Biology, B.S.

Requirements

Specialization: General Biology: The specialization in General Biology allows the most flexibility within the Biology BS degree. This pathway is appropriate for those who wish to take a broad approach to their biological education, for students who are interested in multiple areas of biology and would like to keep their post-graduate educational and career options open, and for students who want to customize their degree to have a focus that is not offered in the other specializations. Core requirements are the same for all Biology specializations, but the selection of Biology electives is unrestricted in the General Biology Specialization.

Biology Core

General Biology

Biology core, plus 12-17 credits of any other 200-level or higher BIO or BMS courses (except for BIO 211). Please note that upper-level BMS courses require BMS 201, which can count as an elective in the general biology major. Other electives may be approved at the discretion of the department chair.

Related Requirements

And one of the following:

Ecology, Biodiversity, and Evolutionary Biology Specialization

A minor is not required for this major.

The Ecology, Biodiversity, and Evolutionary Biology specialization emphasizes ecological and evolutionary processes integrated with study of organismal diversity. Students will develop an understanding of the processes that influence relationships among organisms and interactions with their environments through selected courses and individual research projects. This program will prepare students for careers with government agencies (e.g., conservation, fisheries, wildlife management, forestry), nongovernmental organizations, environmmental education groups, and the environmental industry. In addition, students will be prepared for graduate studies in fields such as ecology, evolution, animal behavior, natural resources management, or marine and aquatic biology.

Biology core, plus 12-17 credits as follows:

One of the following:

And one of the following:

And any advanced courses in the E/B/E Group

E/B/E Group:

Related Requirements

And one of the following:

Environmental Science Specialization (32 total credits in biology required)

A minor is not required for this major.

The Environmental Science specialization offers students a strong biology core curriculum and added multidisciplinary strengths in environmental science. The program provides students with a foundation in organismal biology, ecology, environmental chemistry, earth science, and environmental management in order to give an understanding of environmental issues from a multidisciplinary perspective. The program has particular strengths in plant and animal organismal biology and aquatic (freshwater and estuarine) ecology. The specialization prepares students for careers in environmental science and natural resource management with government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the environmental industry, or for graduate studies in these areas.

Biology core, plus 12-17 credits as follows:

One course in environmental management.

One of the following:

One course in organismal biology.

One of the following:

One course in physiology.

One of the following:

One course in ecology.

Related Requirements

Human Biology Specialization

A minor is not required for this major.

The Human Biology specialization is designed for students who want to focus their biological studies on the structure and function of the human body. In addition to basic coursework focused on anatomy and physiology, there are specialized courses that deal with such topics as reproduction, neurobiology, endocrinology, genetics, embryology, nutrition, and metabolism. Several courses within the specialization also address the causes and vectors of disease.

Biology core, plus:

Human Biology group electives (as needed to reach the 32 credit minimum in the major):

Related Requirements (27-30 credits)

Wildlife and Conservation Biology Specialization

A minor is not required for this major.

The B.S. specialization in Wildlife and Conservation Biology will prepare students for careers with state and federal agencies and non-profit organizations. Coursework will develop quantitative skills and emphasize oral and written communication. Coursework will build the necessary background for future careers supplemented by practical hands-on experience through internships and independent projects. Graduates of this program will be able to apply for certification as Associate Wildlife Biologists with the Wildlife Society, have sufficient preparation for graduate school, and be qualified for entry level positions as ecologists, wildlife biologists, and natural resource specialists.

General Education

Study Area I. Arts and Humanities (9 credits)

Study Area II. Social Sciences (9 credits)

Study Area III. Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)

Study Area IV. Natural Sciences (6-7 credits)

Fulfilled by two semesters of majors biology or related science courses.

Skill Area I. Communication Skills (6 credits)

Skill Area II. Mathematics (6 credits)

Skill Area III. Foreign Language Proficiency

Skill Area IV. University Requirement (2 credits)

International Requirement (6 credits)

Equity, Justine and Inclusion Requirement (3 credits)

Major Requirements (39 credits)

Electives (8 credits)

One of the following:

One of the following:

Related Requirements (28 credits)

Accelerate Central B.S./M.S. in Biological Sciences

Eligibility

Full time students may complete a B.S. and M.S. in Biological Sciences in as few as five years. Eligible students can apply for admission to the Accelerate Central B.S. / M.S. Program in Biological Sciences during the spring of their junior year of study once they have completed 60 credits. Students accepted into the Accelerate Central program, may use up to 8 credits of graduate courses to replace up to 8 credits in the B.S. Biology. In addition, up to 8 credits of graduate courses may be taken before matriculation as a graduate student; these 8 credits will be excluded from the student’s B.S. program and transferred into the student’s M.S. program.

To apply, students must:

· Have at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average overall or for the most recent 60 credit hours of completed study.

· Have completed 60 earned credit hours by the end of the fall semester of their junior year of which at least 12 credit hours must be completed at CCSU.

· Have completed BIO 200 with a B or higher.

Students who are accepted into Accelerate Central B.S. / M.S. Program in Biological Sciences will officially matriculate into the School of Graduate Studies the semester immediately following conferral of their bachelor’s degree, even if they have already taken graduate-level courses while completing their bachelor’s degree. Students wishing to defer their graduate studies must notify Graduate Admissions of this decision prior to the start of the term following the conferral of their bachelor’s degree.

How to Apply

Students will submit Change of Major form and a personal statement (about 500 words) describing their academic and career goals, and reasons for pursuing a M.S. in Biological Sciences to their undergraduate advisor by February 15th. The documents will be reviewed by the Department of Biology Graduate Studies Committee and an interview with the student will be scheduled. During the interview, the Committee will discuss courses and the specialization that best match the student’s goals and interests. Once the paperwork has been approved by all required parties, including the Graduate Program Director, the Registrar’s Office will change the student’s undergraduate curriculum to note the Accelerate Central program.

Note: After acceptance, students must maintain a 3.00 cumulative grade point average to remain in the Accelerate Central program.