Department of Biological Sciences | University at Albany

Faculty

Distinguished Professor
Thomas Begley, Ph.D., University at Albany, SUNY
Marlene Belfort, Ph.D., University of California, Irvine
J. Andrew Berglund, Ph.D., Brandeis University
Melinda Larsen, Ph.D., Baylor College of Medicine

Professors
Thomas Begley, Ph.D., University at Albany, SUNY
Paolo Forni, Ph.D., University of Turin, Italy

Associate Professors
Cheryl P. Andam, Ph.D., University of Connecticut
Haijun Chen, Ph.D., Max-Planck Jena, Germany
Gabriele Fuchs, Ph.D., Witten/Herdecke University, Germany
Pan Li, Ph.D., University at Buffalo, SUNY
Aya Osman, Ph.D., University of Surrey
Morgan Sammons, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University
Annalisa Scimemi, Ph.D., International School for Advanced Studies SISSA/ISAS, Trieste, Italy
Hua Shi, Ph.D., Cornell University
Alex Valm, Ph.D., Brown University
Ing-Nang Wang, Ph.D., Stony Brook University

Assistant Professors
Soma Dash, Ph.D., University of Delaware
ChangHwan Lee, Ph.D., Dartmouth College
Kristyn Lizbinski, Ph.D., West Virginia University
Hannah K. Shorrock, Ph.D., University of Edinburgh, Scotland
Max Turner, Ph.D., University of Washington

Lecturers
Stephanie S.R. De Souza, Ph.D., Rio de Janeiro State University, Brazil
Elise Gervais, Ph.D., University at Albany, SUNY
Linda Mayerhofer, Ph.D., University at Albany, SUNY
Ryan Thurman, Ph.D., University of Arkansas

Adjuncts (estimated): 20
Teaching Assistants (estimated): 21

The objective of the department is to provide the undergraduate student with a broad background in the biological sciences and adequate supporting strength in the physical sciences. Accordingly, the B.S. programs listed here are structured around a combined major/minor sequence.

The department also offers programs leading to the M.S. and the Ph.D. in which the graduate student is able to obtain an in-depth professional education in one of several more specialized areas of biological sciences.

The Department of Biological Sciences strongly supports a student’s desire to enhance her/his educational experience by pursuing additional majors and minors. However, once a student has declared her/his major in one of the majors offered by the department (B.A. and B.S. in Biology, B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), the student may not pursue a second major in another program within the department. Should there be an extenuating circumstance requiring an exception to this policy, the student MUST take at least 24 additional credits for the second major.

Careers

The B.A. in Biology is a robust degree program designed to offer preparation for a variety of careers. Biology B.A. graduates may enter the workforce directly or pursue graduate training in fields such as education, law, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and healthcare administration. B.S. programs provide a strong background for further study in either graduate school or the medical field and prepare the student for secondary school teaching and a variety of careers in biology at the technical level. Graduates with a B.S. degree also can directly enter the workforce in technical-level positions with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies or as research assistants in government or academic positions. Those who go on to graduate or professional school have a wide array of career opportunities in research, healthcare, government, and business.

Advanced Placement Examinations

Students who have received scores of 5 on Advanced Placement exams in biology shall be allowed credit for ABIO 131 or 120, ABIO 130 or 121, ABIO 201, and ABIO 202, required of all majors. Students who have received scores of 3 or 4 on Advanced Placement exams in biology shall be allowed credit in either the natural science general education category or in the general elective category. No credit will apply towards the major or minor in Biology or the Interdisciplinary Studies major with a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology concentration.

Course Progression Restrictions

Students must complete ABIO 131 with a C- or better to register for ABIO 212Y and to register for ABIO 301. Students must complete A BIO 212Y with a C or better to register for A BIO 365.

Degree Requirements, Biology B.A.

Combined major and minor sequence consisting of a minimum of 57 credits.

