Biology

• Faculty
• Course Work
• Undergraduate Programs in Biology
  • Biology, B.A.
  • Biology, B.S.
  • Concentration in Biotechnology
  • Minor in Biology
  • Certificate in Environmental Management
  • Medical Technology, B.S.
  • Major in Medical Technology as a Second Bachelor's Degree
• Graduate Programs in Biology
  • Biology, B.S.
  • Concentration in Environmental Science and Policy
  • Concentration in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
  • Environmental Science and Public Policy, Ph.D.
• Home Page - www.gmu.edu/departments/Biology/
  

Faculty

Professors: Ernst, Hart, Jones, Lawrey, Shaffer, Skog, Soyfer (Distinguished University Professor), Taub, Taylor
Visiting professor: Talbot
Associate professors: Adamkewicz, Andrykovitch, Birchard, Bradley, Chandhoke, Christensen, Jonas, Kelso, Litchfield, Rockwood, Royt (acting chair), Torzilli, Walbridge
Assistant professors: Fryxell, Megonigal
Visiting assistant professors: Coss, Shields
Visiting instructor: Fox

Course Work

Undergraduate Programs

The B.A. and B.S. in Biology provide a sound liberal education with substantial experience in quantitative and analytical thought, along with preparation for a related profession. In addition to ensuring the strong background necessary for graduate study in the many fields of biological science, the broad range of courses available at George Mason allows students to develop careers in many areas, including secondary school teaching, environmental management, microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, genetics, and natural history. Alternatively, students may prepare for postgraduate studies in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, wildlife management, fisheries biology, or marine science. The department also offers a B.S. in Medical Technology. Additional information can be found at the Biology Department's website through the university's main page at www.gmu.edu or by contacting the Biology Department, David J. King Hall, Room 3005, (703) 993-1050.

Advising
All biology and medical technology majors must have an advisor's signature to register each semester. See the Biology Department's website through the university's website at www.gmu.edu for more information.

Residence Requirement for Transfer Students
Students majoring in biology are required to complete 16 credits in the major at the 300 and 400 levels at George Mason University.

Biology, B.A.

1. Thirty-two credits in biology, including BIOL 213, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 311, 492 (or 494)
2. CHEM 103, 104 or 211, 212
3. Three credits of statistics
4. Six credits from the following: ASTR 103, 111-112, 113-114; GEOL 101, 102, 105; PHYS 106, 107, 243, 245

Students expecting to enter graduate or professional school are strongly urged to complete MATH 113 and 114. Organic chemistry and PHYS 106, 107 or PHYS 243, 244, 245, 246 are recommended.

Biology, B.S.

1. Forty-four credits of biology, including BIOL 213, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 311, 492 (or 494)
2. CHEM 211, 212, 313, 315, and one of the following options:
   1. CHEM 314 and either 318 or 320
   2. One three-credit chemistry course at the 300 or 400 level
   3. GEOL 101 and 102
3. PHYS 106, 107 or PHYS 243, 244, 245, 246
4. At least nine credits from among the following, including at least two math courses: MATH 110, 111 (6); MATH 113, 114 (8); CS 103 (3); STAT 250 (3); BIOL 312* (4)

Students are encouraged to consult with a biology faculty advisor to determine which option best meets his/her career goals.

Concentration in Biotechnology

In addition to the general requirements for the B.S. degree, the following courses are required for the concentration:

1. Twenty-five credits in biology, including BIOL 213, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 311, 492 (or 494)
2. Nineteen credits of biotechnology, including BIOL 385, 483, or CHEM 502 and other courses chosen from BIOL 312, 377, 380, 402, 403*, 451, 452, 453*, 482, 484, 485*, 497**, 553, 556, 563, 568, 570, 572, 575**
3. Eighteen credits in chemistry, including CHEM 211, 212, 313, 314, 315, 318 (or 320)
4. Sixteen credits in mathematics and physics, including MATH 110, 111 or 113, 114, and PHYS 243, 244, 245, 246

Laboratory Requirement
Many biology courses include a required or optional laboratory in which students are expected to participate. Laboratories include field trips, experiments with live plants and animals, and dissections of preserved specimens.

Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in biology fulfill this requirement by successfully completing BIOL 307. Students not taking BIOL 307 at George Mason should consult the biology undergraduate coordinator for a course to fulfill this requirement.

