Undergraduate Catalog 2011-2012

College of Sciences and Health Professions

Bachelor's Degree Programs

Biology (B.S.)
At-a-Glance

Admission to the major: Grade of C or better in BIO 202 and good academic standing in the College of Sciences and Health Professions

Minimum hours required for major: 72

Minimum hours required for minor: 16

Special programs: Honors program, Pre-Professional program (medicine, dentistry, veterinary science), B.S. Biology - Medical Technology program, B.S. Biology - Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine (with the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine), 4+1 B.S./M.S., Secondary Teacher Licensure program, and the Biotechnology Certificate program

Additional information: The Doretta Thielker Award is presented annually to outstanding graduating biology major(s)

Student Organizations: American Medical School Association / CSU Chapter, the Biology, Geology, Environmental Science Student Association; the Student Environmental Movement.

Advising for Biology majors: Biology and Medical Technology majors must discuss their program of study with the undergraduate adviser for Biology prior to registration each semester. Contact the Biology office at 216-687-2440 or bges@csuohio.edu to schedule an advising appointment.

Transfer students intending to major in Biology: Transfer students intending to major in Biology must meet, prior to registering for courses, with the undergraduate adviser for biology for evaluation of their transferred science courses. Contact the Biology office at 216-687-2440 or bges@csuohio.edu to schedule an advising appointment.

Required Grade-Point Average: To qualify for graduation, all Biology majors must have a cumulative GPA of not less than 2.00 across all CSU biology courses used to fulfill the major-field requirements. This is in addition to the university requirement of a cumulative GPA of not less than 2.00. Check the University Regulations section of this catalog to determine how a GPA is calculated.

Suggested Freshman Program: To minimize the time needed to complete the major-field requirements, academically proficient students are advised to complete the Introductory Biology (BIO 200/201 and 202/203) and the General Chemistry (CHM 261/266 and 262/267) sequences in their first year.

Description of program: The Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BGES) offers a comprehensive program providing the education and training necessary for careers in modern biological science, including the background for admission to graduate schools and to professional schools (medicine, dentistry, veterinary science). The Biology major provides a solid foundation in fundamental areas of biology while permitting sufficient choice in course selection that majors may explore and develop areas of interest within the field. Degrees offered include a B.S. in Biology (general , pre-professional studies, and honors tracks), a B.S. Biology – Medical Technology (with an affiliated school of medical technology), and a B.S. Biology/Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine (3+4 program with the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine). A Secondary Teacher Licensure program, a Biotechnology certificate, and a Biology minor are also available.

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Major-Field Requirements

Bachelor of Science (General Requirements)

Biology Core Courses (25 credit hours)

Biology Electives (at least 19 credit hours)

  • *BIO courses numbered 300 to 311 and not used as biology core courses can be used as biology electives. Return to Biology Core
  • Both BIO 390 and BIO 391 may be used once as a biology elective course.
  • Select from all biology courses numbered 401 to 497, with three restrictions:
    1. Only one course numbered 402 to 497 that does not have a 300-level course as a prerequisite may be used as a biology elective;
    2. A maximum of 8 credits of the following courses may be used as biology electives: BIO 496 and BIO 497.
    3. BIO 495 and 492 do not count as electives the first time taken.
  • A maximum of nine credits from the following list of courses may be used as Biology electives. EVS 454, EVS 455; HSC 381,422, 475, and 476 (students may not use both HSC 476 and BIO 426 as electives);CHM 332 /337 or 338; CHM 341; CHM 342; CHM 351; CHM 352; CHM 403; CHE 366; MTH 493; PHY 415
  • EVS 490, 493, 494 may be used as biology electives with permission of the biology adviser.
  • Check with the biology adviser (216-687-2440) for other courses that may be used as biology electives.