Required courses:

ABIO 130 General Biology: Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics (3)
ABIO 131 General Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Physiology (3)
ABIO 201 Introduction to Biological Investigations I (1)
ABIO 202Z Introduction to Biological Investigations II (1)
ABIO 212Y Introductory Genetics (4)
AMAT 108 Elementary Statistics (3)
Select one of the following options:

ACHM 115 General Chemistry I and Lab (4)
ACHM 120 General Chemistry I (3) and ACHM 124 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
TCHM 130 Honors General Chemistry I (3) and ACHM 124 General Chemistry I Lab (1)

Select one of the following options:
- ACHM 116 General Chemistry II and Lab (4)
- ACHM 121 General Chemistry II (3) and ACHM 125 General Chemistry II Lab (1)
- TCHM 131 Honors General Chemistry I (3) and ACHM 125 General Chemistry II Lab (1)
Select one of the following options:

AMAT 112 Calculus I (4)
AMAT113 Calculus II (4)

Select one of the following options:

ACHM 220 Organic Chemistry I (3)and ACHM 222 Organic Chemistry I Lab (1)
APHY 105 General Physics I (3) and APHY 106 General Physics I Lab (1)
ABIO 213 Microbiology in Health and Disease (4)
ABIO 301 Molecular Cell Biology (3)
ABIO 330 Principles in Ecology and Evolution (3)

Select one of the following options:

APSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (3)
ASOC 115 Introduction to Sociology (3)

24 credits of 300 level and above biology major electives including two courses which are partially or exclusively laboratory courses

ABIO 301 and 330 may contribute up to a total of 6 credits of non-laboratory major elective credit
ABIO 399/399Z and 499/499Z may contribute up to a total of 4 credits of non-laboratory major elective credit.
Courses that do not yield credit toward the major are so indicated in the individual bulletin descriptions.
Major electives must be selected so that a total of 24 credits at the 300 level or above are included in the major.

Requirements for the Biology BS:

Combined major and minor sequence consisting of a minimum of 67 credits.

Required courses:

ABIO 130 General Biology: Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics (3)
ABIO 131 General Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Physiology (3)
ABIO 201 Introduction to Biological Investigations I (1)
ABIO 202Z Introduction to Biological Investigations II (1)
ABIO 212Y Introductory Genetics (4)
ABIO 301 Molecular Cell Biology (3)
ABIO 330 Principles of Ecology and Evolution (2)
ABIO 365 Biological Chemistry I (3)
Select one of the following options:

APHY 105 General Physics I (3) and APHY 106 General Physics Lab I (1)
APHY 140 Physics I: Mechanics (3) and APHY 145 Physics Lab I (1)
APHY 142 Advanced Physics I: Mechanics (3) and APHY 145 Physics Lab I (1)

Select one of the following options:

APHY 108 General Physics II (3) and APHY 109 General Physics Lab II (1)
APHY 150 Physics II: Electromagnetism (3) and APHY 155 Physics Lab II (1)
APHY 155 Advanced Physics II: Electromagnetism (3) and APHY 155 Physics Lab II (1)

Select one of the following mathematics pairs of courses:

AMAT 108 Elementary Statistics (3) and AMAT 111 Algebra and Calculus II (4)
AMAT 108 Elementary Statistics (3) and AMAT 112 Calculus I (4)
AMAT 111 Algebra and Calculus II (4) and AMAT 113 Calculus II (4)
AMAT 112 Calculus I (4) and AMAT 113 Calculus II (4)

