Program Overview:
The programs in Biology provide excellent preparation for laboratory work, research, teaching, medical school, veterinary school, allied health professions (such as physical therapy or physician’s assistant), or graduate study. The curriculum provides a thorough grounding in modern biology from the molecular to the organism level. After completing their introductory courses, students will choose one of two tracks. The first is a Cell and Molecular Biology track that prepares students for careers or graduate study in medically-related fields, biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, microbiology, genetics, animal biology, and other areas. The second, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, is offered to students who wish to pursue a more field-oriented degree that emphasizes how organisms interact with their environment.
Once a student has matriculated, all major requirements must be taken at The College of Saint Rose unless formal written permission to do otherwise is given by the advisor and Dean of the School of Mathematics and Sciences with consultation of the instructor.
Students may opt to combine a science major with minors from disciplines such as political science, psychology, art and business. These combinations acquaint the student with important knowledge of a world increasingly influenced by science. Saint Rose graduates have had career opportunities in varied fields such as forensic science, law, medical illustration and genetic counseling.
Program Contacts:
To email the Department Chair,
Dr. Ann Zeeh, Biology Department
Program Webpage:
Biology, BA
Program Requirements:
Major in Biology (68 credits)
All Biology majors will take the following CORE courses:
Those students opting for the Cell and Molecular Biology Track will also take the following courses in addition to the CORE courses:
One Animal Biology course:
One Ecology course:
Those students opting for the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Track will also take the following courses in addition to the CORE courses:
One Animal Biology course:
One Ecology course:
One additional Animal Biology or Ecology course from those listed:
Students must complete all of the CORE courses and the requirements for one of these tracks. The tracks may not be combined.
All 4-credit science courses have a required laboratory component.
A student who has taken BIO 100 or equivalent and changes to a Biology major may test out of BIO 190 and substitute one biology elective or may take BIO 190, BIO 191. Testing out satisfies prerequisites.
The Department of Physical and Biological Sciences highly recommends that all students majoring in the sciences take CSC 202 in fulfillment of their L08 Liberal Education requirement.
For those interested in pre-professional programs such as pre-medical or pre-veterinary studies, refer to the Academic Programs and Options section of this catalog.
For those interested in honors-level undergraduate research, please refer to the Research Honors section below.
School of Mathematics & Sciences Research Honors Concentration
In order to promote undergraduate research within The College of Saint Rose, the School of Mathematics & Sciences has created a research honors concentration program.
The School recognizes that what constitutes research may vary considerably across disciplines. The descriptions listed below represent the accepted definitions of research within the School of Mathematics & Sciences for individual departments currently offering research honors:
- Empirical examination of one or more hypotheses using research protocols and experimental designs appropriate to the student’s discipline. (Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law, Physical and Biological Sciences, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology)
- Robust exploratory examination of an advanced Computer Science topic (e.g. programming, design, analysis, simulation) following a traditional research trajectory and/or requiring implementation of a large-scale programming project. (Computer Science)
- In depth critical or theoretical examination of the literature on an unresolved issue in the field. (Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law, Social Work, Sociology)
- Qualitative examination using research protocols and designs appropriate to the student’s discipline. (Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law, Social Work, Sociology)
- Qualitative or deconstructive research that challenges a discipline’s orthodoxy or grand narrative. (Social Work)
Procedural Details:
- Students interested in pursuing research honors and who have achieved at least a B average at Saint Rose, must file an “Intent to Pursue Research Honors Concentration” document with the Dean of Mathematics & Sciences, accompanied by a letter of support from a faculty member within the major, and sign up for Research Honors Concentration Candidacy in Mathematics & Sciences for their major at the academic advising office. This concentration will appear on their academic progress report and academic transcript as “Research Honors in Mathematics and Sciences – Department of Biology.”
- Students must select a primary research advisor within their major who agrees to oversee the student’s progress toward Research Honors.
- Students must complete the research requirements for honors established for their major as indicated in he course catalog, and maintain an average of B or higher in these traditionally graded courses.
- At the time of graduation, students must have a minimum overall average of B and must meet or exceed the minimum GPA for research honors within their major as established by their department.
- At the conclusion of the research honors requirements, students will submit a thesis in a format appropriate for a scholarly journal within their discipline. Copies of the final thesis will be kept on file in the School of Mathematics & Sciences and in the Neil Hellman Library.
Physical & Biological Sciences
In addition to the general requirements for the research honors concentration described above, students pursuing research honors in the Department of Physical & Biological Sciences must also meet the criteria described below:
- Research may be conducted by completing at least 6 credits of undergraduate research (BIO 400, CHM 400, ESC 490, PHY 400) or at least 6 credits of internship (BIO 494, CHM 494, ESC 494) or at least 8 weeks of Department-approved, full-time, supervised summer research. Credit-bearing courses listed here for honors research cannot be taken pass/fail.
- As a component of the “Intent to Pursue Research Honors” document for the Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, the student must write an approved research proposal and obtain a letter of support from the supervising faculty.
- In addition to achieving at least a B average at the College, students intending to pursue research honors in the Department of Physical and Biological Sciences must have earned at least a B average in their major requirements at the time of completing the “Intent” document.
- The research honors option is not available to freshmen in the Department of Physical and Biological Sciences.
Internship/Field Experiences/Service:
Required Course
Professional Accreditation:
The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.
The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org
Career Opportunities and Graduate Study:
The program in biology provides excellent preparation for laboratory work, research, medical school, veterinary school, allied health professions, or graduate study.
Getting the undergraduate experiences necessary to qualify a student for medical, dental, or veterinary school can be challenging. While no specific undergraduate major is required, Biochemistry combined with field specific courses is strongly recommended. Faculty members at The College of Saint Rose help to ensure that students who want to go to medical, dental, or veterinary school have the advice, coursework, and support they need to help them prepare an effective application. Students are guided by the Pre-Med committee, a group of six faculty members who are dedicated to keeping students on-track for their chosen field.
Minor(s):
A minor in Biology may be earned by completing five major-level biology courses and labs with a grade of C or better in each course. (20 credits)
Complete minors listing
Total Credits for Minor (22 credits)
Admissions and Financial Aid Information:
The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of Freshman applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete an application as early as November. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.
What Makes an Application Complete
- Online or Paper application (fee waived for online applicants!)
- Official High School Transcripts
- Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
- SAT or ACT scores (See Test Optional FAQ's)
- Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
- Essay or Graded Paper
- Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
- Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.
Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)
Scholarships and Financial Aid
See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.
The Bottom Line
The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we still award more than $25 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.
Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.
More about Financial Aid
Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make you education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.
The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.
Find Out More: