Introduction

The Biology (BIOL) program offers B.A. and B.S. degrees and a Biology minor in order to (1) prepare students for a variety of careers in biological science; (2) provide a background of skills, attitudes and knowledge needed for further study in professional and graduate schools; and (3) promote enjoyment and appreciation of the organisms that populate our planet. BIOL courses emphasize the diversity of life-forms that have evolved and the wide range of levels at which they can be studied: molecular to ecosystem. Many courses have laboratory and/or field components, and utilize seminar, tutorial or independent project modes of instruction.

   The program takes advantage of the College’s 1,600-acre setting in the New Jersey Pine Barrens close to the Atlantic Ocean. It is an area rich with diverse terrestrial, estuarine and marine habitats. Nearby are the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge and many other federal, state, county and private wildlife preserves and research facilities on campus. The College has its own marine station. The laboratory complex includes a greenhouse, animal rooms, environmental growth chambers, computer apparatus for physiological studies, light microscopes of many descriptions, a plant and animal tissue culture laboratory, and modern biological instrumentation including an ultracentrifuge, thermocyclers, and a facility for automated DNA sequencing.

Admission to the Program

The Biology program welcomes all interested Stockton students. Early declaration of a Biology major is advisable. To be assigned a biology preceptor, students should see the Center for Academic Advising or the desired preceptor and file the declaration of major (or minor) and preceptor form available from the Center for Academic Advising.

   High school students preparing for a career in biology should take at least three years of college-preparatory mathematics, three years of college-preparatory science (especially chemistry), and four years of college-preparatory English. Word processing and computer skills are helpful. A foreign language is also recommended. Beginning science students who lack adequate backgrounds may find it necessary to take basic skills courses before starting the core biology and chemistry sequences. Such students may have to complete more than the 128 required credits and study for more than four years to meet the Biology program’s degree requirements.

Graduation Requirements

For a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree, 128 total credits.

REQUIREMENTS FOR BOTH B.A. AND B.S. DEGREES
Required Program Courses (BIOL Core)
BIOL 1100 and 1105 (Organisms and Evolution, Lab)
BIOL 1200 and 1205 (Cells and Molecules, Lab)
BIOL 2110 and 2115 (Genetics, Lab)
The pass/fail option for grading is not acceptable for the above core courses; they must be taken for a letter grade of C, or better, in order to continue. A grade of C- is not acceptable.
BIOL 3600 (Preparation for Research)
BIOL 4600 (Biology Seminar)

At least one plant course.

The required plant course could include any of the following: BIOL 2020 (Intro to Plants), BIOL 2120 (Botany), MARS 2335 (Marine Plants), BIOL 3180 (Plant Physiology), BIOL 3185 (Plant Tissue Culture), ENVL 3360 (Dendrology), BIOL 3414 (Plant Ecology), BIOL 3467 (Tide Marsh Ecology).

Elective Program Courses
Upper Division Electives-At least three 4 credit courses at 3000-4000 level (not including BIOL 4800/4900). The pass/fail option for grading is not acceptable for the above courses; they must be taken for a letter grade. (Independent studies and Internships do not fulfill the Upper Division Elective requirement). Additional BIOL (and related life science) courses for a total of 32 BIOL credits (B.A.), or 40 BIOL credits (B.S.). A senior project or internship (BIOL 4800 or 4900) is recommended, but is required only for those students wishing to be considered for graduation “with distinction”.

Required Cognate Courses (Cognate Core)
CHEM 2110 and 2115 (Chemistry I Gen. Principles, Lab)
CHEM 2120 and 2125 (Chemistry II Organic Structure, Lab)

The pass/fail option for grading is not acceptable for the above courses; they must be taken for a letter grade.

Elective Cognate Courses
MATH 1100 or 2215 (Precalculus or Calculus I)

Math should be taken as early in the program as possible since it is a key tool for any scientific program and a prerequisite for BIOL 2110 (Genetics). Students pursuing a Math sequence are encouraged to complete the sequence in a timely manner to avoid erosion of skills. Students with poor Math preparation will be expected to complete BASK Math or select an appropriate lower level math with their preceptor before attempting Pre-Calculus. Students with good high school preparation are encouraged to begin with Calculus.

Physics, additional Chemistry, additional Mathematics (especially statistics), CSIS 1206, ENVL 2400, PSYC 2241 or BIOL 3105), Geology and other appropriate science courses for a total of 32 cognate credits (B.A.) or 40 cognate credits (B.S.)