Select one of the following options:
- ACHM 115 General Chemistry I and Lab (4)
- ACHM 120 General Chemistry I (3) and ACHM 124 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
- TCHM 130 Honors General Chemistry I (3) and ACHM 124 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
Select one of the following options:
- ACHM 116 General Chemistry II and Lab (4)
- ACHM 121 General Chemistry II (3) and ACHM 125 General Chemistry II Lab (1)
- TCHM 131 Honors General Chemistry I (3) and ACHM 125 General Chemistry II Lab (1)
ACHM 220 Organic Chemistry I (3) and ACHM 222 Organic Chemistry I Lab (1)
ACHM 221 Organic Chemistry II (3) and ACHM 223 Organic Chemistry II Lab (1)
15 additional credits in biology at the 300 level or above are also required, and must include at least 3 courses which are partially or exclusively laboratory courses.
- Credits in ABIO 399/399Z and 499/499Z may be used to fulfill the requirement for 1 laboratory course if the student completes at least 4 credits over at least 2 semesters. ABIO 399/399Z and 499/499Z may contribute a total of 4 credits towards the major.
- Courses that do not yield credit toward the major are so indicated in the individual bulletin descriptions.
- Courses in the combined major/minor sequence must include at least 6 credits at the 300 level and at least 3 credits at the 400 level or above.

Graduate courses are open to qualified seniors with appropriate departmental and instructor consent.

**Bachelor of Science in Biology Requirements**
Courses	Credits
A BIO 130, 131, 201, 202Z	8 credits
A BIO 212Y	4 credits
A BIO 301	3 credits
A BIO 330	3 credits
A BIO 365	3 credits
Biology major electives 300 level or above	15 credits
Chemistry	16 credits
Mathematics	7 - 8 credits
Physics	8 credits
Total	67 - 68 credits

Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major (BCAMB) is an Interdisciplinary Studies major (Biology and Chemistry) designed for students interested in these rapidly developing fields of science. Students with training in these fields can pursue careers as researchers in academic or industrial settings or they can pursue further study in graduate or professional schools. Students must complete 40 graduation credits before application to the program, generally in the spring of the sophomore year.

Admission: Students must obtain the approval of the Program Director before officially declaring this major.

Degree Requirements for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B.S.:

Combined major and minor sequence consisting of a minimum of 65 credits.

Required courses:

ABIO 130 General Biology: Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics (3)
ABIO 131 General Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Physiology (3)
ABIO 201 Introduction to Biological Investigations I (1)
ABIO 202Z Introduction to Biological Investigations II (1)
ABIO 212Y Introductory Genetics (4)
ABIO 365 Biological Chemistry I (3)
ABIO 366 Biological Chemistry II (3)
ABIO 367 Biological Chemistry Laboratory (2)
ABIO 425 Molecular Biology (3)
ABIO 426 Laboratory in Molecular Biology (2)
Select one of the following options:
- ACHM 115 General Chemistry I and Lab (4)
- ACHM 120 General Chemistry I (3) and ACHM 124 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
- TCHM 130 Honors General Chemistry I (3) and ACHM 124 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
Select one of the following options:
- ACHM 116 General Chemistry II and Lab (4)
- ACHM 121 General Chemistry II (3) and ACHM 125 General Chemistry II Lab (1)
- TCHM 131 Honors General Chemistry I (3) and ACHM 125 General Chemistry II Lab (1)
- ACHM 220 Organic Chemistry I (3) and ACHM 222 Organic Chemistry I Lab (1)
- ACHM 221 Organic Chemistry II (3) and ACHM 223 Organic Chemistry II Lab (1)
- ACHM 350 Physical Chemistry I (3) OR ACHM 444 Biophysical Chemistry I (3)
- ACHM 351 Physical Chemistry II (3) OR ACHM 445 Biophysical Chemistry II (3)
Select one of the following options:
- APHY 105 General Physics I (3) and APHY 106 General Physics Lab I (1)
- APHY 140 Physics I: Mechanics (3) and APHY 145 Physics Lab I (1)
- APHY 142 Advanced Physics I: Mechanics (3) and APHY 145 Physics Lab I (1)
Select one of the following options:
- APHY 108 General Physics II (3) and APHY 109 General Physics Lab II (1)
- APHY 150 Physics II: Electromagnetism (3) and APHY 155 Physics Lab II (1)
- APHY 155 Advanced Physics II: Electromagnetism (3) and APHY 155 Physics Lab II (1)
Select one of the following options:
- AMAT 112 Calculus I (4)
- AMAT 118 Honors Calculus I (4)
Select one of the following options:
- AMAT 113 Calculus II (4)
- AMAT 119 Honors Calculus II (4)
An additional course pair at 300+. Must be completed in one specific course pares listed below or 5 credits of supervised research.

