Nov 21, 2024  
Rensselaer Catalog 2016-2017 
    
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Rensselaer Catalog 2016-2017 [Archived Catalog]

Biology

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The undergraduate curriculum in biology is designed to prepare students for admission to graduate or professional school or to enter the workplace. Recognizing that flexibility is essential for students with specific interests and goals other than those spelled out in the traditional curricula, it is designed to leave many options open to the student. The following is a sample biology curriculum, completion of which requires a minimum of 128 credit hours.

First Year

Fall

  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring

  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4

Second Year

Fall

  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring

  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4

Third Year

Fall

  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • BIOL Biology Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring

  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • BIOL - Biology Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Elective Credit Hours: 4

Fourth Year

Fall

  • BIOL - Advanced Lab Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 1 below)
  • BIOL - Biology Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring

  • BIOL - Culminating Experience Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 2 below)
  • BIOL - Biology Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 3 below)
  • Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Elective Credit Hours: 4

Electives

Required courses are indicated in the template. Careful selection of biology electives and technical electives in the third and fourth years may contribute significantly to preparation for various professional goals. Technical electives include any pertinent courses in biology, other sciences, or mathematics.

Students who anticipate working on a senior thesis are strongly urged to take one of the advanced laboratory courses (BIOL 4710, BIOL 4720, BIOL 4740) in their junior year, since these courses offer excellent preparation for independent laboratory work and meet the communication intensive requirement.

Concentrations

Technical and free electives may be chosen to provide a concentration in biochemistry, bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, biophysics, biotechnology (genetic engineering), chemical engineering, computer science, environmental science, management, mathematics, microbiology, psychology, or technical communication. Program advisers should be consulted.

Footnotes

  1. Chosen from one of the following courses: BIOL 4320, BIOL 4710, BIOL 4720, or BIOL 4740. All courses are communication intensive.
  2. Chosen from one of the following BIOL courses: 4100, 4250 4260, 4270, 4310, 4350, 4540, 4550, 4630, 4860, 4870, or 4990 or one can fulfill this requirement by taking BCBP 4310, 4630, 4800, or 4870.
  3. One of the biology electives can be chosen from any of the following classes: CHEM 2440, CHEM 4300, CHEM 4330, any BCBP course except BCBP 4760, or any Biology course.

Note: Only four credits from the following courses are allowed as biology electives: BIOL 4970 - Non-thesis Research and BIOL 4990 - Senior Research Thesis.
  

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