Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 HillBook (Class of 2019) 
    
2015-2016 HillBook (Class of 2019) [ARCHIVED HILL BOOK]

Biology


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Faculty:

Department Chairperson:
Magdalena James-Pederson
Office: Shield’s Science Center 311
Phone: 508-565-1573
mpederson@stonehill.edu

Professors:
S. Mooney
M. Tyrrell

Associate Professors:
C. Almeida
B. Bleakley
M. James-Pederson
G. Maniero

Assistant Professors:
N. Block
K. Burkholder
N. Cyr
J. Dore
R. Hirst
K. Nolin
I. Pan
H. Yu
Instructors:
G. Hendricks
K. Trudel

Lab Instructors & Coordinators:
K. Mullen
E. Plada

Pre-Allied Health Professions Advisor:
S. Barry

Laboratory Director:
L. Gualtieri

Professor Emerita/Emeritus:
D. Peabody
R. Peabody

The Department of Biology offers both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts major as well as a minor in Biology.

Departmental Mission

The Biology Department’s curriculum provides balanced instruction across all areas of biology: molecular, cellular, organismic, evolutionary and environmental. Students completing the major are prepared for entry into graduate programs in the life sciences and professional programs in medical, allied health and environmental fields. The major also prepares graduates for direct entry into clinical, industrial, research, teaching, or government careers. Because the curriculum is part of a liberal arts degree, Biology majors also have the option of pursuing a wide variety of non-science careers.

Vision

The Department’s philosophy is that students learn by doing. Laboratory and fieldwork are integral to most courses. All students complete and present the results of a research project as a requirement for several courses. For qualified students who are interested in research, the learn-by-doing philosophy is extended through faculty-mentored research opportunities during the academic year and the Stonehill Undergraduate Research Experience (S.U.R.E.) program during the summer. Students participating in these programs collaborate directly with faculty and conduct independent research. Departmental interns have the opportunity to work in a wide variety of off-campus research and clinical facilities. These regional and international internships are available through enrollment in the Internship in Biological Sciences course and make it possible for students to gain hands-on experience in a wide range of areas.

Learning Outcomes

Majors in Biology will:

  1. Demonstrate a clear understanding of core concepts in cell biology, genetics & molecular biology, organismal structure and function, ecology and evolution.
  2. Demonstrate a clear understanding of how fundamental concepts in physics, chemistry, and math apply to living systems.
  3. Evaluate scientific information in the context of all philosophical, ethical and societal concerns of science.
  4. Demonstrate competence in fundamental laboratory skills, including ability to design experiments, to analyze and evaluate data, and to recognize bias.


The College supports the Biology Department’s effort to remain current in fields where rapid technological and theoretical advances have become the norm. The Department is committed to incorporating the best of the new into its curriculum without neglecting the classical areas of Biology, which remain critical to a broad, liberal arts-based education in the life sciences.

Pre-Health Professions

Students interested in pursuing a career as an allopathic (MD) or osteopathic (DO) physician, dentist, optometrist, podiatrist, chiropractor, or veterinarian should refer to Academic Life & the Curriculum  for information regarding Pre-Health Professions Advising.

Pre-Allied Health Professions

Students interested in any of the Allied Health professions (Physician Assistant, Registered nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physical Therapy, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Nutritionist, Pharmacy, etc.) should discuss the required courses with the Pre-Allied Health Professions advisor.

Cooperative Agreements with Post-graduate Programs in the Health Sciences

The Biology Department has developed a number of cooperative agreements with post-graduate programs in the Health Sciences. These agreements reserve a number of admissions slots in these programs for qualified Stonehill graduates. We have agreements with:

  • The 30-month Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences-Boston.
  • The 24-month Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences-Worcester.
  • The 16-month Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN) Program at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Worcester.
  • The 34-month Accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Program at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Worcester.
  • The three-year Direct Entry Nurse Practitioner program (M.S. in Nursing) at Simmons College.
  • The three-year Doctorate in Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) program at Simmons College.
  • The 15-month Post Baccalaureate Nuclear Medicine degree at Regis College.
  • The Biotechnology, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Public Health graduate programs at Northeastern University.

Please click here  for details regarding each of these agreements.

 

Programs

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