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 labs, computerized physiology labs, and a student honors research lab. These facilities,  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 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, in both oral and written forms.
4. will have the opportunity to conduct research projects, either as part of an upper level course as a participant in an active 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 the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as examples. The Teacher Education Program, in Biological Science, prepares students for New Jersey State Certification to teach secondary Biology.

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 RUTGERS

This program is offered jointly by Ramapo College and the Rutgers Biomedical and Health Science – School of Health Related Professions (Rutgers-SHRP). The program includes three years (full time) undergraduate education at Ramapo College followed by three years (full time) entry-level professional physical therapy education at Rutgers. At the end of the senior year of the undergraduate curriculum, which also serves 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 Rutgers.

Students meeting the following criteria can be admitted into the professional phase of the program at Rutgers-SHRP:

• 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 and no grade below C in the prerequisite courses
• 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, may also apply after three years of undergraduate education to the Rutgers 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 Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences – School of Health Related Professions (Rutgers-SHRP). The program will include three years (full-time) undergraduate education at Ramapo College followed by three years (full-time) entry-level professional education at Rutgers. At the end of the senior year of the undergraduate curriculum, which serves 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 a Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant degree conferred by Rutgers.

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 3.2 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

Bio-Organic Chemistry Lec/Lab

Introduction to Psychology

General Education Distribution Category Courses

College English

Studies in the Arts and Humanities

NOTE:  Program requirements and admissions criteria may change as a result of changes at Rutgers that is beyond Ramapo’s control. For updated information consult http://shrp.rutgers.edu/

PHARMACY EARLY ACCEPTANCE PROGRAM (3+4)

This program is offered jointly by Ramapo College and Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM). The program includes three years (full time) undergraduate education at Ramapo College followed by four years (full time) of pharmaceutical education. 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 third post baccalaureate year in a Doctor of Pharmacy degree conferred by LECOM. Students can be accepted early admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy program only upon Admission to Ramapo and must maintain the standards required for accelerated entry into the program as outlined by the agreement in what is known as the 3+4 program. Other students who are interested in pursuing the Doctor of Pharmacy Degree at LECOM can apply at the end of their senior year for entry into the doctoral program.

• Early Admissions Applications are accepted prior to entering Ramapo College and students should complete the LECOM on-line EAP application by April 1^st.
  • The admissions requirements for Phase I of the Pharmacy Early Acceptance Program is:   SATs (Math & Verbal)=1170 or higher, ACT=26 or higher, High School GPA=3.5. Students must be accepted into the guaranteed admissions program by the Ramapo College Admissions Office.
• Students who are already matriculated at Ramapo College should complete the LECOM on-line application before beginning their third year of studies at Ramapo College.
  • Admissions criteria for Phase II to LECOM, students must have completed at least one year of study at Ramapo College and have an overall GPA of 3.4 or higher and a 3.2 GPA in Science classes.

See LECOM School of Pharmacy Early Acceptance Affiliation Agreement for further details.

MEDICAL COLLEGE EARLY ACCEPTANCE PROGRAM (3+4)

This program is offered jointly by Ramapo College and Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM). The program includes three years (full time) undergraduate education at Ramapo College followed by four years (full time) of osteopathic medical education. 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 third post baccalaureate year in a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree conferred by LECOM. Students can be accepted early admission to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program only upon Admission to Ramapo and must maintain the standards required for accelerated entry into the program as outlined by the agreement. Other students who are interested in pursuing the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree at LECOM can apply at the end of their senior year for entry into the doctoral program.

• Applications are accepted prior to entering Ramapo College and students should complete the LECOM on-line EAP application by April 1^st.
  • The admissions requirements for Phase I of the Medical Early Acceptance Program is:   SATs (Math & Verbal)=1280 or higher, ACT=29 or higher, High School GPA=3.8.             
• Students must be accepted into the guaranteed admissions program by the Ramapo College Admissions Office.
• Student who are already matriculated at Ramapo College and are interested in the “3+4” track should complete the LECOM on-line application before starting their second year of studies at Ramapo College.
  • Admissions criteria for Phase II to LECOM, students must have completed at least one year of study at Ramapo College students must have an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher and a 3.2 GPA in Science classes.

