Biology

A Major and Minor

Biology is the study of life forms, including their structure (anatomy), the dynamic processes (physiology), their communities (ecology), their chemical structure (biochemistry and molecular biology), the organization and history of the tree of life (taxonomy and evolution), their reproduction (genetics), and their interactions (behavior). The study of biology is essential for understanding the living world, for the protection of threatened life forms throughout the ecosphere, and for management and control of pathogens and parasites. The study of biology provides a foundation for careers in the biomedical, health care, agricultural, food science, biotechnology, bioengineering, and biophysics professional disciplines.

The Biology Major at Bryant University enables students to take advantage of a challenging and rewarding program, comprising Level I courses in the fields of biology, physics, and chemistry, Level II courses in applied biology, biochemistry, and biophysics, combined with two semesters of required laboratory research experience, and rounded off by a level III capstone course focused on new research in biology, providing for thoughtful consideration of complex biological issues that face modern society.  

The Biology Minor provides students with a core understanding of biological principles, a basic foundation in chemistry, exposure to various bioscience specialties (anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, biotechnology, microbiology, and evolution), an awareness of the issues and challenges facing biologists in today's complex environments, and a capstone course focused on major research issues in biology. Five courses are required, with the opportunity to pursue a research interest if desired.

Studying Biology at Bryant

We believe in the adage, "I hear, I see, I understand, and I will take action."  This approach will help make Bryant an "institution of choice" for biology by providing the student with a meaningful and purposeful education, one where they can also obtain a competitive edge that leads to a chosen career, graduate school, or professional employment.  Our program is designed with that in mind. 

This program is aimed at students who are passionate about biology, enjoy science, math, and computers, and like solving problems.  They should be interested in applying scientific principles in societal decision making.  These students also will typically enjoy...

• addressing complexity by looking thoroughly at every aspect of an issue to come up with creative and original solutions;
• possessing the ability to combine ideas from many fields;
• getting hands-on research experience;
• being comfortable working as part of a team;
• having good speaking and writing skills;
• conducting applied research.

The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology provides students with a basic understanding of the breadth of the biological sciences, the development of hand-on laboratory skills, and opportunities for a structured laboratory or field research project. The program is designed to meet the science requirements for admission to medical, dental, and other professional schools specializing in the health and biomedical sciences, as well as preparing students for application to graduate advanced degrees in a variety of research-oriented biological specialties. 

The Biology major provides opportunities to prepare for careers in the health sciences, biomedical applications, physical therapy biotechnology, pharmaceutical, environmental biology, food science, and industrial research. For students interest in applying for medical schools or other biomedical programs, we have prepared Pre-Med Advising Guidelines that will assist students in aligning their courses and prerequisites appropriately. 

In addition to well-designed and expertly taught courses in biology, chemistry, physics, biotechnology, and mathematics, Bryant Biology Major will provide an extraordinary opportunity to focus on the study of the biological sciences through the combination of a flexible curriculum allowing students to pursue a specialty area of interest, a required undergraduate research experience, exposure to business principles, an emphasis on biotechnology, internship opportunities and an international focus. The program is designed for an enrollment limit of 100 students, so that our emphasis on undergraduate research and dedicated faculty advising can be effectively delivered in small classes. In this way we can guarantee the high quality of the program. 

Courses

In addition to the Bachelor of Science degree requirement, students in the Biology major will take the following:

Level I Courses (All required):

• General Biology and Lab 
• General Chemistry and Lab
• Physics
• Ecology
• Introduction to Biotechnology
• One of the following labs:
  • Physics Lab
  • Ecology Lab
  • Biotechnology Lab

Level II Courses

Choose three courses that include one lecture/lab course and one 400-level course from the following:

• Nutrition
• Human Sexuality
• Plant Diversity in Ancient and Modern Environments
• Nobel Prize in Biological science
• Coastal Environments
• Biochemistry
• Environmental Study in China
• Special Topics: Plant Biology
• Honors: Application of Brain Science
• Biotechnology Seminar
• Foundations in Pharmaceutical Science
• Immunology
• Systems Modeling
• Anatomy and Physiology and Lab
• Genetics and Lab
• Organic Chemistry and Lab
• Microbiology and Lab