Honors Program in Biology
Biology majors who have completed 16 credits of math and science, including BIOL 213, with a GPA of 3.000 or higher, are eligible to enter the departmental honors program. Transfer students who have an incoming GPA of 3.100 in math and science and a B or better in BIOL 213 are also eligible to enter the program. To graduate with honors in biology, a student is required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.000 in math and science and to earn a GPA of at least 3.500 in at least three semesters of BIOL 494 Honors Seminar. For more information, contact the departmental honors advisor at (703) 993-1050.

Minor in Biology

Certificate in Environmental Management

The Biology Department offers an undergraduate certificate program in environmental management for students interested in environmental issues. The program consists of a minimum of 27 credits, most of which, with appropriate planning, may be counted toward the fulfillment of B.S. or B.A. requirements in biology.

The curriculum provides a substantive appreciation of the biological, physical, and social aspects of environmental problems and methods for their analysis and resolution. It should particularly interest students wishing to pursue graduate work or seeking employment in the environmental field. All biology majors are eligible to enroll. Inquiries should be made to the environmental management certificate director, Mark R. Walbridge, Biology Department, (703) 993-1033.

Students receiving the certificate must hold a baccalaureate degree or be receiving a baccalaureate degree from the university at the time they receive the certificate. As an entry-level requirement, students are required to complete a two-semester laboratory science sequence in biology, chemistry, or geology. Only courses with a grade of C or better are counted toward the certificate program.

Students select at least 27 credits of course work with the help of the certificate director. The courses are divided into five categories. Courses listed in more than one category can only satisfy the requirements of one. Any substitution in the following list requires permission from the certificate director.

1. Environmental certificate core (four courses): BIOL 377; GEOG 303; ECON 103, GOVT 351, or GOVT 357; one course in statistics
2. Physical perspective (one or two courses): BIOL 309, 535, 550, 577; GEOG 102, 309; GEOL 205, 313, 317, 403, 405; USE 440
3. Biological perspective (one or two courses): BIOL 307, 309, 344, 345, 371, 375, 440, 446, 449, 471, 532, 535, 536, 537, 543, 546, 547, 550, 577; HEAL 450
4. Social perspective (one course): ANTH 305, 365, 370, 440; CONF 501; ECON 350, 360; GEOG 301, 304, 305, 306, 316, 325, 406; GOVT 318, 357, 364, 366; MGMT 312; NURS 543; PHIL 555; PRLS 300, 402, 526; PUAD 502; SOCI 306, 541; USE 300, 350, 400, 452, 453
5. Environmental methods (one course): DESC 301, 352; GEOG 310, 411, 412, 416, 550, 553, 579, 580, 585; USE 340

Premedical, Predental, and Preveterinary Students
Students planning to enter medical, dental, or veterinary schools may choose to major in biology. These students should meet with one of the Biology Department's health sciences advisors in their second semester for assistance and information about the university's Health Sciences Advisory Committee.

Because schools in the health sciences vary both in their philosophies and in their specific requirements, it is wise for students to become aware of such information well in advance of applying for admission. Although specific requirements vary, most programs do require applicants to complete at least one year of biology. Students who decide not to major in biology should take BIOL 213, 305, and 306. Other requirements generally include organic chemistry (CHEM 313, 314, 315, and 318 or 320) and a year of college physics (PHYS 243 through 246). A course in calculus is required by some and highly recommended by others. Admission requirements can generally be met by either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.

Secondary Teacher Licensure (Certification)
Students enrolled in either the B.A. or B.S. in Biology program and who wish to become licensed to teach biology in Virginia secondary schools must take a course in animal physiology, a course in physics, a course in geology, and a course in medical ethics, in addition to fulfilling the other degree requirements. Licensure also requires completion of an approved program of professional teacher education courses. Consult the Office of Teacher Licensure in the Graduate School of Education (Robinson Hall, Room 307A, (703) 993-2079) for specific discipline and teacher education course requirements.

The Office of Teacher Licensure can also provide information about the licensure program for those who do not hold a bachelor's degree in biology from George Mason.

Biology for Nonmajors
Students who are not majoring in science or mathematics and who wish to fulfill their natural science requirement with a two-semester laboratory sequence in biology should enroll in BIOL 103 and 104. Chemistry, physics, and mathematics majors should consult their faculty advisors to determine which biology courses to take.

Medical Technology, B.S.

Responsibility for applying to schools of medical technology and gaining admission rests with the students. However, guidance is provided by the medical technology program director in the Biology Department. Admission to schools of medical technology is selective. Candidates should strive for strong academic standing. Students who fail to gain admission to a CAHEA-approved school are unable to complete the degree program. Such students may transfer to a biology major without loss of credits.

