2015-2016 University Catalog
■ Biology
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Phone: 703-993-1050
Web: biology.gmu.edu
Faculty
Acting Chair: Rockwood
Assistant Chair: Otto
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Polayes
Director of Medical Laboratory Science Program: Verhoeven
Professors: Rockwood, Lawrey
Associate Professors: Birchard, Christensen, Edwards, Grant, Weeks
Term associate professors: Kocache, Madden, Otto, Polayes
Term assistant professors: Crerar, Davis, Fondufe, Forkner, Laemmerzahl, Luther, Olmo, Tondi, Verhoeven
Adjunct faculty: Beck, Blum, Buckley-Beason, Crerar, Edwards, Einhorn, Henley, Hermoso, Hunnell Israel, Jones, Kalifa, Kaushik, Lopez-Ocasio, Masterson, Monk, Simon, Skacel, Starolis, Van der Ham
Affiliate faculty: Coggins, Elsheikh, Firmani, Karrar, Lawton, Lowe, Mehta, Shoemaker, Verardo
The Department of Biology collaborates with scientists across many disciplines, such as the School of Systems Biology and the Environmental Science and Policy Department to offer a broad spectrum of coursework in the biological sciences to biology majors as well as to students in other departments, schools, and colleges.
Courses
The Department of Biology offers all undergraduate courses designated BIOL and MLAB in the Courses section of this catalog.
Undergraduate Degree Programs
The bachelor’s degree programs in biology provide a sound liberal arts 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 Mason allow 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 the Medical Laboratory Science, BS .
Additional information can be found at the Department of Biology ’s website or by visiting the department in Exploratory Hall, Suite 1200.
Advising
All biology majors are strongly encouraged to see an academic advisor regularly to help in planning their schedule so that they can graduate on time. Biology majors should see an advisor for permission to register prior to their first semester, again after completing 60 credits, and lastly after completing 90 credits.
Medical laboratory science majors must see the director of the medical laboratory science program to obtain permission to register each semester.
Students returning from suspension are required to meet with the director of undergraduate studies or designee prior to being allowed to register.
For more information on advising or to set up an appointment, visit the department’s website.
Residency Requirement for Transfer Students
Students majoring in biology are required to complete 16 credits in the major at the 300 and 400 levels at Mason in addition to meeting the university residency requirement of at least 30 credits at Mason.
Policy on Using Biology Program Laboratories
Only authorized experiments and exercises may be carried out in any research or teaching laboratory and must be done under the supervision of a university faculty or staff member. No unauthorized work is allowed in any laboratory.
Policy on Using Organisms in Classes
Direct observations of actual organisms are considered an essential part of learning biology at all levels. Direct observations of organisms may involve the use of living or preserved specimens, dissections of organisms or parts of organisms, and microscopic examination of organisms or parts of organisms. All use of live animals conforms to National Institutes of Health guidelines for the use and care of laboratory animals. Activities specified above may be a required part of a course and thus serve as a basis for grading in the course. Any questions about the administration of this policy should be directed to the course coordinator or instructor.
Honors Program in Biology
Admission Requirements
Minimum requirements for invitation:
- GPA in biology courses must be 3.33 or better
- GPA in supporting requirements (math and other science) must be 3.00 or better
- Grade of ‘B’ or better in BIOL 213
Students should apply for admission to the Honors Program during their first or second year at the university. Contact the Department of Biology for information on applying.
Retention Requirements
Students in honors biology must maintain a biology GPA of 3.33 or better and a supporting GPA of 3.00 or better from the time they have accumulated 30 hours and thereafter. Students who fall below this standard will be given a one semester probationary period in which to bring their GPA back up to the minimum standard.
