Simon Beeching, Jerry Chmielewski, Dean DeNicola, Mary Dominiecki, Wayne Forbes, Thomas Gaither, Jack Layne, Susan Rehorek, Mark Shotwell, William Sigmund, Carolyn Steglich, Steven Strain, Jeff Taylor

“Slippery Rock has an amazing Biology program. The professors are very supportive and I thought of them as my family away from home. Work hard and don’t expect an easy ride – the rewards and satisfaction you receive after graduation make it all worth it though.”

Angela Hollis, MD ‘99

The fundamental mission of the Department of Biology is to provide students with a comprehensive, contemporary understanding of the biological sciences by enthusiastically offering experiences that are stimulating and challenging. The goal of these efforts is to foster an appreciation for the complexities of living systems and to promote the development of competent biologists and scientifically literate citizens equipped for life-long learning.

Our curricula introduce the student to basic biological principles at the molecular, cellular, organismal, and population levels. The degree programs offered by the Department of Biology provide either breadth of training in the biological sciences, concentrations in botany or zoology, or concentrations in the paramedical fields of Medical Technology or Cytotechnology. Specialized opportunities exist for participation in undergraduate research and for off campus study (e.g. international experiences, internships, marine science).

Graduates may select careers in academia, business, health profession, teaching, industry, or government. Whatever their individual specializations, the biology faculty share a commitment to students and have a genuine concern for their professional development.

Students majoring or minoring in biology must maintain at least a 2.000 average in biology. Before progressing to a 200-level course, students must earn a 2.000 in 100-level basic requirement biology courses. Students may register in 200-level biology courses in any order but must maintain a biology average of 2.000 or better, before progressing to another course. A student must repeat any 200-level course that brings the biology average below a 2.000. Students should try to complete all 200-level biology requirements by the end of their sophomore year.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts
Major: Biology (31-32 credits)

Biology Courses (31-32 credits)

Basic Requirements: (17 credits)

BIOL 104, 201, 212, 250, 492

Additional requirements (9 credits): BIOL 330, 370, 401, 340 or 465, 410 or 451

Electives (5-10 credits): Select two courses from the above or any approved 300 or 400-level biology majors course. Additional electives may be selected from the Marine Science offerings.

Chemistry Courses (12 credits): CHEM 107, 108, 111, 112, 201, 211

Mathematics Course (4 credits): MATH 125

Physics Course (3 credits): Phys 201

Recommended Courses: CHEM 202, 212, Any CPSC course

Degree Completion in Four Years
Biology (BA)

Freshman Year	Hours		Sophomore Year	Hours
BIOL 104, 250	8		BIOL 201, 212	8
CHEM 107, 108, 111, 112	8		CHEM 201, 211	4
ENGL 101, 103	6		COMM 200	3
CPSC 110 (recommended)	3		SPAN 103	3
SPAN 101, 102	6		MATH 125	4
			CHEM 202, 212 (recommended)	4
			PESM 141, Activities	2
			Liberal Studies/Electives	3
Total Hours	31		Total Hours	31
Junior Year	Hours		Senior Year	Hours
BIOL Electives	9		BIOL 492	1
PHYS 201	3		BIOL Electives	6
Liberal Studies/Electives	18		Liberal Studies/Electives	21
Total Hours	30		Total Hours	28
			Completion Hours	120

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology (41-42)

Independent Study Option (41 credits)

Basic Requirements (20 credits)

Biology Courses: BIOL 104, 201, 212, 250, 490, 492

Additional Requirements (15 credits): BIOL 310, 325, 330, 340, 370, 401, 410, 451

Electives (5-10 credits): Select two courses from the above or any approved 300- or 400-level biology majors course. Additional electives may be selected from the Marine Science offerings.

Non-Independent Study Option (41 credits):
As in the Independent Study track except substitute an additional 300- or 400-level majors course in biology in place of BIOL 490. Additional electives may be selected from the Marine Science offerings.

Related Sciences
Chemistry Courses (19 credits): CHEM 107, 108, 111, 112, 201, 202, 211, 212, plus one advanced elective from: CHEM 335, or advanced chemistry course approved by Department of Biology chairperson.