   College General Studies (“G-course”) distribution requirement; see General Studies section of the Bulletin for full details: total of 32 credits

   Additional General Studies courses or program courses “at some distance” from biology (foreign language is particularly recommended) totaling 32 credits (B.A.) or 16 credits (B.S.)

College writing and quantitative reasoning requirements included in all of the above courses.

A grade of C or better is required in each core Biology course. A grade point average of 2.0 or higher is required of all BIOL and cognate courses. BIOL and cognate courses should be selected carefully with the help of a preceptor. Many ENVL and MARS courses are also BIOL courses and some social science and professional studies courses can be used as cognates, on a case-by-case basis. Some BIOL courses are offered as a service to students in other degree programs and are not acceptable towards the degree in Biology (e.g. BIOL 1180, Functional Human Anatomy). PHYS 1000 (Intro to Physical Science) will not be credited when taken in the junior or senior year.

   Biology is a broader discipline than most other sciences, leading to many elective courses in the curriculum. Therefore a preceptor’s guidance is important for bringing coherence to the selection of courses.

STUDENTS GRADUATING WITH A B.S. IN BIOLOGY MUST TAKE AT LEAST THREE COURSES FROM THE FOLLOWING LIST:

CHEM 2130/2135   Chemistry III-Organic Reactions and Lab
CHEM 2140/2145   Chemistry IV-General Principals and Lab
CHEM 3250             Biochemistry
PHYS  2110/2115   Physics for Life Sciences I and Lab
PHYS  2120/2125   Physics for Life Sciences II and Lab
or
PHYS  2220/2225   Physics I and Lab
PHYS  2230/2235   Physics II and Lab

TRACKS
Track structures are informal, intended only for general guidance in selecting a coherent set of courses. They supplement the official requirements above. At the time a track is selected, students may wish to switch preceptor to someone best able to provide guidance.

1. Pre-professional Track
   Includes prerequisites for most medical, veterinary, dental and chiropractic schools: BIOL and cognate electives should include BIOL 2150/2151 (Physiology, Lab), BIOL 3150 (Comparative Anatomy, Lab), BIOL 4960 (Pre-medical Internship), a full year each of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, MATH 2215 (Calculus I), and a year of Physics.
2. Pre-physical Therapy Track
   For students intending to apply for the graduate degree program in Physical Therapy in the sophomore year: BIOL and cognate electives must include BIOL 2150/2151 (Physiology, Lab), BIOL 2180/2185 (Human Anatomy, Lab), PSYC 1100 (Introduction to Psychology), and a year of Physics (either Life Science version or the Calculus version).
3. Graduate Degree in Physical Therapy Track
   For students accepted into the Physical Therapy program, who will also obtain a B.S. in Biology: BIOL and cognate electives must include pre-physical Therapy courses listed above plus BIOL 4150 (Advanced Physiology), BIOL 4230/4231 (Neuroscience, Lab) PHTH 4200 (Human Gross Anatomy, Lab), PHTH 4300 (Pathology), and a statistics course.
4. Biotechnology Track
   For students desiring laboratory careers in the pharmaceutical industry or perhaps graduate study in molecular biology: BIOL and cognate electives might include BIOL 3100 (Cell Biology Laboratory Methods), BIOL 3170 (Microbiology), BIOL 3180 (Plant Physiology), BIOL 3250 (Biochemistry), BIOL 4210 (Molecular Genetics), and two of the following: BIOL 3160 (Developmental Biology), BIOL 3190 (Intermediate Cell Biology), and BIOL 4200 (Immunology), BIOL 4215 (Biotechnology).
5. General/Integrative Track
   Students wishing to be “generally” prepared in biology might select courses in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology (e.g. Paleontology), Conservation Biology and various other courses about particular groups of organisms.
6. The Education (EDUC) Program
   Students seeking primary or secondary school teaching certification in Biology should consult the Director of Teacher Education for specific course requirements in Biology, General Studies and Education.

RELATED PROGRAMS AND TRACKS:
The Chemistry program offers a Biochemistry/Molecular Biology major, described in the Bulletin. Students interested in invertebrate animals, algae and other marine organisms might want to consider a Marine Science degree, also described in the Bulletin. Students interested in life at the ecosystem level of organization might pursue degrees in Environmental Studies or Marine Science. Students preparing for medicine or other health careers should read the guide to premedical and related studies in the Bulletin.

