Department Chair: Associate Professor
Karen A. Campbell, Dr. P. Kenneth Nase '55 Chair of Biology
Professors Daniel, Heller
and Kreider
Assistant Professors Osgood and Samuelsen
Laboratory Demonstrator Eiben
The goal of the biology department is to engender
a comprehensive knowledge of and appreciation for the many dimensions
of the biological sciences. We emphasize the close relationship
of biology to other scientific disciplines, such as mathematics,
chemistry, and physics, and also stress the importance of biology
in society and within the historical liberal arts tradition.
Formal requirements for concentration in biology
are a total of 10 courses in biology, including BIO 201, 202, 203
and one 400-level course. No more than three courses at the 200-level
may be counted toward the area of concentration. Biology concentrators
must pass all three of the 200-level courses, earning a minimum
average grade of 2.0 over the three courses, or have permission
of the Biology Department Chair, in order to enroll in 300- or 400-level
courses. In addition, one course from each of the following three
groups must be taken: Group I (BIO 308, 311, 314 and 315); Group
II (BIO 321, 327, 332, 342 and 343); and Group III (BIO 304, 323,
324 and 330). Within the context of these guidelines, students may
freely elect any biology course or CHE 325 to meet the 10-course
requirement. Also required are MAT 107 (Calculus I) and an approved
statistics course and CHE 207 and 208.
Students doing an Independent Study must register
for the Research Seminar. Upon approval from the department chairperson,
students with special needs may combine biology courses with those
in another discipline(s) to create a combined program (BIO 201,
202, 203, one 400-level BIO course, one group I BIO course, one
group II BIO course and one group III BIO course) or an Individualized
Study Program as described elsewhere in this catalog.
The department also participates in formal interdisciplinary
areas of concentration such as psychobiology, biochemistry and environmental
science. Certain biology concentrators, such as those anticipating
entrance into cooperative forestry, environmental studies, or teacher
education programs, may include a geology course as a part of their
program, upon approval of the department chairperson. Students interested
in pursuing teacher certification in Biology must consult the chair
of the Education Department regarding specific requirements for
the program.
Those who concentrate in biology and related
areas choose a variety of professional and career goals including
those of ecologist, medical doctor, biotechnologist, veterinarian,
laboratory research technician, teacher, clinical laboratory scientist,
graduate student, dentist, physical therapist, environmentalist,
and many others. Special affiliations/agreements exist between Albright
College and such institutions as Duke University (cooperative forestry,
environmental studies), University of Michigan (environmental studies
and resource management), and regional schools of Clinical Laboratory
Science (Medical Technology).
Students electing to complete the Marine Science
program must complete the following courses: BIO 202 and 311; four
Marine Science courses offered through Duke University in a semester
to be completed off campus at the Duke Marine Lab in Beufont, NC
and the Bermuda Biological Station for Research. BIO 202, BIO 311
and two of the Marine Science courses may be applied toward concentrations
in either biology or environmental science, with the approval of
the biology department. Students must apply to the biology department
for admission to this program, which will normally be completed
during the junior or senior year. Scuba certification is recommended.
Co-op programs require the following courses:
BIO 201, 202, 203 and 311; one course in botany; CHE 207 and 208;
and MAT 210 (or an approved statistics course). ECO 105 must be
taken for general studies, and ECO 335 is highly recommended.
For additional information on co-op programs,
contact Professor Heller. For
advice on health and allied health professions, contact Professor
Campbell. All members of the biology faculty are available for advising
and counseling in areas related to the biological sciences. Because
requirements and recommendations for various postbaccalaureate programs
vary from year to year, you are encouraged to seek advice from faculty
members in the department.
Biology concentrators are encouraged to participate
actively in the various honorary societies, groups, and independent
activities within the department. These include Beta Beta Beta Biological
Society (Professor Heller, adviser)
and Alpha Epsilon Delta (preprofessional honorary society, Professor
Campbell, adviser).
Independent research (see catalog description)
under supervision of a member of the Biology Department is strongly
encouraged. Recent independent research projects have included studies
on bat ecology and echolocation, ultrastructure of insect visual
receptors, the ecology of Blue Marsh Recreation Area, the distribution
of endangered species of mammals, and cloning of genes using recombinant
DNA techniques. Such projects involve field trips to nearby ecosystems,
and the use of equipment such as a Zeiss EM 109 transmission electron
microscope, a Jeol T20 scanning electron microscope, laminar flow
hoods for working with sterile technique, ultramicrotomes, computer-assisted
recording of physiological variables, electrophoresis of DNA and
proteins and scientific imaging equipment. A microcomputer facility,
a greenhouse and complete color darkroom facility support laboratory
experimentation in many courses and independent projects.
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