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.
- Explain and apply the scientific method in order to document, interpret and present results of an experiment.
- Evaluate scientific literature to summarize current thinking on a significant topic.
- Display effective interpersonal communication and work skills in the lecture and laboratory setting.
- Choose and employ proper safety practices in the laboratory
- Demonstrate the calibration and operation of scientific instrumentation.
- Utilize gravimetric and volumetric methods to determine the physical and chemical properties of matter.
- Make both organic and inorganic compounds according to prescribed multi-step syntheses.
- Use microbiological techniques to isolate organisms in pure culture.
- Describe the association of structure and function of plants and animals.
- Classify groups of organisms according to taxonomic criteria and evolutionary relationships.
Required: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2/ Trigonometry, Biology, Chemistry
Students must possess fine motor skills which allow them to focus a microscope with fine adjustment and use forceps.
The program is located in the newly renovated Physical and Health Sciences Building. Four science-ready lecture rooms are on the first floor with the eight laboratories found on the second and third floors. The laboratories are outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and instrumentation. Explore the alphabet soup list below.
- UV-VIS Ultraviolet - Visible Spectrophotometry
- FTIR Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry with ATR attachment
- AAS Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
- FS Fluorescence Spectrophotometry
- GC-FID Gas Chromatography/Flame Ionization Detector
- GC-MS Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy
- HPLC High Performance Liquid Chromatography
- CE Capillary Electrophoresis
- PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Preparative vacuum system
- Polarizing microscope
Anatomic models and up-to-date application software for teaching and learning, as well as for independent study and research, are available.
A minimum of 63 credit hours is required for graduation, with an overall cumulative index of 2.0. A grade of "C" or better is required in the core science courses (those which have BIOL or CHEM prefixes).
Law Enforcement Laboratories- Environmental Monitoring
- Pharmaceutical Testing
- Wastewater Treatment
Alfred State biological science graduates may enter directly into either the forensic science technology BS or technology management BBA degree program.
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).
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 [2] | 1104 [3] | General Biology I | 4 |
| CHEM [4] | 1114 [5] | General Chemistry OR | |
| CHEM [4] | 1984 [6] | Chemistry Principles I * | 4 |
| COMP [7] | 1503 [8] | Freshman Composition | 3 |
| MATH [9] | xxxx | Math Elective (MATH 1033 or greater) | 3-4 |
| BIOL [2] | 1101 [10] | Topics in General Biology | 1 |
| 15-16 | |||
| Second Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL [2] | 2204 [11] | General Biology II | 4 |
| LITR [12] | 2603 [13] | Introduction to Literature | 3 |
| CHEM [4] | 2124 [14] | General Chemistry II OR | |
| CHEM [4] | 2984 [15] | Chemistry Principles II * | 4 |
| xxxx | Technical Elective | 2-4 | |
| xxx3 | Social Science Elective | 3 | |
| 16-18 | |||
| Third Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL [2] | 5254 [16] | Principles of Microbiology | 4 |
| CHEM [4] | 3514 [17] | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| xxxx | Technical Elective | 2-4 | |
| MATH [9] | xxxx | Math Elective | 3-4 |
| HIST [18] | xxx3 | History Elective | 3 |
| 16-19 | |||
| Fourth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL [2] | 6534 [19] | Genetics | 4 |
| CHEM [4] | 4524 [20] | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| BIOL [2] | 2111 [21] | Biological Sciences Seminar | 1 |
| Technical Elective(s) | 2-4 | ||
| Open Elective | 3-4 | ||
| 14-17 | |||
Technical Electives:
- AGPS [22] 1103 [23] Soils
- AGPS 2203 [24] Plant Physiology
- AGRI [25] 2012 [26] Organic & Sustainable Agriculture Technology
- HORT [27] 2544 [28] Woody Plants
- BIOL 1223 [29] Intro to Forestry
- BIOL [2] 1304 [30]Botany
- BIOL [2] 1404 [31]Anatomy & Physiology I
- BIOL [2] 2504 [32] Anatomy & Physiology II
- BIOL [2] 2633 [33]Histotechniques
- BIOL [2] 2801 [34]Environmental Science Lab
- BIOL [2] 2803 [35]Environmental Science
- BIOL [2] 4403 [36]Pathophysiology (online)
- BIOL 5223 [37] Ecology
- CHEM [4] 6614 [38]Instrumental Analysis
- CISY [39] 1003 [40]Intro to Microcomputer Appl
or
CISY [39] 3023 [41]Adv Computer Spreadsheets - COMP [7] 3703 [42]Technical Writing
- PHYS [43] 1044 [44]College Physics I
- PHYS [43] 2044 [45]College Physics II
- SPCH [46] 1083 [47]Effective Speaking
- MATH [48] 1084 [49] Calculus I (if not used as a technical elective)
- MEDR [50] 1132 [51] Essentials of Pharmacology
- Other under advisement
MATH [9]courses must be at the level of MATH [9]1033 [52]college algebra or above.
Also required: one unit of physical education.
*preferred for transfer
| Survey Details | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receiving Degrees | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| Responding to Survey | 3 (75%) | 2 (100%) | 2 (50%) |
| Employed | -- | -- | -- |
| Employed in Field | -- | -- | -- |
| Transferred | 3 (100%) | 2 (100%) | 2 (100%) |
| Unemployed & Seeking Employment | -- | -- | -- |
| Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment | -- | -- | -- |
Not available