Chemistry Courses (16 credit hours)

Mathematics or Statistics Course (four credit hours)

One of the following courses:

Physics Courses (8 credit hours)

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Specific Tracks in the Bachelor of Science Program:

Pre-Professional Studies

The curriculum for the Biology major provides students with the knowledge to take the aptitude tests required for admission by most professional schools. A suggested program of study for premedical students might consist of the following courses:

All the specified courses (biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics) for the B.S. in Biology, including BIO 306 and BIO 308/309.

Suggested Biology Electives:

Additional course required by medical schools:

Suggested Additional Courses:

The COSHP pre-professional adviser coordinates a seminar program for all students at which representatives from professional schools (medical, dental, veterinary, etc.) discuss their program's admission requirements and procedures. Contact the COSHP pre-professional adviser at 216-687-9321 for an advising appointment and check the Pre-Professional Programs website (http://www.csuohio.edu/sciences/preprof/index.html) for the seminar schedule.

A Post-baccalaureate Program is available to individuals with a bachelor's degree who lack the minimal science requirements for graduate or professional schools. Pre-professional applicants should contact the COSHP advising center at 216-687-9321; applicants interested in graduate study in one of the BGES programs should contact the BGES graduate program director 216-687-2440. .

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Honors Program

Biology majors with junior or senior standing, who have grade-point averages of at least 3.00 overall and at least 3.20 in courses required for the Biology major, are encouraged to apply for admission to the Honors Program. The Honors Program requires a minimum of 8 credit hours of honors research and seminar, and a successful oral defense of the written thesis. Honors Program course credits count as Biology Elective credits.

Honors students will undertake three or four credits of research (BIO 490) in a supervising faculty member's laboratory on a project approved by the faculty member and by the Honors Program Committee. A written report on the research project must be defended before a three-person faculty review committee (BIO 491). Honors Seminar (BIO 492) must be taken twice, and an oral report on the project must be given as a research seminar when the student takes BIO 492 for the second time. Honors students do not take BIO 495. To remain in the program the student must sustain the grade-point averages required for admission to the program, as well as the approval of the faculty member supervising the student's honors research.

Upon successful completion of the honors program, the student will receive a certificate from the department, and a recommendation to the university for graduation with honors in Biology. For further information, contact the Biology office at 216-687-2440 or bges@csuohio.edu.

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B.S. Biology - Medical Technology

The Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences offers a program in medical technology that leads to a B.S. degree with a major in Biology. Students interested in the Medical Technology Program should contact the undergraduate adviser for Biology at 216-687-2440 or bges@csuohio.edu. Students enrolling in the Medical Technology Program have two options available to them.

Option I (3 + 1)

Option I consists of three years of study at Cleveland State University followed by one year of clinical laboratory training in an affiliated school of medical technology.  Students do not enroll at Cleveland State University during their year of clinical training, they enroll at the school of medical technology (note – this means that students are not eligible for financial aid from Cleveland State during this clinical year).  After completion of the clinical training, 32 semester credits are transferred from the school of medical technology to Cleveland State University and are counted toward the B.S. degree. The letter grades earned during the internship appear on the student's records, but are not included in the computation of the grade-point average. Students enrolling in Option I must complete the following courses:

Biology Courses (38 credit hours)

Mathematics and Physical Science Courses (20 credit hours)

Option II (4 + 1).

Option II consists of the successful completion of the B.S. degree with a major in Medical Technology prior to enrolling in an approved school of medical technology. This option is recommended for students who desire flexibility in training program choice, and increased options for career choice and career development. Students enrolling in Option II must complete the following courses:

Regardless of the route and option selected, students subsequently must be accepted into a school of medical technology approved by the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association in collaboration with the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences as part of the requirement for taking the certifying examination in medical technology. In the Cleveland area, there is one approved and active hospital school of medical technology affiliated with Cleveland State University. However, students completing the 4 + 1 option may attend any approved school of medical technology in the United States. Following satisfactory completion of their clinical training program, students are eligible to take the national certifying examination of the Registry of Medical Technologists (American Society of Clinical Pathologists) or of the National Certification Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel.