Level III Courses (All required)

Reseach

• Research Methods Directed Study in Science
• Research Directed Study in Science

Capstone Course

• Issues in Biological Science

Students in the Biology Minor will take the following:

Level I (All required)

• General Biology and Lab
• General Chemistry and Lab

Level II

Choose two intermediate courses (one with a lab) 

• Ecology and Lab
• Nutrition
• Introduction to Biotechnology and Lab
• Human Sexuality
• Special Topics: Plant Biology
• Anatomy and Physiology and Lab
• Diversity and Evolution of Plants
• Nobel Prize Research in Biology
• Genetics and Lab
• Organic Chemistry and Lab
• Environmental Study in China
• Microbiology and Lab
• Honors: Application of Brain Science
• Systems Modeling
• Foundations of Pharmaceutical Science

Level III (Required)

Capstone Course 

• Issues in Biological Science

Note: Students interested in preparing for medical school and other biomedical professional careers will be provided with a list of recommended course sequences appropriate for application to those graduate programs.

For complete course descriptions, please refer to the course catalog.

Opportunities After Graduation

The Biology programs will qualify a student for a variety of exciting and growing fields related to the biomedical, biotechnology, biodiversity management, and public health professional disciplines, and will address the growing need for professional graduates trained in the biological sciences.

• Biotech and Pharmaceutical Innovation - Competitive Business Advantage. The Biology Major and Minor address the rising importance of health care issues and the expansion of career opportunities in this field. For instance, more and more businesses are moving forward to address global health issues such as malaria, HIV, cancer, and malnutrition, and students who have a strong foundation of business principles and an understanding of entrepreneurial innovation that results in solutions will have a distinct advantage.
• Forestry Management (carbon off-setting) and Biofuel Development. The biology programs will prepare students to compete in the rapidly developing fields of renewable energy development and carbon sequestration, through commercial production of algae, or large-scale reforestation. A deep understanding of the carbon cycle and its connections to energy needs will permit graduates to move into careers where these processes are commercialized as part of society's response to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane levels.
• Growing Awareness of Natural Resource Protection Needs. Biology majors will have the opportunity to work for the many organizations, both private and public, designed to protect natural resources and develop programs for threatened and endangered species. There is constantly high demand for biology majors whose training includes evaluating natural systems and protecting them from the effects of human impact. With our increasing population and standard of living, along with the need for improved public health and safety, the demand for trained professionals for all biological fields will also increase.

The Biology program is designed--through projects, research, and internship participation--to offer speciality areas of study in preparation for the following professional areas:

• natural resources management
• conservation and natural resource protection
•  agriculture and food science
• landscaping and gardening professions
• biofuel technology
• fishery science
• toxicology
• forestry and wetlands management
• biotechnology
• medical and dental sciences 
• allied health professions
• microbiology
• veterinary sciences
• biophysics
• bioremediation
• endangered species planning
• food quality assessment
• water quality assurance
• public health and safety
• nutrition specialists
• international health issues

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2008-2009 edition), employment of biological scientists was projected to grown by 9 percent over the decade of 2006 -2016...as biotechnological research and development continues, along with efforts to discover new and improved ways to clean up and preserve the environment, to reduce toxicological impacts, and to develop new and safer ways to expand crop yields. Some biological scientists will find opportunities in environmental regulatory agencies, while others will use their expertise to advise lawmakers on legislation to preserve biodiversity and save environmentally sensitive areas. New industrial applications of biotechnology, such as new methods for making ethanol for transportation fuel, also will spur demand for biological scientists.

Graduate school in a number of fields is possible, including traditional fields such as biology, biochemistry, and microbiology, s well s the growing number of graduate programs in biotechnology and bioengineering.  Biomedical careers, including medical school, nursing programs, dental school, pharmacy programs, or veterinary training would also be possible choices. Students can also continue in non-science careers where their science degrees are strong assets, such as public health policy or bioethical practices.

For More Information

To learn more about the Biology Major and Minor, please contact:

Gaytha A. Langlois, Ph.D
Chair, Department of Science & Technology
langlois@bryant.edu

or

Kirsten Antonelli, Ph.D
Assistant Professor, Department of Science & Technology
kantonel@bryant.edu