See LECOM School of Osteopathic Medicine Affiliation Agreement for further details.

DENTAL MEDICINE EARLY ACCEPTANCE PROGRAM

This program is offered jointly by Ramapo College and Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM). The program includes three years (full time) undergraduate education at Ramapo College followed by four years (full time) of dental education. 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 third post baccalaureate year in a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree conferred by LECOM. Students can be accepted early admission to the Doctor of Dental Medicine program only upon Admission to Ramapo and must maintain the standards required for accelerated entry into the program as outlined by the agreement. Other students who are interested in pursuing the Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree at LECOM can apply at the end of their senior year for entry into the doctoral program.

• Applications are accepted prior to entering Ramapo College and students should complete the LECOM on-line EAP application by April 1^st.
  • The admissions requirements for Phase I of the Dental Early Acceptance Program is:   SATs (Math & Verbal)=1170 or higher, ACT=26 or higher, High School GPA=3.5.
• Students must be accepted into the guaranteed admissions program by the Ramapo College Admissions Office.
• Also, students who are already matriculated at Ramapo College should complete the LECOM on-line application before beginning their third year of studies at Ramapo College.
  • Admissions criteria for Phase II to LECOM, students must have completed at least one year of study at Ramapo College and have an overall GPA of 3.4 or higher and a 3.2 GPA in Science classes.

See LECOM School of Dental Medicine Affiliation Agreement for further details.

This is an articulated seven-year program offered by Ramapo College and Touro College of Pharmacy.  The program includes three years at Ramapo and four years at Touro College of Pharmacy.  After three years at Ramapo, students will begin the graduate program at Touro, and at the end of the first year of graduate studies, students will received a B.S. degree in Biology conferred by Ramapo College.  At the end of their fourth year at Touro, students will receive a Doctor of Pharmacy degree conferred by Touro College of Pharmacy.

Requirements of the program:

• While at Ramapo, students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a science GPA of 2.75;
• Successful completion of PCAT exam;
• Completion of the following courses with no grades below C:
  • Fundamentals of Biology I and II, lectures and labs
  • General Chemistry I and II, lectures and labs
  • Organic Chemistry I and II, lectures and labs
  • Anatomy and Physiology I and II, lectures and labs
  • Microbiology, lecture and lab
  • Biochemistry, lecture
  • Calculus I or II
  • Economics

Also recommended:  Statistics, Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology, and completing the required Ramapo General Education and Biology program requirements for students in articulated programs.

Please refer to the catalog of the partner school for more specific requirements.

GOALS

Graduating Biology majors:

1. Will have 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, in both oral and written forms.
4. Will have the opportunity to conduct research projects, either as part of an upper level course as a participant in an active 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.

OUTCOMES

Outcome 1: Demonstrate an in depth knowledge of biological concepts including:

• Molecular and Cell Biology
• Organismal Biology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Ecology

Outcome 2:  Interpret scientific language, identify relevant evidence, integrate knowledge from different sources and make reasonable inferences from it. Construct well designed and well written documents (lab reports, research papers) and effective and interesting oral presentations. (An information literacy outcome)

Outcome 3: Utilize the process of scientific inquiry to design experiments, gather and interpret data.

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 do not apply to Major Requirements.
2. Double counting between General Education and Major may be possible.  Check with your advisor to see if any apply.
3. Writing Intensive Requirement (five courses):  two writing intensive courses in the general education curriculum are required: Critical Reading and Writing and Studies in the Arts and Humanities; the other three courses are taken in the major.
4. Not all courses are offered each semester.  Please check the current Schedule of Classes for semester course offerings.

BIOLOGY MAJOR

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 (lecture and lab co-requisites count as one course) 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.

BIOLOGY MINOR

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