2007-08 Undergraduate Catalog
Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705
 

Chairperson: Carl S. Luciano

Faculty: Ayebo, N. Bharathan, S. Bharathan, Bi, Brenneman, Butler, Gendron, Hinrichsen, Irani, Jack, Larkin, Lord, Nealen, Newell, Peard, Peterson, Pistole, Simmons, Winstead

Professors emeriti: Gallati, Hulse, Humphreys, Kesner, Liegey, Linzey, Moore, Schrock

Website: www.iup.edu/biology

Degrees offered by the Department of Biology are the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology, the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Biology, the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Environmental Health Science, 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.

B.S.–Biology

In addition to the Bachelor of Science degree with no specialization, the department also offers specialized Bachelor of Science tracks in Cell and Molecular Biology, Pre-Veterinary, Pre-Medical, and Honors Biology.

The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology with no specialization is designed to provide maximum depth in the sciences and mathematics combined with flexibility in the choice of ancillary science courses. This program allows the student (in consultation with the advisor) to select a suite of ancillary science and mathematics courses that is most appropriate to the student’s specific interests within the field of biology. With proper selections from among ancillary science courses, a student could minor in any of the following: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Geoscience, or Applied Statistics. Furthermore, with proper selection of free electives, a student could minor in either Mathematics or Physics.

B.A.–Biology

The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Biology is designed for students who wish to combine a primary academic interest in Biology with a secondary interest in a complementary field. Through the choice of complementary field and free electives, this curriculum allows the greatest overall flexibility in a student’s program of study. The complementary field also allows pursuit of a minor or a double major in the secondary area of interest. The primary Biology major combined with a double major or a minor in the complementary field can make an attractive educational package for the student and for potential employers. Examples of complementary fields that might enhance a student’s competitiveness in the job market include Anthropology, Business Administration, Computer Science, Criminology (for forensic science), English (for technical writing), Foreign Language, Geoscience, Marketing, or Psychology.

B.S.–Environmental Health Program

The Environmental Health Science program provides a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics, on which an understanding of environmental health issues is built. The program focuses on environmental factors that can adversely impact human health. Such factors include ambient and indoor air pollutants, food and water contaminants, solid and hazardous wastes, vector-borne and communicable diseases, housing and shelter hazards, and ecological and global stressors. The curriculum emphasizes analytical and problem-solving skills to identify, evaluate, and manage these environmental factors. Graduates are prepared for employment as environmental health specialists and practitioners in industry, government, and academia and for entry into graduate school programs in environmental and public health.

B.S.–Biology/Cell and Molecular Biology Track

Students electing the Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Cell and Molecular Biology will take the core Biology courses and, in addition, a collection of upper-division courses that focus collectively on important aspects of modern cell and molecular biology. This track will prepare students for employment in technical positions or for graduate studies in cell biology, molecular biology, biotechnology, or related biomedical disciplines.

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 Bachelor of Science 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.

Biology Honors Program

The honors program is open by departmental permission to all majors within the Department of Biology. Students who, by the end of the first semester of their sophomore year, have a minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA will be invited to apply for the program. The application will include a transcript and a personal statement outlining the student’s academic plan, career goals, and why she or he wants to be considered for the honors program. A department honors committee (makeup to be determined by the department) will select a maximum of twelve students per year for the program.

Students accepted into the program will take BIOL 484 during the first semester of their junior year, two semesters of BIOL 483, and one 500/600-level biology course. The honors thesis will be based on research performed under the supervision of a department professor who specializes in the student’s area of interest and must be approved by a thesis committee made up of the faculty member directing the student and two others, one of whom may come from outside the Department of Biology.

Students interested in the Biology Honors Program should discuss this opportunity with their advisors as early as possible so that they have achieved the necessary GPA and are prepared to make application for the program in the spring of their sophomore year. This program, though designed for all qualified students within the Department of Biology, should be of particular value to students intending to seek admission to graduate or professional schools. Honors coursework is designated on university transcripts. Students completing the departmental honors program are recognized at departmental commencement ceremonies.

Minor in Environmental Health Science

The minor in Environmental Health Science provides a survey of the technical areas in environmental health and protection, with an introduction to epidemiology and toxicology that are fundamental to the field. The minor consists of 20 credits in BIOL and ENVH courses. Three additional non-BIOL and non-ENVH courses in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics are needed as prerequisites. This minor is particularly well suited for students interested in human and ecological health issues who are majoring in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Natural Science, or Safety Sciences.

Foreign Language Requirement

Some Biology majors must complete intermediate level or two semesters of foreign language starting at the highest level recommended by the freshman Preregistration 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. See individual tracks and programs for specific requirements.

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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.

Duke Cooperative College Program in Forestry and Environmental Studies

The Cooperative College program with 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 this 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 or Master of Environmental Management.

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.

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 rural communities of Pennsylvania where there is a shortage of physicians. Students interested in this program should enroll as Family Medicine majors.

This 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.

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 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.

Ms. Martha Jack, pre-medical advisor in the Biology Department, will assist students in program planning.

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 with a major 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 Pre-medical Advisory Committee

7.    Completion of AACOMAS application

Marine Science Consortium

Biology majors interested in marine biology are encouraged to investigate summer courses offered through the Marine Science Consortium. Although no separate major in the Marine Sciences exists, elective courses may be taken and credited toward undergraduate curricula in Biology, Geology, Geography, and Earth Science. The Marine Science Consortium offers five three-week sessions during the summer at the NASA -Wallops Island Station, Va. Normally, several research cruises are offered each summer. Students must register for credit and pay credit fees to a participating institution. Room and board fees are paid to the consortium. Applications for all summer sessions must be submitted to the institutional director by April 1. Students must be accepted by the consortium before registering at a participating institution. See section on Marine Science Consortium for a listing of courses. IUP is not currently a member institution; students may register for courses offered at the consortium through any participating institution. See www.msconsortium.org/Welcome.htm for a complete listing.

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 and vary annually. Application and registration for both summer sessions must be completed by April 1. Students usually register for credit and pay fees at IUP. Books, lab fee, and room and board are paid to the Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology. The faculty advisor for this program assists students in program planning, application, and registration.

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

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 credits 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.

Degree Programs

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

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Bachelor of Arts–Biology

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Bachelor of Science–Biology

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Bachelor of Science–Biology/Cell and Molecular Biology Track

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Bachelor of Science–Biology/Pre-Veterinary Track

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Bachelor of Science–Biology/Pre-Medical Track