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Biological Sciences

Career and Academic Paths | Academic Advising | Major Programs | Minor Program | Honors Program | M.S. in Applied Molecular Biology | Part-time Option | Special Opportunities | Biological Sciences Tutorial Center | Student Organizations |

Faculty

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Chair

Lasse Lindahl

Professors

Thomas Cronin
Phillip J. Farabaugh
Phyllis R. Robinson
Suzanne O. Rosenberg
G. Rickey Welch
Richard E. Wolf, Jr.

Associate Professors

Charles J. Bieberich
Daphne Blumberg
Mauricio M. Bustos
Nessly C. Craig
David M. Eisenmann
Stephen J. Freeland
Jeffery W. Leips
Patricia McGraw
Stephen M. Miller
Kevin Omland
Harold V. Schreier
Teresa Viancour

Assistant Professors

Rachel Brewster
Ivan Erill
Maricel Kann
Weinhong Lin
Hua Lu
Tamra Mendelson

Senior Research Scientist

Janice Zengel

Adjunct Professor

Paul Behrens

Senior Lecturers

Esther Fleischmann
Bryan MacKay
James W. Sandoz
Julia B. Wolf

Lecturers/Instructors

Steven Caruso
Lark Claassen
Reagan Lake

Professor Emeritus

Michael Bradley
Robert Burchard
Frank Hanson
Paul Lovett
Thomas F. Roth

Associate Professor Emeritus

Richard Gethmann
John Kloetzel
Austin Platt

Courses in this program are listed under BIOL.

The Department of Biological Sciences Web site is www.umbc.edu/biosci

The department's undergraduate curriculum provides a comprehensive and current overview of biology. The required core of courses is complemented by a series of laboratories and supplemented with a variety of electives in areas representing the scholarly interests of a diverse faculty. Students also have the opportunity to engage in independent research in the lab, the field, the library or off-campus, working one-on-one with a faculty mentor.

The Department of Biological Sciences is currently conducting a review of its undergraduate programs. Students should be aware that changes to the biological sciences curriculum and course offerings may go into effect as early as fall 2009.

Students are encouraged to consult the biological sciences department's publications (including the departmental Web site, www.umbc.edu/biosci) in order to obtain up-to-date information on major requirements and course offerings.

Two degrees are offered. The B.S. is most appropriate for students planning to pursue graduate study in the life sciences or in health fields and for those planning to work in a technical or laboratory research setting. The B.S. curriculum consists of 69-71 credits in the modern biological and related sciences (chemistry, physics and mathematics).

The B.A. is designed for students seeking to combine another area of study such as education or scientific writing with a solid background in biology. The B.A. curriculum requires fewer credits at the upper level and in the related sciences (54-55 credits in total). These core courses in the sciences must be complemented, for those students desiring the B.A., by sufficient course work in an area outside the sciences to qualify for a minor in that field. The B.A., thus, offers students flexibility in designing a program of courses to supplement their specific interests in biology.

For students seeking a specialized grouping of biological sciences courses with others that do not qualify as a minor, the Interdisciplinary Studies Program offers an alternative route.

In addition to these undergraduate major programs, the biological sciences curriculum offers courses of cultural value as part of a liberal education, some intended specifically for non-science majors.

Finally, several courses are designed for students pursuing the pre-allied health fields (such as nursing or physical therapy).

Career and Academic Paths

An undergraduate degree in biological sciences from UMBC provides students with an excellent background for employment in industry or government; for a career in secondary education; for graduate studies in the areas of biology, biochemistry or molecular biology and for professional schools in medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine.

Most graduate and professional schools require a minimum of two years of chemistry. Therefore, students choosing the B.A.
option may need to supplement their undergraduate training with the second semester of organic chemistry (both lecture and lab). For specific requirements, students should consult either the graduate catalog of the institution they are interested in attending or the appropriate preprofessional studies section of the undergraduate catalog.

UMBC biology graduates have been employed by such industrial companies as American Cyanamid, Fischer Scientific, Merck, Martek and BD Biosciences, and by various government agencies such as NIH, NCI, EPA, USDA, FDA and the National Aquarium.

Biological sciences graduates have been accepted by graduate programs in such schools as the University of Pennsylvania; The Johns Hopkins University; University of California, San Diego; Case Western Reserve; Rochester; Stanford, University of Virginia; Duke; University of Maryland, Baltimore and University of Maryland, College Park.

Graduates also have been accepted by more than 60 professional schools, including University of Maryland, Baltimore; The Johns Hopkins University; University of Virginia; Harvard; Duke; Columbia; University of Pennsylvania; Penn State, Pittsburgh; University of California, San Francisco; Howard; Uniformed Services; George Washington; Georgetown; Jefferson; Medical College of Pennsylvania; Medical College of Virginia; Stanford, SUNY; and Meharry.

