Biology and Biochemistry

New discoveries and innovative technologies are pushing the boundaries of what we know about ourselves and the living world. Biological science graduates today need to be able to move into a diverse array of careers, from health-related professions such as medicine, dentistry and veterinary, to post-graduate study across a range of topics such as biotechnology, ecology, or animal sciences, to employment opportunities such as teaching or biological research. We train our students to have a strong, broad foundation in biology while providing numerous opportunities for students to develop specialized expertise and technical and research skills they need in order to be competitive applicants when they leave Alfred University.

Along with a diverse education in the liberal arts, the BA in biology curriculum facilitates double and co-majors in other disciplines and serves as solid foundation for many career choices. In our 4+1 program with the College of Business, biology majors may leave Alfred University with an MBA. Students interested in the intersection of biology and materials engineering may minor in biomaterials science in the Inamori School of Engineering. Many biology majors also earn minors or majors in chemistry. Those with interest in global and human ecology may participate in the interdisciplinary environmental studies program. An interdisciplinary minor in biopsychology allows majors in biology or psychology to understand the interrelationship of physical and physiologic systems. Students in other disciplines can complete a minor in biology or in biological anthropology, and our biology majors may have minors in a diverse range of STEM and non-STEM fields. 

The Division of Biology and Biochemistry offers two Bachelor of Science degrees. Built from the same foundation of knowledge as is required for our BA biology students, BS biology students will gain greater experience and knowledge by taking additional courses in organic chemistry, physics, and calculus. The BS in Biochemistry provides students with an interdisciplinary approach to solving current biological and chemical problems through courses in biology, biochemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, physics and calculus. These programs will meet the needs of students who plan to enter graduate or professional school in the natural agencies. The designation of concentration areas within the BS Biology major (Human Biology, Plant Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Molecular Biology, Animal Biology) reflects groupings of courses that are relevant to movement towards distinct subdisciplines in the biological sciences. 

We have a strong learner-centered focus throughout our curriculum. Students are engaged in course objectives through lectures, laboratory, fieldwork, activities, discussions, and seminars. Our core courses are sequentially designed and integrated to allow students to develop the technical and research skills needed so that they may participate as research collaborators. Our students ask questions, learn how to find answers, and are concerned about the world around them. Many students extend knowledge gained in their courses and design independent research projects, either in alignment with faculty research projects or to explore their own biological research questions. 

Scientific knowledge is used in practical applications throughout the curriculum, as most of our courses include experiential and applied learning opportunities. Several courses include CUREs – curriculum-based undergraduate research experiences – in which students contribute to and collaborate on novel research questions. Research intensive electives have enrollments limited to 6-8 students and are designed around investigative questions in the areas of animal behavior, biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology and plant biology, with each student focusing on related but independent research questions. Students enrolled in these courses have the opportunity to present research findings at regional and national meetings, or to participate in manuscript preparation. 

Upon completion of this program a student is able to:

1. Acquire, analyze, and synthesize fundamental knowledge of concepts and principles across all disciplines of biology
2. Demonstrate proficiency with equipment and procedures used in modern biological laboratory and field research.
3. Conduct research, construct hypotheses and/or research questions, and draw conclusions that connect new knowledge to existing knowledge.
4. Communicate principles as they cross boundaries of traditional biological disciplines by effectively communicating information in multiple formats, and by using revision to edit work for clarity, consistence, and coherence.