University of Maine at Farmington 2016-2017 Catalog
 
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Context

Biology
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Degree Earned
Bachelor of Arts: Biology

Biology majors at UMF become members of a scientific community. Scientific techniques of field observation, experimentation, measurement, sampling and analysis are part of virtually every course. Students work side by side with professors in classes, laboratories and in the field conducting research in nearby forests, lakes, rivers, hospitals, health agencies and bio-technological settings. They become proficient in doing and communicating science, often making presentations in public and scientific arenas. A flexible choice of courses, research opportunities and work initiative projects gives students the ability to build their own area of specialization. Graduates go on to further study in graduate and health care professional schools, and to careers in a wide range of fields, including bio-technology, molecular and cellular biology, ecology, and environmental biology.

Learning Goals, Assessment, and Requirements

General Program Goals:

Biology majors at UMF become members of a scientific community. They will learn scientific techniques of field observation, experimentation, measurement, sampling and analysis. They will learn how to work side by side with professors in classes, laboratories and in the field as they conduct research in nearby forests, lakes, rivers, hospitals, health agencies and bio-technological settings. They become proficient in doing and communicating science, often making presentations in public and scientific arenas.

Learning Goals:

  • Students will be able to use the scientific techniques of field observation, experimentation, measurement, sampling and analysis.
  • Students will be able to work and conduct research collaboratively with peers and professors in classes, laboratories and in the field.
  • Students will gain an understanding of core areas of biology sufficient to prepare them for entry level career positions or graduate/professional school.
  • Students will be able to do and communicate science, including making presentations.

Pre-professional Track:

  • Students will acquire the scientific knowledge in biology, chemistry and physics necessary for admission to professional  health careers.
  • Students will acquire observational, sampling, data analysis, and communication skills common to both science and professional health careers.

Assessment Criteria

A.    Knowledge

  • Students will be able to use biological vocabulary ("nominal and functional biological literacy").
  • Students will be able to understand of major concepts in the following six critical areas of biology, and communicate these concepts in their own words:
    • Evolution
    • Interaction and Interdependence
    • Genetic Continuity and Reproduction
    • Growth, Development, and Differentiation
    • Energy, Matter, and Organization
    • Maintenance of a Dynamic Equilibrium
  • Students will be able to distinguish science from non-science.
  • Students will understand the place of biology among other disciplines and the interactions between biology and society.

B. Skills

  • Students will be able to apply the scientific method (i.e., to understand procedural knowledge and skills so that one can carry out a scientific study as well as critically analyze the work of others).
    • This includes the ability to:
      • develop hypotheses and make predictions
      • design experiments to test hypotheses
      • critically evaluate results and draw conclusions
  • Students will be able to use basic modern technology for biological research and communication. This should include use of the following:
    • equipment used in field biology (standard monitoring equipment)
    • microscopes
    • equipment and techniques used in molecular genetics (micropipettes, centrifugation, electrophoresis, etc.)
    • computer-based data acquisition & analysis hardware and software
    • computer-based literature searching.
  • Students will be able write scientific papers is appropriate format and orally communicate the results of scientific research.

C. Attitude

  • Students will be able to demonstrate professional behavior.
  • Students will be aware of the ethical responsibilities of scientific practice.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (52 credits)
 
BIO 160 Plant Biology: Organisms to Ecosystems  4
BIO 170 General Zoology  4
BIO 251 Cell Biology  4
BIO 252 Genetics  4
BIO 361 Ecology  4
BIO 363 Evolutionary Biology  4
Biology Electives 12
CHY 141 General Chemistry I  4
CHY 142 General Chemistry II  4
CHY 241 Organic Chemistry I  4
PHY 116 Energy, Physics, and the Environment              
or    
PHY 141 General Physics I  4

 

PRE-PROFESSIONAL OPTION MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (52 Credits)

BIO 160 Plant Biology: Organisms to Ecosystems  4
BIO 170 General Zoology  4
BIO 251 Cell Biology  4
BIO 252 Genetics  4
CHY 141 General Chemistry I  4
CHY 142 General Chemistry II                             4
CHY 241 Organic Chemistry I  4
CHY 242 Organic Chemistry II  4
PHY 141 General Physics I  4
PHY 142 General Physics II  4
Recommended Electives* 12

*Recommended electives include General Physiology, Comparative Anatomy, Microbiology, Developmental Biology, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biotechnology, Human Anatomy and Physiology.

 

NOTE: A grade of C- or above must be earned in all science courses and their prerequisites.

One chemistry course and one physics course from the major may be counted for the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

For science majors declaring a science minor in a different science discipline, only eight credits of required coursework in the major can be counted toward the science minor.

 

FOREIGN LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
One year of one foreign language at the college level or two years of one foreign language at the high school level.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
For specific information about general education requirements and expectations see the General Education Requirements in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.

MINIMUM TOTAL CREDITS FOR THE DEGREE: 128

 

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