Academic Advising

First-time students with freshman standing and select upper-class students will be advised by the department’s full-time academic advisor. Subsequently, they will be
assigned to one of the full-time faculty for advising. Students are required to see their advisors at least once each semester. Academic progress is monitored through graduation.

Major Programs

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

The B.S. curriculum consists of 69-71 credits distributed as follows:

A. Biology [35-39]

BIOL 100
Concepts of Biology
BIOL 100L
Concepts of Biology Laboratory
BIOL 301
Ecology and Evolution
BIOL 302
Molecular and General Genetics
BIOL 302L
Molecular and General Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 303
Cell Biology
BIOL 303L
Cell Biology Laboratory
BIOL 304
Plant Biology
BIOL 305
Comparative Animal Physiology

BIOL 304L
Plant Biology Laboratory
OR
BIOL 305L
Comparative Animal Physiology Laboratory

BIOL 442
Developmental Biology
BIOL 4XX
Four credits of BIOL electives at the 400 level (except BIOL 422L, 495, 497H, 499 or 499H), taken in residence at UMBC.

B. Chemistry [14-19]*

CHEM 101
Principles of Chemistry I
CHEM 102
Principles of Chemistry II
CHEM 102L
Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 351
Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 351L
Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 352*
Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 352L*
Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
*    Students may take a second, four-credit, 400-level BIOL elective as a substitute for the combined requirement of Organic Chemistry II lecture and lab. (BIOL 495, 497H, 499 and 499H are not acceptable.)

C. Physics [8]

PHYS 111
Basic Physics I
PHYS 112
Basic Physics II
D. Mathematics [8]
MATH 151
Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
STAT 350
Statistics With Applications in the Biological Sciences

Evaluation of student performance is separate for lecture and laboratory courses. Students planning to complete the B.S. or B.A. major in biology should begin a first course in chemistry during the first semester of the freshman year. The mathematics sequence also should be started as soon as possible.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

The B.A. curriculum consists of at least 54-55 credits in natural sciences and mathematics, coupled with sufficient credits in another (non-contiguous) area of concentration to earn a minor in that area. The experimental sciences of chemistry and physics are defined here as contiguous areas; minors in these areas are not applicable toward the requirements for a B.A. in Biological Sciences. Any other university minor program published as such in the Undergraduate Catalog will be acceptable toward the non-contiguous minor requirement. Certain approved programs of professional certification (currently education or administrative sciences) can be substituted for the minor requirement. A list of acceptable minors and professional certificate programs can be obtained from the biological sciences department.

The natural sciences and mathematics will be distributed as follows:

A. Biology [31-32]

BIOL 100
Concepts of Biology
BIOL 100L
Concepts of Biology Laboratory
BIOL 301
Ecology and Evolution
BIOL 302
Molecular and General Genetics
BIOL 302L
Molecular and General Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 303
Cell Biology
BIOL 303L
Cell Biology Laboratory
BIOL 304
Plant Biology
BIOL 305
Comparative Animal Physiology

BIOL 304L
Plant Biology Laboratory
OR
BIOL 305L
Comparative Animal Physiology Laboratory

BIOL 4XX
Three-four credits of BIOL electives at the 400 level
 (EXCEPT BIOL 422L, 495, 497H, 499 and 499H),
 taken in residence at UMBC.

B. Chemistry [14-19]

CHEM 101
Principles of Chemistry I
CHEM 102
Principles of Chemistry II
CHEM 102L
Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 351
Organic Chemistry I

C. Physics [8]

PHYS 111
Basic Physics I
PHYS 112
Basic Physics II

D. Mathematics [4]

STAT 350
Statistics With Applications in the Biological Sciences
OR
STAT 351
Applied Statistics for Business and Economics

B.S. and B.A. Requirements

A majority of the required biology courses must be completed in residence at UMBC. In fulfilling major requirements in the biological sciences, a student must obtain a grade of “C” or higher in all required biology (BIOL XXX) courses and in CHEM 352 and 352L, if they are used to fulfill major requirements for the B.S. In addition, an overall “C” average or better in all required science/math courses must be achieved for graduation with a degree in Biological Sciences. Under certain circumstances and after petitioning, students may be able to graduate with a grade of “D” in a single biology course, provided that they have an overall “C” average in all required biology (BIOL XXX) courses upon approval of the Undergraduate Committee of the Department of Biological Sciences.

Prerequisites and corequisites for all BIOL courses will be enforced. Prerequisites in all biology courses must be satisfied with a grade of “C” or better.

Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all required biology courses. In addition, for the purpose of satisfying the requirements for the B.S. in Biological Sciences, students will be allowed only two attempts to earn a grade of “C” or better in all required biology (BIOL XXX) courses. Students who have not earned a grade of “C” or better (including a grade of “W”) after two attempts will no longer be eligible for the B.S. in Biological Sciences, and must either enter the B.A. in Biological Sciences, or change their major.

