2015-2016 Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Biological Sciences
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 Return to: Programs by Area: Majors and Minors
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 Professors: Elizabeth Greguske, William Ryerson.
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 biology, Exploring the Natural World (BI 101 ) and Topics in General Biology (BI 102 ) offer opportunities to learn about how biologists use the scientific method to investigate questions about the living world, the diversity of life, and the relationship of discoveries in the biological sciences to 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.
Students interested in careers in life science secondary education should see details under the Natural Science major.
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 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.
Liberal arts students wishing to join one of the department’s four majors must first complete the equivalent of the General Biology 103-104 sequence. For these students, work completed in Exploring the Natural World (BI 101 ) or Topics in General Biology (BI 102 ) may be used in lieu of the corresponding semester of General Biology I (BI 103 ) or General Biology II (BI 104 ), provided that a minimum average grade of B+ is earned in BI101 or BI102. These students must consult and seek permission of the Chair prior to changing majors.
Students completing BI 101 or BI 102 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 one additional elective to replace BI 101 or 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/Academics/Majors-and-Departments/Biology/Majors-and-Courses/Course-Descriptions.htm. A more complete description of the faculty, major programs, internships, etc. can be found at http://www.anselm.edu/Academics/Majors-and-Departments/Biology.htm
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