Department of Biological Sciences

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Department of Biological Sciences

103 Lennon Hall
(585) 395-2193
FAX (585) 395-2741
E-mail: tlasal@brockport.edu

Chairman and Professor: Stuart Tsubota; Professors: Thomas Bonner, Steven W. Chan; Vice Provost and Associate Professor: P. Michael Fox ; Associate Professor: David Brannigan; Assistant Professors: Laurie Cook, Tracey Householder, Adam Rich, Rey Sia.

• Requirements
• Concentration Areas
• Courses

The Department of Biological Sciences offers two majors and two minors, and a variety of tracks in the major. Both majors and one minor are designed for students with an interest in one or several of the many aspects of the life sciences and provide excellent preparation for postgraduate training and careers in the biomedical, health, teaching, and other fields that require an understanding and practice of scientific reasoning and methods.

Through courses taken during the freshman and sophomore years, students build a scientific foundation for understanding how biological systems function. In the junior and senior years, students may concentrate in several areas of departmental strength: pre-medicine, biotechnology, or an individualized program. Internships and cooperative programs with public and private organizations afford students the opportunity to apply their skills outside the classroom. Because of complex biological and issues that face modern society, we encourage non-majors to take selected courses in biological sciences. Upon declaring a major in biological sciences, it is imperative that the student seek a faculty advisor by contacting the department secretary, Room 103 Lennon Hall.

Students majoring in Biological Sciences and Medical Technology are required to obtain a minimum grade of “C” in BIO 201, BIO 202 (and/or BIO 111) before they are allowed to take further courses in the major.

Students may transfer the above courses from other regionally accredited institutions to satisfy this requirement provided that the courses have been approved as equivalent and that the students have earned a grade of “C” or higher in the courses transferred.

Major in Biological Sciences
Biology requirements

Those students in other biology tracks are advised to consider courses in computer science, statistics and general physics to support their career goals. Handbooks that list recommended courses for each track are available from the department secretary.

NOTE: In normal progress toward the degree, BIO 201, 202, CHM 205, 206, and the recommended mathematics courses are taken in the freshman year. BIO 301, 302, 306, CHM 305, and the recommended CHM 306 courses are taken in the sophomore year. The recommended PHS 201 and 202 courses are taken in the junior year and 400-level biology courses in the junior and senior years. Only three credits of BIO 499 Independent Study may be included in the 38 credits required for the major.

Transfer Students
Transfer students must complete a minimum of 18 credits of upper-division courses in the Department of Biological Sciences at SUNY Brockport regardless of the numbers of credits transferred.

Advisement: To assure proper advisement in particular tracks, students should declare a major as early as possible, preferably in the freshman year. Majors are declared with the department secretary, Room 103, Lennon Hall.

Concentration Areas

Pre-medicine, Pre-dentistry, Pre-veterinary, Health Careers
Each year, students from SUNY Brockport apply for admission to professional study in medicine, dentistry, osteopathy, optometry, podiatry, physical therapy, and physicians assistant programs. Although at Brockport most “pre-med” professional students have majored in the biological sciences, there is no special major for pre-professional health care, and the requirements for admission can be met through a variety of majors available at the College. The program in biological sciences is well-established and our graduates successfully compete for positions in professional programs. We do arrange programs with local health care facilities, such as the Oak Orchard Community Health Center, to provide “pre-med” students with the experiential component necessary for successful application to medical school. Upon arrival at Brockport, students should contact the department for further information on these programs.

A Pre-professional Advisory Committee assists students interested in entering the medically related professions through formal meetings, counseling, and a library of materials; provides application materials for the MCAT, DAT, and OAT exams (the admissions tests for medical, podiatric, dental and optometry schools); and prepares a committee evaluation prior to application based on a formal interview with the applicant as well as test scores and GPA. This committee consists of faculty members from biological sciences, chemistry and physics.

Resource materials, admission statistics, suggested courses of study, admission test applications, and procedural information are available for SUNY Brockport students in the Biology Club room of the Department of Biological Sciences, Lennon Hall.

Biotechnology: The department is well-equipped to provide skills in cell and tissue culture, immunology, nucleic acid separations and electron microscopy. A substantial percentage of graduates who have obtained these skills have successfully entered jobs in government and industrial laboratories.

Certification in Secondary Education (7–12): Biology and General Science
Students who intend to become secondary school biology teachers qualify for New York state provisional certification by completing the requirement of Bachelor of Science and the requisite courses toward certification in secondary education as arranged with the Department of Education and Human Development Department.

Because the certification requirements are extensive and changeable, the student should meet with an advisor in each of the Departments of Biological Science and Education and Human Development.

Major in Medical Technology
The major in medical technology enables a student to obtain the BS in Medical Technology from SUNY Brockport at the end of a four-year program, including three academic years here and a fourth calendar year at a school of medical technology approved by the College. During the first three years each student fulfills the General Education requirements and the major requirements. The fourth year at a school of medical technology includes both theoretical and practical work in a medical lab. The BS is awarded upon the satisfactory completion of the requirements of both institutions. Upon completion of the internship, the student is eligible to take the National Registry Examination, which must be passed in order to be qualified as a Registered Medical Technologist. The program is currently offered in affiliation with Rochester General Hospital.

To enter this program, students declare a major in biological sciences in the freshman year to assure proper advisement. Majors are declared with the department secretary, Room 103, Lennon Hall. A formal application to the School of Medical Technology is made by the middle of the fall semester of the junior year. Based on the academic record for the freshman, sophomore years and mid-semester grades of the fall semester of the junior year and an interview, the decision is made as to which applicants will be formally admitted into the clinical year. This decision is competitive and made by the School of Medical Technology. Those students accepted into the clinical year are accepted into the major in medical technology at SUNY Brockport.

Medical Technology Fee: In additon to SUNY tuititon and fees, students in their clinical year will be charged tution and fees by the School of Medical Technology (Rochester General Hospital).

Suggested Program for SUNY Brockport Courses—Medical Technology

1 Required courses in Medical Technology
2 Recommended courses

The following courses (34 credits) are usually required in the clinical year at an approved school of medical technology: microbiology (immunology), clinical chemistry, hematology, blood bank, urinalysis/clinical microscopy, principles of disease, and toxicology.

Minor in Biological Sciences
A minimum of 18 credits, of which at least 10 must be at the 300/400 level, is required for the minor. Students declaring a minor in biological sciences must earn at least nine credits of biology courses at SUNY Brockport. Since no specific courses are designated, a variety of tracks is possible and it is important that students seek advisement through the Undergraduate Coordinator (inquire in Room 103, Lennon Hall). Many students working towards teacher certification and/or majoring in other disciplines elect a minor to strengthen their degrees.

Biological Sciences Courses