ABIO 301 Molecular Cell Biology (3) and ABIO 302 Cell Biology Lab (2)
ABIO 301 Molecular Cell Biology (3) and ABIO 344 Mammalian Anatomy Lab (2)
ABIO 303 Developmental Biology (3) and ABIO 305 Developmental Biology Lab (2)
ABIO 309 Genetics Lab (2) and any 300+ ABIO lecture for 3 or more credits
ABIO 314 Microbiology (3) and ABIO 315 Microbiology Lab (3)
ABIO 335 Immunology (3) and ABIO 336 Immunology Lab (3)
ABIO 341 Neurobiology (3) and ABIO 342 Neurophysiology Lab (3)
ABIO 399 Undergraduate Supervised research for Juniors (5 credits over 2 semesters)
ABIO 410 Human Physiology (3) and ABIO 411 Human Physiology (2)
ABIO 478 Instrumental and Biochemical Analysis and 300+ Biology Lecture for 3 or more credits
ABIO 499 Undergraduate Supervised Research for Seniors (5 Credits over 2 semesters)
ACHM 417 Advanced Synthesis Lab (3) and 2 credit or more 200+ Chemistry or Biology Course
ACHM 425 Introduction to Undergraduate Research in Chemistry (3) and ACHM 436 Undergraduate Research in Chemistry (3)
ACHM 429 Instrumental Analysis (3) and ACHM 431 Instrumental Analysis Lab (2)
ACHM 447 Advanced Forensic Chemistry (3) and ACHM 448 Advanced Forensic Chemistry I Lab (2)

**Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology**
Courses	Credits
A BIO 130 131 201, 202Z	8 credits
A BIO 212Y	4 credits
A BIO 425, 426	5 credits
A BIO 365, 366, 367	8 credits
A CHM 115 or 120/124, A CHM 116 or 121/125	8 credits
A CHM 220, 221, 222, 223	8 credits
A CHM 444 or 350, 445 or 351	6 credits
A PHY 140 or 141 or 142, 150 or 151 or 152	6 credits
A MAT 112 or 118, 113 or 119	8 credits
Additional laboratory and elective credits	4 credits
Total	65 credits

Honors Program

The honors program is designed for outstanding students in programs leading to the B.S. degree in either Biology or in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Students may apply for admission to the honors program by submitting a letter of request to the departmental honors committee no later than April 15 of the freshman or sophomore year (for admission for the fall) or November 15 of the sophomore year (for admission in the spring). Junior transfers may apply at the time of their admission to the University. Students found acceptable by the committee must find a research adviser to supervise the independent study leading to an honors thesis.

The requirements for admission include: (1) the candidate must declare the major and have completed (or have in progress at time of application) 12 credits of course work required for the biology major, including A BIO 130 or 121, 131 or 120, 201, 202Z; (2) an overall grade point average of 3.50; (3) a grade point average of 3.50 in courses required for the major; and (4) a written recommendation from an adviser, professor or teaching assistant if possible. Primary emphasis will be placed on indications of academic ability and maturity sufficient for applicants to complete with distinction a program involving independent research.

Students in the program are required to complete a minimum of 65 or 67 credits as specified for the respective program for the B.S. and must include: (1) at least 6 credits of independent study (A BIO 399, 499); the independent study, or honors research project, which will result in an honors thesis; (2) at least 3 credits of course work at the 500 level or higher (not including A BIO 515) in the student’s area of interest; and (3) oral presentation of research at a public seminar.