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B.S. Biology/ Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine (3+4 program with the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine)

The Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences (BGES) offers a joint 3 + 4 program with the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (OCPM). The program provides the education and training that will allow a Biology major to take three years of classes at CSU in preparation for admission to OCPM for the four-year Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree program. Particular courses taken at OCPM in the first year will transfer to CSU and apply to the completion of the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from CSU. Thus, a student will receive a four-year B.S. degree from CSU, and three years later (if successful), a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from OCPM. All other normal regulations for both the Biology major and the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine remain unchanged.  Biology majors should discuss this degree option with the undergraduate adviser for Biology.

Admission to OCPM:
If a student enters CSU with a high school GPA of at least 3.75, and either an ACT score of at least 29 or a SAT score of at least 1270, and if the student maintains a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2, then the student automatically will continue into the OCPM curriculum after three years at CSU and completion of the following 92-96 semester credit hours of CSU coursework:

  • 8 credit hours of General Biology & Lab
  • 8 credit hours of General Chemistry & Lab
  • 8 credit hours of Organic Chemistry & Lab
  • 8 credit hours of Physics & Lab
  • 6 credit hours of English
  • 52-56 credit hours of General Core / Elective courses.

If a student enters CSU with a high school GPA of less than 3.75, or has standardized test scores below the limits given above, or if the student does not maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2, then the student will enter the regular applicant pool for admission to OCPM. Such students must complete either the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and must have completed or be nearing completion of the 92-96 credit hours of CSU coursework as listed above..

Suggested Three-Year Program at CSU

Fall Semester, Year 1

Course

Credits

CSU requirement

OCPM prerequisite credits

CHM 261 General Chemistry I

4

BIO major

4 of 8 General Chemistry

CHM 266 General Chemistry Lab I

1

BIO major

 

BIO 200 Introductory Biology I

3

BIO major

3 of 8 Biology

BIO 201 Introductory Biology Lab I

1

BIO major

4 of 8 Biology

ENG 101 English I

3

English Composition

3 of 6 English

ASC 101 Freshman Orientation

1

Freshman Orientation

N/A

Semester Total

13

 

 

Spring Semester, Year 1

Course

Credits

CSU requirement

OCPM prerequisite credits

CHM 262 General Chemistry II

4

BIO major

8 of 8 General Chemistry

CHM 267 General Chemistry Lab II

1

BIO major

N/A

BIO 202 Introductory Biology II

3

BIO major

8 of 8 Biology

BIO 203 Introductory Biology Lab II

1

BIO major

8 of 8 Biology

ENG 102 English II

3

English Composition

6 of 6 English

General Education Elective

3 - 4

Non-U.S. or AALAME Arts & Humanities/Writing

N/A

Semester Total

15 - 16

 

 

Fall Semester, Year 2

Course

Credits

CSU requirement

OCPM prerequisite credits

CHM 331 Organic Chemistry I

4

BIO major

4 of 8 Organic Chemistry

CHM 336 Organic Chemistry Lab I

2

BIO major

N/A

BIO 302/303 Animal Biology & Lab

4

BIO major
[1 of 4 required 300-level courses]

N/A

MTH 147 Statistical Concepts OR
MTH 181 Calculus I

4

BIO major and
Mathematics

N/A

General Education Elective

3 - 4

Human Diversity
(suggested: HSC 305 Culture and Health)

N/A

Semester Total

17 - 18

 

 

Spring Semester, Year 2

Course

Credits

CSU requirement

OCPM prerequisite credits

CHM 332 Organic Chemistry II

4

N/A

8 of 8 Organic Chemistry

CHM 337 Organic Chemistry Lab. II
or an elective

2

N/A

N/A

MTH 182 Calculus II
OR  MTH 347 Applied Statistics

4

Mathematics

N/A

BIO 310/311 Genetics & Recitation

4

BIO major
[2 of 4 required 300-level courses]

 

General Education Elective

3 - 4

African American Experience

N/A

Semester Total

17 - 18

 

 

