May 10, 2025

2005-2006 Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog

2005-2006 Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology

Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Biology

(130 semester hours; 143 semester hours with secondary teacher licensure) Requirements are subject to change. [Also see Sports Biology Major]

The biology major offers diverse exposure to the key areas of study in the life sciences. Undergraduate study may lead to acceptance to graduate schools, including schools of medicine and dentistry; careers in laboratory sciences in hospitals, government, or industry; and teacher licensure. Students who want to enter medical or dental school are advised by an interdepartmental preprofessional committee.

Biology majors may also opt to seek licensure as a teacher of biology at the secondary level. Students seeking licensure must complete all requirements for the major, plus the secondary education professional preparation requirements. For more information about the biology major, contact Dr. Joseph Berger of the Chemistry/Biology Department at (413) 748-3337 or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

Download a Biology Program Checksheet

CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

I. General Education Program (37 s.h. in addition to courses taken for the major)

To integrate the humanics philosophy into their lives, Springfield College students engage in the search for knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of values through a variety of courses in the sciences and humanities. In addition to those General Education courses, students must complete 6 s.h. of Writing-Across-the-Curriculum (WAC) courses. For more information see the General Education Program and WAC courses. In the major requirements listed below, selected courses which fulfill General Education categories are marked with an asterisk; selected WAC courses are marked with a “W”.

II. Major Requirements (32 s.h.)

BIOL 121* - Bioscience I Credits: 3 s.h
BIOL 122 - Bioscience II Credits: 3 s.h
BIOL 123* - Bioscience I Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h
BIOL 124 - Bioscience II Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h.
CHEM 121* - General Chemistry I Credits: 3 s.h
CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II Credits: 3 s.h
CHEM 123* - General Chemistry I Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h.
CHEM 124 - General Chemistry II Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h
CHEM 221 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 3 s.h
CHEM 222 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: 3 s.h
CHEM 223 - Organic Chemistry I Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h
CHEM 224 - Organic Chemistry II Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h
PHYS 210* - General Physics I Credits: 4 s.h
PHYS 211* - General Physics II Credits: 4 s.h

Select two of the following:

MATH 125* - Precalculus Mathematics Credits: 3 s.h.
MATH 131* - Introduction to Calculus with Applications Credits: 3 s.h.
MATH 140* - Calculus I Credits: 3 s.h
MATH 142* - Calculus II Credits: 3 s.h
MATH 215* - Probability and Statistics Credits: 3 s.h

All Biology Majors are required to select a concentration:

Comprehensive Biology Concentration:

BIOL 250 - Human Structure and Function I Credits: 3 s.h
BIOL 251 - Human Structure and Function II Credits: 3 s.h
BIOL 252 - Human Structure and Function I Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h
BIOL 253 - Human Structure and Function II Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h
BIOL 270 - Plant Biology Credits: 3 s.h.
BIOL 271 - Plant Biology Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h
BIOL 280W - Genetics Credits: 3 s.h
BIOL 281 - Genetics Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h
and
Three additional courses and labs totaling 12 s.h. from selective group A, B, C or D

Cell/Molecular Biology Concentration:

BIOL 280W - Genetics Credits: 3 s.h
BIOL 281 - Genetics Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h
BIOL 315 - General Microbiology Credits: 3 s.h
BIOL 317 - Microbiology I Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h
BIOL 408 - Cell and Molecular Biology Credits: 3 s.h.
BIOL 409 - Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h
BIOL 420W - Cellular Physiology Credits: 3 s.h.
BIOL 421 - Cellular Physiology Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h
and
Three additional courses and labs totaling 12 s.h. from selective group B, C or D

Biochemistry Concentration:

CHEM 331 - Biological Chemistry Credits: 3 s.h
CHEM 341W - Analytical Chemistry Credits: 2 s.h
CHEM 342W - Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 2 s.h
CHEM 351 - Physical Chemistry with Biological Applications Credits: 3 s.h.
CHEM 352 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h
and

Two additional courses and labs from selective group A and two additional courses and labs from selective group A, B, or C totaling 16 s.h.

Environmental Concentration:

BIOL 260*W - General Ecology Credits: 3 s.h.
BIOL 261 - General Ecology Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h
BIOL 315 - General Microbiology Credits: 3 s.h
BIOL 317 - Microbiology I Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h
and

Five additional courses and labs totaling 20 s.h. from selective group C

III. Biology Selectives

Make selective course choices from the following:

E. Other Electives

Depending on the concentration chosen, the Biology major (non-teacher licensure) requires 20-31 s.h. of electives to complete 130 s.h.

BIOL 370 - Instrumentation and Methodology Credits: 2 s.h.
BIOL 371 - Instrumentation and Methodology Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h
or
RSCH 141 - Guided Individual Study Credits: 2-6 s.h

IV. Program Standards

All biology majors must earn a grade of C- or better in all courses required for the major, including selectives.

V. Optional Secondary Teacher Licensure Program (37 s.h.)

Biology majors may elect to seek licensure as a teacher of biology at the secondary level (grades 5–8 and or 8–12). Advisement is provided by a member of the Chemistry/Biology Department and a member of the Education Department. Students seeking licensure should begin their program upon their admission to the College, but in order to be considered teacher candidates and to complete the professional preparation requirements, they must apply for official admission to the teacher preparation program and be accepted. Application to the teacher preparation program typically occurs prior to the junior year. More information about requirements for admittance to the teacher preparation program can be found in the Secondary Teacher Licensure Program section. Biology majors seeking licensure should consult with their academic advisors regarding selectives needed for preparation for licensure exams. Biology majors seeking licensure must complete all requirements for the major plus the additional requirements listed below.

Secondary Teacher Preparation Requirements (37 s.h.)

EDUC 100 - Introduction to Education Credits: 2 s.h
EDUC 234 - Curriculum, Methods, and Organization for Secondary Teachers Credits: 3 s.h
EDUC 237*W - Foundations of Multicultural Education Credits: 3 s.h
EDUC 318 - Tutorial Pre-Practicum Credits: 3 s.h
EDUC 364 - Pre-Practicum-Teaching and Special Issues in Secondary Education Credits: 3 s.h
EDUC 463 - Practicum Seminar Credits: 2 s.h
EDUC 471 - Learning, Teaching, and Technology Credits: 3 s.h
PSYC 250W - Childhood and Adolescent Development Credits: 3 s.h

In addition, select a total of 14 s.h. from:

EDUC 464 - Middle School Practicum Credits: 5-10 s.h
EDUC 465 - High School Practicum Credits: 5-10 s.h

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