Mar 29, 2024  
2014-2015 Catalogue 
    
2014-2015 Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biological Sciences


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Biological Sciences Overview

Chairperson: Brian K. Penney

Professors: Daniel Broek, Brian K. Penney, F. Jay Pitocchelli, Donald H. Rhodes, Barry J. Wicklow; Associate Professors: Eric J. Berry, Lori LaPlante, Daniel J. Lavoie, Stephen W. Tobin, Robert C. Vallari; Assistant Professor: Elizabeth Greguske.

The Department of Biology administers four majors: Biochemistry, Biology, Environmental Science and Natural Science. In each of these majors, the curriculum is designed to: 1) explore the fundamental properties of life from the molecular to the community/ecosystem level, 2) critically evaluate life properties through rigorous application of the scientific method, and 3) incorporate this body of information into the framework of modern evolutionary theory. Laboratory and field work are important components of all four majors.

For the liberal-arts major, with a general interest in the study of living things, the introductory course (BI 101  - BI 102 ) explores the scientific way of thinking, the basic methods of science, the diversity of living things, and the relationship of the biological sciences to many of the current problems facing a modern society. In addition, “The Biosphere at Risk” (BI 205 ), an introductory environmental science course, explores environmental issues of global significance, providing a scientific basis for both understanding the causes of and developing solutions for environmental problems.

Performance requirements:

Students are required to earn a minimum of a “C” average (2.0) in General Biology BI 103  and BI 104  and in General Chemistry CH 130  and CH 131 , the traditional first year biology and chemistry courses, to continue enrollment in a biology department-administered major into the second year.

A student receiving a final letter grade below “C” in either General Biology BI 103  or General Chemistry CH 130  will be placed on probationary status in his or her respective major until meeting the performance requirements in both General Biology BI 104  and General Chemistry CH 131 . A student earning less than a “C” average (2.0) in either the General Biology (BI 103  and BI 104 ) or the General Chemistry (CH 130  and CH 131 ) course pairings will not be permitted to continue in a Biology Department administered major.

A student meeting the minimum 2.0 average after receiving a final letter grade below “C-” in any of the above-mentioned courses must repeat the course and earn a grade of “C” or better to remain in the major. The student will remain on probationary status until such courses are repeated. The repeated courses must be completed with a final grade of “C” or better by the start of the following academic year or the student will have to repeat these courses at Saint Anselm College by the end of the next academic year. In either case, these students must consult and seek permission of the Chair to remain in any of the Biology Department administered majors. It is the student’s responsibility to provide evidence of successful completion of these courses to the Chair and the Registrar at his or her earliest convenience but no later than one week prior to the first day of classes. Beyond the introductory courses, students must maintain each semester a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in their major courses (biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics) in order to continue in their respective majors.

For liberal arts students electing one of the Biology Department’s four majors, course work completed in General Biology  BI 101  and/or General Biology BI 102  may be used in lieu of the corresponding General Biology BI 103  and/or General Biology BI 104 , provided that a minimum average grade of B+ is earned in BI 101  and BI 102 . These students must consult and seek permission of the Chair prior to changing majors.

Students completing the BI 101  - BI 102  sequence but failing to earn a B+ average may also be admitted into a Biology Department major by meeting the minimum grade requirements described above for a typical major’s sequence, i.e. enrolling and successfully completing BI 103  - BI 104  and CH 130  - CH 131  with a C average or better across all four courses. These students must also take two additional electives to replace BI 101  - BI 102 , in accordance with the College’s policy on repeating courses.

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions are also available online at http://www.anselm.edu/internet/bio/course.html. A more complete description of the faculty, major programs, internships, etc. can be found at http://www.anselm.edu/internet/bio/bio.html.

Programs

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    Courses

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