of Biology offers a Peer Mentor Program that allows incoming students, new to IUP and new to Biology, to quickly gain an academic home. New students are assigned an upper-level Peer Mentor to help guide them through the curriculum, requirements, and programs within our department and college. A fall off-campus retreat is an important component of our Mentor Program, and students are expected to attend.

Elkin Hall, just behind Weyandt Hall (the home of the Department of Biology), has a single residence floor dedicated to Biology, Environmental Health, Biology Education, and Preprofessional (Pre-Med, Pre-Vet) students. Students with similar professional and academic interests can share life experiences by being part of this component of our academic community. Undeclared or Natural Science students with interests in Biology may also apply to be on this floor.

Degree Programs

In the programs of study that follow, no more than 6 semester hours total from internships, independent study, and special topics can be counted toward biology course requirements. Credits beyond six earned from these sources are counted as general electives. Note: Students changing into the majors of Biology, Biology Education, or Environmental Health are required to have a 2.5 cumulative GPA or permission of the chairperson.

Bachelor of Arts—Biology

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Bachelor of Science—Biology

Bachelor of Science in Education—Biology (*)

Bachelor of Science—Environmental Health

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