College Catalog: 2011-2012

Biology, the study of life processes, is a rich and complex discipline. At Ramapo College, Biology is studied from molecular, cellular, organismic, community, and evolutionary perspectives.

The Biology major is organized to give our students a firm foundation for understanding the central principles of the study of life processes, yet it permits student flexibility to select courses which reflect their own particular areas of interest. In the core biology courses, students examine principles of change and continuity, inheritance and evolution, unity and diversity of organisms and their interaction with the environment and the impact of the environment on all life forms.

Ramapo’s well equipped modern laboratories include an environmentally-controlled greenhouse, computer rooms, computerized biology, physiology labs, and a student honors research lab, all of which allow students to explore the many aspects of biology both within the context of courses and as participants in faculty research.

Graduating Biology majors:

1. will have a wide ranging knowledge of biology and the ability to apply that knowledge in a problem-solving environment. Students will appreciate that:

• organisms are related to each other in time and space
• organisms share processes by which information is coded and transmitted
• organisms live in complex and fragile interacting ecosystems

2. will be proficient in basic laboratory skills common to biology and chemistry, such as PCR microscopy, spectrophotometry, gel electrophoresis, and volumetric and gravimetric methodologies.
3. will have the ability to communicate scientific information clearly and precisely, both orally and in written form.
4. will have had the opportunity to conduct research projects, either as part of an upper level course or as a participant in an active individual laboratory research projects within the College or as part of an appropriate cooperative education assignment outside the College.
5. will have an understanding of the principles of experimental design and data analysis and be able to formulate and carry out strategies for solving scientific problems.
6. will have the opportunity to take field courses which provide a direct exposure to natural biological systems.

Biology majors are prepared for graduate school, professional schools of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and other health-related professions. Graduates are also prepared to work in industry, education, and government settings such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as examples. The Teacher Education Program in Biological Science prepares students for New Jersey State Certification to teach Biology at the secondary level.

The Major is offered by the School of Theoretical and Applied Science and leads to a B.S. degree.

BIOLOGY/PRE-PHYSICAL THERAPY COMBINED DEGREE PROGRAM WITH UMDNJ

This program is offered jointly by Ramapo College and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – School of Health Related Professions (UMDNJ-SHRP). The program includes three years (full time) undergraduate education at Ramapo College followed by three years (full time) of entry-level professional physical therapy education at UMDNJ. At the end of the senior year of the undergraduate curriculum, which will also serve as the first year of the graduate curriculum, students will receive a B.S. degree (in Biology) conferred by Ramapo College. The program terminates at the end of the second post baccalaureate year in a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree conferred by UMDNJ.

Students meeting the following criteria can be admitted into the professional phase of the program at UMDNJ:

• Admission to Ramapo’s Biology/Physical Therapy track (excellent SAT scores and high school grade point average required)
• 3.0 GPA upon completion of all math and science prerequisites at Ramapo
• Knowledge of the field through actual work or volunteer experience
• Excellent composite recommendation by RCNJ faculty

Students who do not meet the admission criteria for entry to the professional phase but demonstrate a satisfactory grade point average and satisfactory scores on all three sections of the Graduate Record Exam also may apply after three years of undergraduate education to the UMDNJ Physical Therapy admission committee for admissions to the program through the general application process.

BIOLOGY / PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

This program is jointly offered by Ramapo College and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – School of Health Related Professions (UMDNJ-SHRP). The program will include three years (full-time) undergraduate education at Ramapo College followed by three years (full-time) of entry-level professional education at UMDNJ. At the end of the senior year of the undergraduate curriculum, which will serve as the first year for the professional curriculum, students will receive a B.S. degree (in Biology) conferred by Ramapo College. The program will terminate at the end of the second post baccalaureate year in Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant conferred by UMDNJ.

To be considered for this special program, you must make a separate application by June 1st of your sophomore year. (The application forms are available in the Dean’s Office in the School of Theoretical and Applied Science.) A student must have an overall Ramapo grade point average of 3.0 and should have completed the following courses with a grade of “C” or better:

• Fundamentals of Biology I Lec/Lab
• Fundamentals of Biology II Lec/Lab
• Precalculus OR Calculus I
• Organic Chemistry Lec/Lab
• Introduction to Psychology
• Humanities and/or Social Science
  • College English
  • Readings in Humanities

1. Transfer students who have 48 or more credits accepted at the time of transfer are waived from the courses marked with a (W) below.  Waivers only apply to General Education Requirements NOT School Core or Major Requirements.
2. Double counting between General Education, School Core, and Major may be possible.  Check with your advisor to see if any apply.
3. Writing Intensive Requirement: Three writing intensive courses in the general education curriculum are required: First Year Seminar, Critical Reading and Writing (formerly College English), and Readings in Humanities.

Note: A 2.0 GPA in the major is required for graduation.

1. At least 1/2 of the courses fulfilling a minor must be distinct from the student’s major. That is, three of the five courses required for a minor cannot be used towards fulfillment of major requirements. A school core does not need to be completed for a minor. Minors are open to students regardless of school affiliation.

General Education Requirements
Four Year Plan
Graduation Requirements
Biology Convening Group Website
School of Theoretical and Applied Science Website
Faculty Profiles