The department will adhere to university policies that limit to two the number of times a student may register for the same course. In addition, no student will be allowed to take any biology course exams or participate in any biology lab activities unless they are officially enrolled by the end of the schedule adjustment period.

New freshmen who have Advanced Placement (AP) credit in biology may be exempted from taking BIOL 100 and 100L (see Appendix).

CHEM 352 and 352L are recommended for health professional students and students anticipating graduate studies in the biological sciences.

Note: A maximum of six credits may be taken from the combination of BIOL 398, 399, 499 and 499H and CHEM 399 and 499.

Minor Program

The minor in biological sciences shall consist of 19 credits distributed as follows:

BIOL 100
Concepts of Biology
BIOL 100L
Concepts of Biology Laboratory
BIOL 301
Ecology and Evolution
BIOL 302*
Molecular and General Genetics
*    CHEM 101 or 123 is a prerequisite, and CHEM 102 or 124 is a corequisite for BIOL 302)

In addition, the minor requires at least six credits of BIOL electives to include at least one two- to four-credit course at the 300 or 400 level. A majority of courses offered toward the minor must be completed in residence at UMBC. A minimum of nine credits of upper-level BIOL courses is required. At least two of the courses applied to the minor cannot be included as part of the courses satisfying the requirements of any other major. BIOL 398, 399, 422L, 495, 497H, 499, and 499H may not be used to fulfill requirements for the minor. A grade of “C” or better must be earned in all courses and prerequisites applied toward the minor. A course taken on a P/F basis will not count toward the minor.

Honors Program

After satisfying certain requirements, students become eligible for the departmental honors program.

This program, in addition to the regular B.S. or B.A. requirements, includes the following nine credits of coursework:

BIOL 499H
Honors Independent Research
(two semesters for a minimum total of six credits)
AND
BIOL 497H
Honors Capstone [3]
(one semester)

Biological sciences majors who have completed the following requirements will be eligible to enter the departmental honors program. The following courses, or acceptable transfer equivalents thereof, will have been completed with a cumulative GPA of 3.5: BIOL 100, 100L, 302, 302L, 303, 303L, CHEM 101, 102, 102L, 351, 351L, MATH 151 and STAT 350. Additionally, the student must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major and 3.25 overall.

Eligible students should apply to the departmental Honors Committee. Forms are available in the biological sciences department.

M.S. in Applied Molecular Biology

Students interested in the one year master’s degree program in Applied Molecular Biology (AMB) will be considered for admission to the program on a competitive basis. Students can use up to two courses from their undergraduate degree and, in so doing, save money and reduce their graduate course work. Students should consult with the director of the Applied Molecular Biology Program for advisement as to which courses will be appropriate for both degrees. Application for admission should be submitted in the final semester of the senior year. For more information, see the AMB Web site www.umbc.edu/biosci/grad/amb.php

Part-time Option

Evening courses are not usually offered, and only some of the courses required for the B.S. and B.A. majors are routinely offered in the summer. Thus the majors may be completed on a part-time basis, but will require a significant amount of coursework during the regular daytime fall and spring semesters.

Special Opportunities

Talented upper-class
undergraduates committed to performing quality independent research are encouraged to apply for a variety of biological research opportunities offered by UMBC’s outstanding faculty. Under the guidance of faculty mentors, student research assistants work on their own lab research projects and help their mentors with important research. These unique, intensive experiences allow students to sharpen their critical thinking skills, learn how to write and read scientific papers, and expand their scientific understanding of biological concepts.

Undergraduate lab experience increasingly is becoming a prerequisite for science-based employment or acceptance to graduate, professional or medical school. Graduates of the biological sciences program who do not enter science will find that long-term lab experiences show dedication and analytical competence-qualities that any potential employer is likely to find attractive.

Biological Sciences Tutorial Center

Biological sciences students are invited to use the facilities of the Biological Sciences Tutorial Center, located in room 011 of the Biological Sciences Building. The center has twelve computer workstations for student use and two work stations for faculty. The center is open for students to study in groups and to access course Web pages and other information on the Web. Tutors are available for all of the core courses (Concepts of Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Molecular and General Genetics, Cell Biology, Plant Biology and Animal Physiology).

Student Organizations

Biology Council of Majors (BIO/COM)

All biological sciences, bioinformatics and computational biology, and biochemistry and molecular biology majors are welcome to join the Biology Council of Majors (BIO/COM). This very active student organization strives to “promote the achievement of the professional ambitions of its members and to serve as a means of social contact among them.”

There are also on-campus clubs for students pursuing various health-related professions.