SAMPLE CURRICULUM

TRANSFER STUDENTS
It is crucial to talk immediately with a program faculty member so that decisions can be made as to the transferability of courses taken elsewhere. Transfer students may need more than 128 credits to complete program requirements.

MINOR IN BIOLOGY
Course Requirements- 20-22 credits

Introductory core:
     One year of general biology, including laboratory exercises. BIOL 1100/1105, 1200/1205 or equivalent (8-10 credits)

Corequisites:
     One semester each of inorganic and organic chemistry. CHEM 2110/2115, 2120/2125 or equivalent (credits do not count toward minor)

Intermediate core:
     Genetics, including laboratory exercises BIOL 2110/2115 (4 credits)

Biology Seminar: BIOL 4600 (0 credits)

Intermediate/advanced electives:
     any two BIOL 4-credit courses at 3000 or 4000 level other than BIOL 4800/4900 (8 credits)

The core course requirement contributes breadth and the elective component contributes depth in biology. The minor might be of interest to almost any student curious about the living world. Students for whom the minor would fit most easily include those majoring in BCMB, CHEM, ENVL, MARS, PSYC, and PUBH.

Special features: The introductory core courses must be passed with C grades or better. Residency: at least the Seminar and the two elective courses must be taken at Stockton.

Graduation with Distinction

Distinction is bestowed upon students who meet College criteria; who have completed senior projects or internships displaying initiative, critical thinking and methodological skill; who have prepared and displayed a poster suitable for a professional meeting or at a Biology Seminar session describing the work; and who are approved for distinction by a majority vote of the core Biology faculty, based on their best professional judgments. A policy statement with more details is available from Biology faculty members.

Career Opportunities

Biology program alumni report that the largest employment niche for graduates has been the research and development laboratories of pharmaceutical companies and other industries, university research labs and clinics. Graduates also find employment in other industrial and commercial niches (such as pharmaceutical sales) and in the public sector as teachers or as technicians in federal, state, or county laboratories and agencies.

   Another portion of Biology graduates proceed to professional or graduate school, and several are now faculty members at major universities. A small number opt for an additional year at Stockton, in which they obtain a second bachelor’s degree in chemistry, information and computer sciences, public health, marine science, environmental studies, visual arts, etc. Virtually all graduates report the need for frequent use of their writing and computer skills, suggesting that future graduates should take full advantage of Stockton’s writing program and opportunity for minors. Many graduates develop careers by combining their preparation in biology with expertise in computer science, library science, drawing, journalistic or creative or technical writing, environmental law, accounting, marketing, management, psychology, etc.

Special Opportunities

1.   Local internships: Mentoring is available at wildlife refuges and other public and private facilities for monitoring, rehabilitating and otherwise studying local wildlife, zoos, museums, aquariums, botanical gardens, hospitals and other healthcare practices and laboratories, nursing homes, the State Police forensic laboratory, the Federal Aviation Authority’s nearby Technical Center, pharmaceutical companies, environmental testing laboratories, etc.

2.   Washington, D.C. Internship: The College participates in a program open to all majors. Biology students have been assigned to the Walter Reed Hospital and Research Center, the Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health laboratories, etc. See Washington Internship Program in the Bulletin.

3.   Semester abroad: There is a semester- or year-abroad program, in which Biology majors have enjoyed taking classes at universities in Britain, Ireland, Australia, etc. See International Education in the Bulletin.

4.   Research: Most Stockton faculty maintain research programs involving students.

5.   Teaching Certificate: Students who combine a Biology degree with preparation for a teaching career have developed projects to introduce new teaching or laboratory instructional units as part of their practice teaching in a local school.

6.   Independent study: Students are invited to approach faculty with ideas for learning topics not included in the regular curriculum, which are then pursued by independent study or tutorial modes of instruction.

7.   Minor: The opportunity to combine a Biology degree with a minor in Chemistry, Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Mathematics, Language, Performing Arts, Economics, etc., is particularly valuable. There are also Certificate programs in Energy, Gerontology and Holocaust-Genocide Studies.

Information about the Program

Biology Program Coordinator
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
PO Box 195
Pomona, NJ 08240-0195
Phone: (609) 652-4546

Dean of Enrollment Management
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
PO Box 195
Pomona, NJ 08240-0195
Phone: (609) 652-4261