Mathematics Course (4 credits): MATH 225

Physics Courses (7 credits): PHYS 211 and 213

Recommended Courses: Any CPSC course

Degree Completion in Four Years
Biology (BS)

Freshman Year	Hours		Sophomore Year	Hours
BIOL 104, 250	8		BIOL 201, 212	8
CHEM 107, 108, 111, 112	8		CHEM 201, 202, 211, 212	8
ENGL 101, 103	6		COMM 200	3
PESM 141	1		MATH 225	4
Liberal Studies/Electives	7		PESM Activities	1
			Liberal Studies/Electives	5
Total Hours	30		Total Hours	29
Junior Year	Hours		Senior Year	Hours
BIOL Electives	12		BIOL 490, 492	4
PHYS 211, 213	7		BIOL Electives	12
Liberal Studies/Electives	3		CHEM 335	3
			Liberal Studies/Electives	11
Total Hours	31		Total Hours	30
			Completion Hours	120

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science
Major: Cytotechnology
See the Cytotechnology section.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science
Major: Medical Technology
See the Medical Technology section.

Requirements for the Minor in Biology
Minimum of 17 credits

Required Courses: One 100-level course with lab. Two of the following courses: BIOL 201, 212, 250

Elective Courses: Six credits of approved courses numbered 300 or above. Additional electives may be selected from the Marine Science offerings.

Requirements for the Minor in Marine Science
Minimum of 26-27 credits

Required Courses

Biology Courses (3/4 credits): BIOL 101 or 104

Chemistry Courses (8 credits): CHEM 107, 108, 111, and 112

Environmental Geosciences Courses (3 credits): EGEO 131

Marine Science Courses (9 credits): MARS 241 (Marine Biology), MARS 331 (Chemical Oceanography), MARS362 plus 3 additional credits from the Marine Science course list.

Requirements for the Teacher Certification in Biology
Teacher certification is earned through the master of education degree at Slippery Rock University. Students seeking secondary school teaching certification in biology must earn a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science degree in biology and contact the Department of Secondary Education/Foundations of Education concerning its graduate program in education. Information about this program, including prerequisites for admission, may be obtained from the Secondary Education/Foundations of Education office in 114 McKay Education Building.

Program in Cytotechnology
Cytotechnologists are highly skilled laboratory professionals who enjoy excellent opportunities in the present job market, which include hospital laboratories, private clinics and cancer research laboratories. In our 3+1 program the student spends three years in coursework at Slippery Rock University and one calendar year in clinical and didactic study at an American Medical Association accredited hospital school of cytotechnology.

During the three years on campus the student earns a minimum of 91 credits. Upon the successful completion of the clinical 12 months, the university accepts 29 semester credits in transfer and awards the bachelor of science degree. Because of the nature of the cytotechnology curriculum, transfer students are strongly urged to earn 64 credits at Slippery Rock University.

Note: A 2.000 average must be maintained in BIOL 104, 210, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, and 250 before cytotechnology students can move on to the next required course. See also Department of Biology guidelines for further restrictions.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science
Major: Cytotechnology (50 credits)

Required courses

Biology Courses (26 credits): BIOL 104, 210, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 250, 335, 470
Chemistry Courses (16 credits): CHEM 107, 108, 111, 112, 201, 202, 211, 212
Mathematics Course (4 credits): MATH 225
Physics Course (4 credits): PHYS 211

Slippery Rock University is formally affiliated with the Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, VT and the School of Cytotechnology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY.

Program in Medical Technology
Slippery Rock University’s medical technology program involves three academic years of study on campus and one calendar year at an approved, affiliated school of medical technology or one acceptable to SRU. During the first three years of the program the student must complete a minimum of 91 semester credits.

After the sophomore year, the student applies for admission to a school of medical technology where acceptance is on a competitive basis. Successful completion of the internship program results in the awarding of the bachelor of science degree. Certification as a medical technologist is obtained by passing the Board of Registry Medical Technologists examination of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and/or the Clinical Laboratory Scientist examination of the National Certification Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel. Because of the nature of the medical technology curriculum, transfer students are strongly urged to earn 64 credits at Slippery Rock University.

Note: A 2.000 average must be maintained in BIOL 104, 210, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217 and 250 before medical technology students can move on to the next required course. See also Department of Biology guidelines for further restrictions.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science
Major: Medical Technology (50 credits)

Required Courses
Biology (26 credits): BIOL 104, 210, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 250, 330, 335 or 370
Chemistry (16 credits): CHEM 107, 108, 111, 112, 201, 202, 211, 212
Mathematics (4 credits): MATH 225
Physics (4 credits): PHYS 211

Slippery Rock University is formally affiliated with the School of Medical Technology at Altoona Hospital, Altoona, PA; Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY; Saint Vincent Health Center, Erie, PA; WCA Hospital, Jamestown, NY; and York Hospital, York, PA.