Application to medical technology schools should be initiated about a year before the desired entrance date. This fact, coupled with the large number of required courses in the preprofessional curriculum, makes it imperative that students in the program consult regularly with their faculty advisors. All medical technology majors and prospective majors are urged to enroll in MTCH 200 as early as possible. This course provides information on the profession and on the educational demands placed on candidates.

Students should be aware that the senior year spent off campus requires the following special interpretation of university policies. Transfer students must present at least 16 credits of 300- or 400-level biology or chemistry taken at George Mason. Students may present no more than six credits of D grades in the biology and chemistry courses required in the three years of preprofessional study. No unsatisfactory grades may be presented for courses in the senior year of professional study. Transfer students entering with more than 45 transfer credits are often unable to complete the preprofessional phase of their program in the usual three years of full-time study.

Senior students are registered at the university through special procedures. For details, consult the program director.

In addition to the college requirements for B.S. degrees and MTCH 200, candidates for the B.S. in Medical Technology must present the following courses in their preprofessional programs:

1. Biology, a minimum of 20 credits, including BIOL 213, 303, 305, 306, 311, 452, 453
2. Chemistry, a minimum of 18 credits, including CHEM 211, 212, 313, 314, 315, 318 (or 320)
3. Mathematics, a minimum of 6 credits (STAT 250 recommended; MATH 106 not applicable)

Students are encouraged to elect additional basic science courses during their preprofessional years. Recommended are BIOL 380, 465, 483, 484, 485; CS 103; CHEM 321; PHYS 106, 107.

The professional study during the senior year involves clinical education at an affiliated school of medical technology. Thirty credits of course work are required, including MTCH 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, and 406. The distribution of credits in these courses varies with the school of medical technology. No more than 30 professional credits may be applied toward the degree.

Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Articulation Program
A special program is available for MLTs who are graduates of associate degree programs. This program provides substantial credit for the scientific and clinical aspects of the associate degree, but requires that the student meet the clinical requirement for national certifying examinations through approved work experience. For details, contact the program director.

Major in Medical Technology as a Second Bachelor's Degree

Biology Club and Premedical Honor Society
The Biology Club functions as both a social and informational network for all interested students. In addition, it serves the Biology Department by sponsoring a seminar program and working at university functions.

Alpha Epsilon Delta Zeta Premedical Honor Society is a national student support group providing professional school tours, educational programs, and lectures on health topics and on the professional school admissions process to students interested in health-related fields such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, and veterinary medicine. Active membership is awarded to students who have completed at least three semesters with a minimum scholastic GPA of 3.000. Associate membership is also available.

Graduate Programs

Biology, M.S.

The Master of Science in Biology program provides advanced training for recent college graduates, professionals in teaching, technical, and other biology-related fields, and research-oriented persons. The degree encompasses traditional and contemporary areas such as animal behavior, biochemistry, botany, cell biology, ecology, evolution, genetics, microbiology, molecular genetics, physiology, systematics, and vertebrate zoology. Students may study one of these biological sciences, or choose from two concentrations: environmental science and policy, and bioinformatics and computational biology.

Students pursuing the M.S. in Biology have the option to conduct either a formal thesis (for which a minimum of three credits and a maximum of six credits of BIOL 798 may be earned). The difference between the two options is the depth and sophistication of the project. Whereas a thesis normally involves original research, independent acquisition, and interpretation of data, a project may be employment-related research or a comprehensive report resulting from an internship.

At the conclusion of the program, students pursuing the master's project option must successfully complete comprehensive written and oral examinations. Students pursuing the master's thesis option must defend their theses and present their results in a public seminar.

Lack of enrollment for two consecutive semesters results in inactive status. Reactivation of program enrollment is by application to the M.S. coordinator and is contingent on availability of program resources.

Deadlines
Deadlines for completed applications for admission are March 15 for fall semester and October 1 for spring semester. Notification of decisions will be made by May 1 for fall and December 1 for spring.

Program in Biological Sciences

Admission Requirements
Applicants for the program in biological sciences are expected to have a bachelor's degree in biology or its equivalent, with a GPA of 3.000 or better in biology courses. Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation and scores on the Graduate Record General and Biology Examinations. To be accepted as a degree student, an applicant's scores on the verbal and quantitative general test should total 1100 or more and should be in the 50th percentile or better on the biology subject portion, with no raw subscore of less than 60 (40th percentile). Applicants must also submit a substantial statement of interest in the program and an explanation of career goals. Prospective students are encouraged to contact potential advisors. Information concerning faculty interests can be obtained from the departmental office. Admission is contingent upon acceptance by an advisor.