Requirements to Graduate with Biology Honors
Students are required to take 6 to 8 credits in honors courses in BIOL including three semesters of BIOL 494 or two semesters of BIOL 494 and one semester of BIOL 493 . BIOL 498 may count towards one of the semester requirements of BIOL 494 . The GPA requirements are as follows:
- Minimum 3.33 GPA in honors biology courses
- Minimum 3.33 GPA in biology requirements
- Minimum 3.00 GPA in supporting requirements
- Minimum 3.00 GPA overall
Writing-Intensive Requirement
Mason requires all students to complete at least one course designated as “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300-level or above. Students majoring in biology fulfill this requirement by successfully completing BIOL 308 . Medical laboratory science majors fulfill the requirement by completing MLAB 300 .
Minor in Biology
Candidates for the minor in biology must complete 19-21 credits in biology with a minimum GPA of 2.00. A grade of ‘C’ or better must be earned in BIOL 213 before a student can advance to upper division courses. Note: eight credits of coursework must be unique to the minor. For policies concerning minors, see the Undergraduate Policies section of this catalog.
Premedical, Predental, Prepharmacy, and Preveterinary Students
Web: prehealth.gmu.edu
Many students planning to enter medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, optometry, or other health professional schools choose to pursue a major in biology. These students should consult the health professions advising web site on required coursework and overall preparation.
Teacher Licensure
Students who wish to become teachers should pursue either the Biology, BA with a concentration in education or the Biology, BS with a concentration in education, and consult the College of Education and Human Development section of this catalog and attend an information session early in their undergraduate career. For more information, visit the Graduate School of Education ’s website.
Biology for Non-majors
Students who are not majoring in science or mathematics and wish to fulfill their natural science requirement may enroll in BIOL 103 and/or BIOL 104 . With permission of the instructor, non-majors may enroll in BIOL 213 for further study. Chemistry, physics, and mathematics majors should consult their faculty advisor to determine which biology courses to take.
BS in Medical Laboratory Science
The Medical Laboratory Science, BS requires the equivalent of three years of full time professional study at the college level preceding a senior year of professional education in an affiliated school of medical laboratory sciences. All affiliated schools are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
Responsibility for applying to schools of medical laboratory sciences and gaining admission rests with the student; however, guidance is provided by the medical laboratory sciences program director. Admission to medical laboratory sciences schools is selective, so candidates should strive for strong academic standing. Students who fail to gain admission to a NAACLS-approved school are unable to complete the degree program. Such students may transfer to Biology, BA or the Biology, BS without loss of credits.
Application to medical laboratory sciences schools should be initiated about a year before the desired entrance date. This fact, coupled with the large number of required courses in the pre-professional curriculum, makes it imperative that students in the program consult regularly with their faculty advisor. All medical laboratory sciences majors and prospective majors are urged to enroll in MLAB 200 as early as possible. This course provides information on the profession, as well as 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 to 400-level biology or chemistry coursework taken at Mason. Students may present no more than 6 credits of ‘D’ grades in biology and chemistry courses required in three years of pre-professional 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 pre-professional 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 satisfying the Mason Core for the BS degree and completing MLAB 200 , candidates must present all courses in their pre-professional programs with a minimum GPA of 2.00. Students must earn a ‘C’ or better in core BIOL courses and must earn a ‘C’ or better in BIOL 213 in order to advance in the major. Because of the extensive professional education requirements stipulated by NAACLS, students majoring in medical laboratory sciences are exempt from the university-wide Mason Core requirement in ‘Arts’.
Major in Medical Laboratory Science as a Second Bachelor’s Degree
While the standard program for medical laboratory sciences 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 the Biology, BS or Chemistry, BS at Mason and then undertake a fifth year at a clinical affiliate may be eligible for a second bachelor’s degree with a major in medical laboratory science. Students wishing to receive the second degree must apply before entering their fifth year. For further information, contact a laboratory sciences advisor.
Student Clubs
A variety of biologically-oriented student clubs are available for students. Each club has its own website; for more information, visit the Department of Biology’s website. The Biology Club invites science majors of all kinds to participate in its activities.
Biology, Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Degree
Information regarding this accelerated master’s program can be found in the Biology, BS/Biology, Accelerated MS section of this catalog.
ProgramsUndergraduate Degree(s)Bachelor’s Level Certificate(s)Undergraduate Minor(s)
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