The overall mission of the department is to provide students with a solid and rigorous foundation in biology, emphasizing a balance between the molecular/cellular and organisms/population areas of the field. While attempting to find order in life through comparisons and classifications, the biologist looks at the underlying principles involved in energy transformation, evolutionary mechanisms and regulatory forces. How is each individual unique and how does it function as part of a larger population in a community of different species? In the broadest sense, biologists take a worldview of living organisms and their roles in the global ecosystem.
Towards this end, it is imperative that students be subjected to scientific diversity and realizes the far-reaching implications of this field of study. It is equally critical for students to develop strong communication and presentation skills if they are to succeed. Therefore, the Biology program provides students exposure to many specific areas of study that can subsequently enable them to pursue an unlimited number of vocational directions. Moreover, the Biology curriculum is designed to cultivate effective communication and presentation skills.
Goals:
1) Acquire a knowledge of the nature of science in general and Biology in particular to pursue careers in Biology and graduate/professions school.
2) Acquire a knowledge and proficiency in experimental procedures and techniques suitable for careers in industry or graduate school.
3) Acquire an introduction to the theories, methodologies and the philosophy of science and Biology in particular.
4) Develop critical thinking skills which meet or exceed the skills possessed by graduates of comparable academic institutions.
5) Creatively ask biological questions, design and conduct research experiments and communicate clearly these results.
Requirements for Graduation:
To be eligible for graduation, students majoring in Biology must complete a minimum of 120 credits, achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in all Biology courses, satisfy the College’s residency requirements, and complete the General Education Requirements of the College. A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for First Year Seminar and all courses taken as part of Foundations. Courses used to complete General Education Requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.
The General Education Requirements of the college require students to successfully complete First Year Seminar, Foundations, Disciplinary Perspectives, and a Constellation. Students who enter the college with 30 credit hours completed will not take a First Year Seminar course and therefore must take an additional 3 credits for graduation. Transfer students that are awarded 60 or more credits upon acceptance to York College will not be required to complete a Constellation.
Students transferring into Biology must complete at least four Biology courses at York College in order to graduate as a Biology major. Acceptable courses are determined by the major advisor and the Department Chair.
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