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Catalog Index Search the 1999-2000 Catalog: |
Biology
FacultyProfessors: Ernst, Hart, Jones, Lawrey, Shaffer, Skog, Soyfer (Distinguished University Professor), Taub, Taylor (chair) Associate Professors: Adam kewicz, Andrykovitch, Birchard, Bradley, Chandhoke, Christensen, Jonas, Kelso, Litchfield, Rockwood, Royt, Torzilli, Walbridge Assistant Professors: Fryxell, Megonigal Visiting Assistant Professors: Coss, Hamblin-Katnik, Piper, Shields Visiting Instructor: Fox
Course WorkThe Biology Department offers all course work designated BIOL
and MTCH in the "Course Descriptions" chapter
of this catalog.
Undergraduate ProgramsThe 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 Residence Requirement for Biology, B.A.In addition to the general requirements for the B.A. degree, candidates must present the following:
Students expecting to enter graduate or professional school are strongly urged to complete MATH 113 and 114. Organic chemistry and PHYS 106, 107 or 243, 244, 245, 246 are recommended. Biology, B.S.In addition to the general requirements for the B.S. degree, candidates must present the following:
Students are encouraged to consult with a biology faculty advisor to determine which option best meets his/her career goals. Concentration in BiotechnologyThe biotechnology concentration consists of a selection of courses that provide essential skills to students seeking employment in the field or who wish to include an applied component in their undergraduate training in biology.In addition to the general requirements for the B.S. degree, the following courses are required for the concentration:
Laboratory Requirement Writing-Intensive Requirement Honors Program in Biology Minor in BiologyCandidates for the minor in biology must complete 19-20 credits, including the following courses: BIOL 213, 303, 304, and either 307 or 311, in addition to one other 3-4 credit biology course at the 300, 400, or 500 level.Certificate in Environmental ManagementThe 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, Biology Department, (703) 993-1050. 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.
Premedical, Predental, and 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 and 305-306. 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) 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 Medical Technology, B.S.This program requires the equivalent of three years of full-time preprofessional study at the college level preceding a senior year of professional education in an affiliated school of medical technology. All affiliated schools are accredited by the Committee on Allied Health and Education Accreditation (CAHEA) of the American Medical Association.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:
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 Major in Medical Technology as a Second Bachelor's DegreeWhile the standard program for medical technologists is three years on campus followed by a fourth year at a clinical affiliate (3 + 1), many students elect to complete a bachelor's degree before entering the clinical program (4 + 1). Students who have completed a B.S. in Biology or Chemistry at George Mason and who then undertake a fifth year at a clinical affiliate may be eligible for a second bachelor's degree with a major in medical technology. Students wishing to receive the second degree must apply before entering their fifth year. For further information, contact a medical technology advisor. Biology Club and Premedical Honor Society
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 ProgramsBiology, 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.Deadlines Program in Biological SciencesAdmission Requirements Degree Requirements Students have the option to conduct either a formal thesis (for which a minimum of three credits and a maximum of six credits of BIOL 799 could be earned), or a project (for which a minimum of one credit and a maximum of three credits of BIOL 798 could 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 could 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. Concentration in Environmental Science and PolicyThe 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 will also contribute to the analysis and resolution of global problems such as deforestation, College of Arts and Sciences 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 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 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. 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 12credits are required that should 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. Students have the option to conduct either a formal thesis for three to six credits of BIOL 799 (master's thesis research) or a project for one to three credits of BIOL 798 (master's project research). 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 can be employment-related research or a comprehensive report resulting from an internship. 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. 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. Concentration in Bioinformatics and Computational BiologyThe concentration in bioinformatics and computational biology encompasses a study of the role of computation in science, mathematics, and engineering. Computational sciences is defined as the systematic development and application of computing systems and computational solution techniques to models of scientific and engineering phenomena; informatics is defined as the systematic development and application of computing systems and computational solution techniques for analyzing data obtained by experiments, modeling, database search, and instrumentation. Faculty from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, Mathematical Sciences, the School of Information Technology and Engineering, the Institute for Computational Sciences and Informatics, and the Institute for Biosciences, Bioinformatics, and Biotechnology contribute to instructional and research components of the concentration. For information on the Ph.D. in Computational Sciences and Informatics, see the "Institute for Computational Sciences and Informatics" chapter of this catalog.Admission Requirements Prospective students are encouraged to contact potential faculty advisors appropriate to their interests. The Biology Department and the Institute for Computational Sciences and Informatics 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 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, and 652. Category 3--Biotechnology: A minimum of seven credits, including BIOL 668 and CSI 739. Category 4--Individual program focus: A minimum of 12credits, including three credits of seminar (including BIOL 690), and six credits of research thesis (BIOL 799) or three credits of a project (BIOL 798). Students have the option to conduct either a formal thesis for which up to six credits of BIOL 799 may be earned, or a project for which up to three credits of BIOL 798 may be earned. The difference between the two options is the depth and sophistication of the work. Whereas a thesis normally involves original research, independent acquisition, and interpretation of data, a project could 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 program coordinator and is contingent on availability of program resources. Environmental Science and
The College of Arts and Sciences offers an
interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Public Policy.
This program is described under the section Environmental
Science and Public Policy in this chapter.
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