You are here
Home ›Biological Science
The biological science program prepares graduates to function in various scientific laboratories or to continue their education in a number of science or pre-professional fields. The program provides a foundation in biology, chemistry, and mathematics as well as a common core of general studies in English and social sciences. Biological science is a flexible program that can be tailored to fit the educational requirements of a variety of laboratory-related occupations.
Required: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2/Trigonometry (Math A and B), Biology, Chemistry
Technical Standards:
Students must possess fine motor skills which allow them to focus a microscope with fine adjustment and use forceps.
- Flexible program focusing on the laboratory sciences
- Prepares graduates to function as technicians in various science laboratories
- Transfer into a variety of sciencerelated baccalaureate programs
- Simulations of industrial/science laboratory problems are utilized in labs
- Strong individual advisement
- The program is located in the Agriculture Science building with six laboratories and a greenhouse. Students have access to a myriad of technologies and instrumentation. Explore the alphabet soup list below.
- UV-VIS Ultraviolet - Visible Spectrophotometry
- FTIR Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry
- AAS Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
- NMR Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
- FS Fluorescence Spectrophotometry
- GC-MS Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy
- HPLC High Performance Liquid Chromatography
- CE Capillary Electrophoresis
- PCR Polymerese Chain Reaction
A minimum of 63 credit hours is required for graduation, with an overall cumulative index of 2.0. In addition, the student must complete one credit hour of physical education. A grade of "C" or better is required in the core science courses (those which have BIOL or CHEM prefixes).
- [img_assist|nid=8001|title=going green image|desc=This program can lead to green careers.|link=url|url=http://www.alfredstate.edu/academics/programs-that-can-lead-to-green-car...|align=right|width=90|height=68]Law Enforcement Laboratories
- Environmental Monitoring
- Pharmaceutical Testing
- Wastewater Treatment
The program also enables graduates to transfer to four-year programs in biology and chemistry as well as programs such as sports medicine, forensic science, nuclear medicine, medical technology, ultrasound technology, and pre-professional programs (medicine, veterinary, dentistry, and pharmacy). Students may also continue their education in Alfred State's BS program in forensic science technology.
In a typical semester, biological science students earn an average of 17 credit hours. This means that they spend approximately 15 hours in lecture sections and eight to 12 hours in the lab per week, depending on the particular courses. Technical courses usually have 15-20 students while general courses may have 20-60 students.
| First Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL | 1104 | General Biology I | 4 |
| CHEM | 1114 | General Chemistry OR | |
| CHEM | 1984 | Chemistry Principles I * | 4 |
| COMP | 1503 | Freshman Composition | 3 |
| MATH | xxxx | Math Elective (MATH 1033 or greater) | 3-4 |
| BIOL | 1101 | Topics in General Biology | 1 |
| 15-16 | |||
| Second Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL | 2204 | General Biology II | 4 |
| LITR | 2603 | Introduction to Literature | 3 |
| CHEM | 2124 | General Chemistry II OR | |
| CHEM | 2984 | Chemistry Principles II * | 4 |
| xxxx | Technical Elective | 2-4 | |
| xxx3 | Social Science Elective | 3 | |
| 16-18 | |||
| Third Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL | 5254 | Principles of Microbiology | 4 |
| CHEM | 3514 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| xxxx | Technical Elective | 2-4 | |
| MATH | xxxx | Math Elective | 3-4 |
| HIST | xxx3 | History Elective | 3 |
| 16-19 | |||
| Fourth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL | 6534 | Genetics | 4 |
| CHEM | 4524 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| BIOL | 2111 | Biological Sciences Seminar | 1 |
| xxxx | Technical Elective(s) | 2-4 | |
| xxxx | Open Elective | 3-4 | |
| 14-17 | |||
Technical Electives:
- AGPS 1103 Soils
- AGRI 2012 Organic & Sustainable Agriculture Technology
- HORT 2544 Woody Plants
- BIOL 1304 Botany
- BIOL 1404 Anatomy & Physiology I
- BIOL 2504 Anatomy & Physiology II
- BIOL 2633 Histotechniques
- BIOL 2801 Environmental Science Lab
- BIOL 2803 Environmental Science
- BIOL 4403 Pathophysiology (online)
- CHEM 6614 Instrumental Analysis
- CISY 1003 Intro to Microcomputer Appl
or
CISY 3023 Adv Computer Spreadsheets - COMP 3703 Technical Writing
- PHYS 1044 College Physics I
- PHYS 2044 College Physics II
- SPCH 1083 Effective Speaking
- MATH 1084 Calculus I (if not used as a technical elective)
- MEDR 1132 Essentials of Pharmacology
- Other under advisement
MATH courses must be at the level of MATH 1033 college algebra or above.
Also required: one unit of physical education.
*preferred for transfer
| Survey Details | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receiving Degrees | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Responding to Survey | 2 (100%) | 3 (75%) | 2 (100%) |
| Employed | -- | -- | -- |
| Employed in Field | -- | -- | -- |
| Transferred | 2 (100%) | 3 (100%) | 2 (100%) |
| Unemployed & Seeking Employment | -- | -- | -- |
| Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment | -- | -- | -- |
Not available
