Saint Vincent College
Biology Department

DEPARTMENTAL MISSION

The mission of the Biology program is to lay a foundation for graduate study in biology, training in the health professions, and employment based on technologies in the biological sciences. The Department believes that students should be broadly trained in science, should be knowledgeable in a specialized area of biology and should understand the process by which scientists ask and answer questions. Additionally, students should be acquainted with ethical issues and principles as they relate to the field of biology.



DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF THE DEPARTMENT

Course work is distributed in three major areas of biology: cell and molecular, organismal and population. This prepares students for a wide range of career options. (See curriculum section below) Lecture classes hold 20-35, and laboratories have 10-20 students. All laboratory classes are conducted by faculty. Students work individually with professors for their senior research project. This is a 3 semester program, in which students work individually with a professor to develop a proposal, perform lab or field work, and write a thesis. (See curriculum section below) A combination of teaching instruments and research equipment supports hands-on laboratory course work, independent student research and on-going faculty studies. In addition to modern laboratories, we have a computer lab, laboratory rooms specifically designated for student research, and a state-of-the-art animal care facility. The rural location of the College permits environmental studies in nearby forests, streams and lakes. Within 20 minutes is Powdermill Nature Reserve, the biological field station of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. In addition, a series of experimental wetlands was recently built at Saint Vincent for on-going research by faculty, students, and visiting scientists and engineers. The Career Development Center has an active program to place students in internships in health care facilities, research labs, biological field stations, and local industries. Within the Biology Department a designated internship advisor works closely with the Career Development Center to match students with an appropriate opportunity. Internships are strongly encouraged for all biology majors and the majority of our students participate in at least one while at Saint Vincent. Biology alumni attending graduate and professional schools serve as mentors for students interested in advanced studies. Alumni who are established in biological professions provide guidance to students about career choices and opportunities. Saint Vincent College has a long-standing reputation for placing students in schools of the health professions. Acceptance rates in allopathic medical schools over the years 1985-2004 average 71%. Over the same interval, acceptance rates in osteopathic medical programs, and dental, podiatry and optometry schools were nearly 100%. Recent graduates are attending Jefferson Medical College, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Case Western Reserve University Biomedical Sciences Training Program, Virginia Tech/University of Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and the Pennsylvania State University Department of Biochemistry, to name some.
 


DEPARTMENTAL STATISTICS

5 full-time faculty

1 laboratory manager

Majors: 115-125

Minors: 5-15

CURRICULUM

Biology is an interdisciplinary field requiring foundations in mathematics, chemistry and physics in addition to biology. Consequently, the curriculum crosses disciplinary lines as outlined below.
 

Incoming freshmen begin with General Biology and General Chemistry. General Biology is a two semester sequence in which students develop a foundation in three general areas of biology: cellular, organismal and population biology. At the end of the freshman year, each student elects one of these areas for concentration.

General Chemistry introduces atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, chemical kinetics, solids/liquids/gases, thermodynamics, and acid-base chemistry. All of these topics are essential to an in-depth understanding of living systems.
 

The sophomore, junior and senior years are devoted to the completion of upper level courses. In biology, students must take two courses with labs in their area of concentration and one course with lab in each of the other two areas. Additionally, students take a biology elective from within or outside their area of concentration.

During the sophomore year students also take Calculus and Organic Chemistry. Calculus is a prerequisite for physics and provides students with the basic tools necessary to quantitatively model biological systems. Organic Chemistry is central to biology since it is the study of carbon compounds and most molecules found in living systems are carbon compounds.

In the junior year students study mechanics, optics, electricity, magnetism, waves, heat and other topics in General Physics. Again, the purpose is to provide students with the tools necessary to understand and analyze living systems.
 

The senior research project is the culminating activity in the biology program. It is designed to introduce students to all facets of developing and completing a research project. It begins with a seminar in the Junior year in which students learn to search the biological literature, critically read primary research articles, formulate biologically significant questions, design experiments and develop long-term plans. The student performs the proposed laboratory or field work in the next semester, during the fall of the senior year. Finally, in the spring semester of the senior year, the student critically analyzes the data and integrates the work with that of other researchers in a written thesis format. Many alumni report that the research program was the single component of their undergraduate education that best prepared them for subsequent studies and careers.

ADVISING

Each student is assigned a faculty advisor with whom s/he works closely to develop and implement a course of study based on the student's abilities, interests and goals. Included are required coursework, elective coursework and relevant internship and summer experiences.
  All of the Biology faculty sit on the Pre-Professional Health Committee. The Committee monitors the progress of students throughout their tenure at the College. During the freshmen through junior years, the Committee helps students select courses and experiences that will best prepare them for the application process and subsequent matriculation to professional schools. In the junior year, the Committee formulates recommendations on behalf of each student and assists with the preparation of  applications. During the senior year, the Committee helps students choose which professional school will best serve them (see Pre-Health Professions).

SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS AND FACULTY

Several Saint Vincent faculty (representing the Biology, Chemistry and Business Departments), academics from other institutions, engineers, and college students have been engaged for the past 5 years in efforts to improve local water quality through research in stream chemistry, invertebrates, riparian headwaters and land use. Towards this end the College has formed a coalition of state, federal, and private organizations, and secured support for constructing wetlands to treat mine drainage. Certain wetlands have been built expressly for experimental work.
  Medical facilities throughout the Pittsburgh area are available for internships with students and collaborative research with faculty. Local industries such as Latrobe Brewing Company have provided both internship and job opportunities for our students.
  Saint Vincent College particpates in a National Science Foundation funded Math and Science Partnership (MSP) with regional intermediate units, school districts, and colleges.  Additionally, the College sponsors an Environmental Education Center which works extensively with local teachers and school districts. Students interested in high school teaching may earn secondary education certification in biology (see the Education Department), and may particpate in MSP and Environmental Education Center activities.
  The College funds faculty research directly and assists faculty in obtaining external grants. Students participate as interns in these on-going studies. Students may also apply for internal funds to support research they do under the supervision of faculty.

SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCES

Selected senior research students present their research each April at this symposium hosted on a rotating basis by the participating institutions.
  Hosted by the College every November, students and professionals present their work on the composition, effects and treatment of mine drainage.
  Students and faculty attend and present their research.
  Saint Vincent students attend and present research at this meeting held at the near-by Powdermill Nature Reserve. The conference draws ecologists from universities in the tri-state area.
  Faculty and students present their research at meetings sponsored by professional societies such as the Ecological Society of America and the American Society of Microbiology.

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