Fall Semester, Year 3

Course

Credits

CSU requirement

OCPM prerequisite credits

BIO 495 Seminar

1

BIO major &Capstone

N/A

BIO 308/309 Cell Biology & Lab

4

BIO major
[3 of 4 required 300-level courses]

N/A

PHY 221 College Physics I

5

BIO major

5 of 8 Physics

General Education Elective

3 - 4

Social Sciences / Writing Across the Curriculum

 

General Education Elective

3 - 4

Writing Across the Curriculum

 

Semester Total

16 - 18

 

 

Spring Semester, Year 3

Course

Credits

CSU requirement

OCPM prerequisite credits

PHY 222 College Physics II

5

BIO major

10 of 8 Physics

General Education Elective

3

Arts & Humanities
(suggested: PHL 240 Health Care Ethics)

N/A

General Education Elective

3- 4

Non-U.S. or AALAME Social Science

N/A

Open Elective

4

Writing Across the Curriculum in the major

 

Semester Total

15 - 16

 

 

Mininimum total credits from CSU (assuming no foreign language deficiency) = 96
Total transfer credits from OCPM = 32
Total credits required for B.S. in Biology = 128

 

Matriculation Requirements:
Any student admitted to OCPM under this program may apply for a B.S. degree in Biology from CSU upon successful completion of the required first-year OCPM coursework listed below.

Courses transferred from OCPM to CSU:

Course number

Course title

Credits

BSC 111

Gross Anatomy

8

BSC 112

Histology

6

BSC 113

Biochemistry

6

BSC 125

Neurobiology

3

BSC 126

Physiology

6

BSC 127

Basic Microbiology & Immunology

3

 

Second-year OCPM courses that can be transferred to CSU, if necessary as electives:

Course number

Course title

Credits

BSC 216

Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

5

BSC 218

Pathology I

4

BSC 219

Pharmacology and Therapeutics I

4

BSC 228

Pathology II

4

BSC 229

Pharmacology and Therapeutics II

4

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Secondary Teacher Licensure

Students have the option of a single field licensure in life science or an integrated science licensure with a concentration in life science. Both licensure programs require coursework from the College of Science and the College of Education and Human Services. Contact the Biology adviser for required science courses for integrated science coursework. Contact the Education Student Service Center and CSUTeach for the education courses required for licensure or for information on the requirements for Post-Baccalaureate Secondary Teacher Licensure (216-687-4697 or JH 302).

Life Science Licensure

Biology Courses (40 credit hours)

Chemistry Courses (16 credit hours)

Mathematics or Statistics Course (4 credit hours)

Physics Courses (8 credit hours)

Geology Course (4 credit hours)

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Certificate Program: Biotechnology

This program prepares students majoring in biology or chemistry, or with a baccalaureate degree that includes many biology and chemistry courses, for entry into positions in the biotechnology industry responsible for development of new products and quality control. The certificate program is interdisciplinary and enhances majors in biology or chemistry by exposing students to areas of engineering and bulk processing that are important in the biotechnology industry. The certificate program is 16 credit hours of classes taken in the colleges of Science and Engineering.

Requirements for a Certificate in Biotechnology - Laboratory Track

  1. Prerequisites:
    • Either currently majoring in biology or chemistry, and completion of two semesters of Introductory Biology, and one semester each of Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Laboratory, Microbiology and Laboratory, and Calculus; or a baccalaureate degree that includes the following courses: two semesters each of Introductory Biology and General Chemistry, and one semester each of Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Laboratory, Microbiology and Laboratory, Organic Chemistry, and Calculus.
  2. Required Courses:

See the Certificate Programs section located earlier in the College of Science chapter of the catalog for additional information. Students in the Biotechnology Certificate Program are eligible to participate in the Cooperative Education Program through the Career Services Center even if they are not seeking a degree at Cleveland State University

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Biology Minor

A minor program of study in Biology consists of 16 credit hours. BIO 200, 201, 202, and 203 are required courses. The remaining eight credits must be 200-, 300- or 400-level biology courses. BIO 400 does not qualify for the minor program.

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