Degree Requirements
A student must complete at least 30 credits, including BIOL 690. Students are required to form a supervising committee and submit a program of study to the program coordinator for approval within the first 12 credits of course work. Course requirements may be fulfilled by completing courses from a variety of academic units at the university.

Concentration in Environmental Science and Policy

The concentration in environmental science and policy is designed to meet the increasing need to train environmental scientists and managers who will address the problems of land and water pollution, hazardous waste management, land use and urbanization, wetland loss, and ecosystem preservation. These professionals also will contribute to the analysis and resolution of global problems such as deforestation, insufficient world food supplies, acid deposition, population growth and public health, global warming, and depletion of the ozone layer.

Environmental problems are defined in the real world, and they do not necessarily conform to traditional academic disciplines; rather, they require creative combinations of diverse interests and subjects to be resolved. Effective training requires rigorous, problem-focused interdisciplinary education in a setting in which research is an essential element supporting instruction.

The concentration in environmental science and policy can also serve as a training ground for students wishing to further their education by pursuing the Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Public Policy at George Mason.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the M.S. degree with a concentration in environmental science and policy should hold a bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.000 in natural or earth sciences, engineering, resource planning, or related fields from an accredited institution. Applicants should have taken at least two semesters of chemistry and three semesters of biology, including ecology. If the degree is in a field other than those mentioned above, applicants should have taken several science courses beyond the introductory level. They may be required to make up deficiencies before being permitted to enroll in the program.

Applicants should submit three letters of recommendation, including at least one from a former professor. The aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination is required with a minimum score of 1100 for verbal and quantitative combined. Applicants must also submit a substantial statement of interest in the program and potential areas of emphasis as well as an explanation of career goals.

Degree Requirements
The environmental science and policy concentration encourages an independent and creative approach in the development of curricula. Students are required to form a supervisory committee and submit a program of study to the program coordinator for approval within the first 12 credits of course work. Course requirements may be fulfilled by completing courses from a variety of academic units at the university.

The program requires a minimum of 33 graduate credits distributed in four categories to provide both depth and breadth in knowledge related to environmental problems.

Category 1—Natural sciences: A minimum of nine credits are required in areas such as biology, geology, geography, chemistry, or environmental engineering.

Category 2—Social sciences: A minimum of six credits are required in areas such as public policy, economics, law, sociology, ethics, business, or conflict management.

Category 3—Environmental methods: A minimum of six credits are required in areas such as statistics, remote sensing, cartography, instrumental analysis, computing, mathematics, modeling, or management and information systems.

Category 4—Individual program focus: A minimum of 12 credits are required that reflect a cohesive area of study. Graduate seminars for credit and research credits belong in this category. The environmental science seminar must be taken once.

A committee of three faculty members with two departments represented is required for both the project and thesis options. Requests for exceptions should be directed to the director of graduate programs in environmental science and public policy.

Concentration in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Admission Requirements
Students applying to the M.S. degree with a concentration in bioinformatics and computational biology should have a bachelor's degree in some field of the natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, or computer science, with a GPA of 3.000 or higher in the last 60 hours of study. Students are expected to have competency in the biological sciences or in computational sciences. Computational skills and biological knowledge are evaluated during the admissions procedure. Any deficiency in these areas is addressed in the completion of the degree requirements. With the university application, the applicant must submit three letters of recommendation, a statement of interest in the program, potential area of emphasis, career goals, and GRE-GEN scores. A minimum score of 1200 (verbal and quantitative) is expected on this exam. It is recommended that students take the GRE-SUB if they are seeking graduate support.

Prospective students are encouraged to contact potential faculty advisors appropriate to their interests. The Biology Department and the School of Computational Sciences will provide a list of faculty research interests. The list is also available through the university's website at www.gmu.edu. Admission is contingent upon acceptance by an advisor.

Degree Requirements
An advisory committee and the student work together to develop a program of study that best meets the student's background and interests. At least one member of the committee must be from the Biology Department. The student must complete a minimum of 35 graduate credits for the M.S. degree and must submit a program of study to the program coordinator for approval within the first 12 credits of course work.

Courses are taken from the following categories:

Category 1—Computational sciences: A minimum of seven credits, including CSI 601, 602, 603, 604; and INFS 614.

Category 2—Bioinformatics: A minimum of nine credits, including CSI 650, 651, 652.

Category 3—Biotechnology: A minimum of seven credits, including BIOL 668 and CSI 739.

Category 4—Individual program focus: A minimum of 12 credits, including three credits of seminar (including BIOL 690), and six credits of research thesis (BIOL 799) or three credits of a project (BIOL 798).

Environmental Science and Public Policy, Ph.D.