Students in the program must maintain both a minimum grade point average of 3.50 overall and in biology courses taken to satisfy major requirements during the junior and senior years. The progress of participants in the honors program will be reviewed at the end of the sophomore and junior years by the student’s advisor and the departmental honors committee. Students not meeting academic and independent research standards may be precluded from continuing in the program during their senior year. These students may, of course, continue as Biology majors.

After completion of the requirements above, the departmental honors committee will make its recommendation to the faculty to grant the degree “with honors in biology” based upon (1) overall academic record, (2) performance and accomplishments of the independent study project(s), (3) the quality of the Oral Presentation (4) the evaluations of departmental faculty members who have supervised these activities.

Combined B.S./M.S. Program

The combined B.S./M.S. program in Biology provides an opportunity for students of recognized academic ability and educational maturity to fulfill integrated requirements of undergraduate and master’s degree programs from the beginning of the junior year.

The combined program requires a minimum of 138 credits, of which at least 30 must be graduate credits. In qualifying for the B.S., students must meet all university and college requirements, including the requirements of the undergraduate major described previously, the minimum 60-credit liberal arts and sciences requirement, general education requirements, and residency requirements. In qualifying for the M.S., students must meet all university and college requirements as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin, including completion of a minimum of 30 graduate credits and any other conditions such as a research seminar, thesis, comprehensive examination, professional experience, and residency requirements. Up to 12 graduate credits may be applied simultaneously to both the B.S. and M.S. programs.

An application, which must include the consent from a faculty member to serve as the research advisor, should be made at the completion of the junior year. A minimum grade point average of 3.20 is required as well as three letters of recommendation from faculty. Students accepted into this program must complete at least 3 semesters of ABIO 399/399Z and 499/499Z.

Although the Graduate Record Examinations are not required for this program, students are encouraged to take the examinations in their senior year with the expectation that they will continue graduate studies. The standard graduate application should be submitted to the Office for Graduate Admissions. For further information, please contact the Department Main Office.

Joint Seven-Year Biology/Optometry Program

This combined program sponsored by the State College of Optometry, State University of New York, and the University at Albany, provides students an opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in biology and a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) in seven years. Participating students will matriculate at the University at Albany for three years and begin their optometry studies in year four of the program. Students will be awarded the B.S. degree after completion of their requirements at the end of the fourth year.

At the end of the seventh year and completion of all program requirements, students will be awarded the O.D. degree.

Students interested in making application to this program shall submit the necessary materials to the Pre-Health adviser in the University’s Advisement Services Center by the stated deadline in the middle of the spring semester of the freshman or sophomore year (transfer students are ineligible). Selection will be based on written application materials, academic progress, and a personal interview.

A minimum of a 3.30 grade point average on a scale of 4.0 in undergraduate courses completed at the time of application is required.

Students will complete three years (90 credits) of study at the University at Albany with a major in biology for a B.S. degree. Students attend SUNY-Optometry (New York City, NY) for the fourth year of study (and pay SUNY-Optometry tuition), beginning the first year of the professional program. With the completion of the fourth year of study, the University at Albany will accept as transfer credits 24 credits of biology and 6 credits of physics electives, for a total of 30 credits. Students in this program should take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) in October or February of the third year at the University at Albany.

A minimum of 90 credits must be taken at the University at Albany. Summer course work completed the first and second year or between the second and third year at the University at Albany is acceptable for this program.

The following courses are required:

A BIO 130 or 121, 131 or 120, 201, 202Z, 212Y, 16 credits of biology electives* (of which 12 credits must be at 300 or 400 level)
A CHM 120 or 130, 121 or 131, 124, 125, 220, 221, 222, 223
A MAT 112, 108
A PHY 105, 106, 108, 109
A PSY 101

In addition to the General Education Program requirements, students are required to enroll in 10 credits of electives.

*The biology electives MUST be 300-400 level courses in biology that are designated as courses that count towards the Biology major. The following courses will not be used as biology electives: A BIO 303, 325, 341, 342, 365, 406, 410, and 411.