Mar 29, 2024  
2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


Biology Department

Biological Sciences Department



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Ellensburg
Science 338

509-963-2731
Fax: 509-963-2730
http://www.cwu.edu/~biology
See the Web site for how this program could be used for educational and career purposes.

Faculty and Staff
Chair
Paul W. James, PhD

Professors
Daniel D. Beck, PhD, physiological ecology and herpetology
David M. Darda, PhD, evolutionary vertebrate morphology, herpetology
Kristina A. Ernest, PhD, terrestrial and community ecology
Paul W. James, PhD, ecology and fisheries biology
Sheldon R. Johnson, PhD, zoophysiology, mammalogy (emeritus)
Robert E. Pacha, PhD, microbiology (emeritus)
Stamford D. Smith, PhD, entomology (emeritus,)
Lixing Sun, PhD, behavioral ecology and evolution

Associate Professors
Tom R. Cottrell, PhD, plant ecology
Holly C. Pinkart, PhD, microbiology, microbial ecology
Mary E. Poulson, PhD, plant physiology
Linda A. Raubeson, PhD, evolutionary biology and genetics
R. Steven Wagner, PhD, conservation genetics and herpetological science

Assistant Professors
Lucinda Carnell, PhD, molecular behavioral genetics
Jason T. Irwin, PhD, animal physiology
James E. Johnson, PhD, mycology, systematics
Ian J. Quitadamo, PhD, science education, cell and molecular biology
Daniel J. Selski, PhD, developmental neurobiology
Gabrielle Stryker, PhD, microbiology, immunology and parasitology

Lecturers
Clay Arango, PhD
Lucy Bottcher, PhD
Raymon Donahue, PhD

Staff
Jonathan Betz, instructional classroom support technician
Mary Bottcher, instructional classroom support technician
Darlene Boykiw, office assistant
Lee Longmore, engineering technician
Jody Scheffelmaier, science instructional technician
Kariann Taylor, secretary lead
Jeff Wilcox, engineering technician


Department Information
The Biological Sciences Department provides the biological component of the liberal arts education at the university. We promote student understanding of biological concepts relevant to the individual and society, and foster an appreciation of scientific inquiry. Evolution is the unifying theme of our curriculum. Our students obtain a broad education, covering a wide variety of biological disciplines. We focus on the student. Classes are small, facilitating hands-on experience, interactions with faculty and opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate research. We offer a full complement of competitive pre-professional programs, strong programs in regional field biology, and a quality program for secondary biology educators.

Admission Requirements
To be admitted to a biology major or minor, all students must:
1.    Meet with an advisor

Advisors are normally assigned by the biology department upon admission to the major. However, it is highly recommended that a student talk with an advisor well before being admitted to the major. Any biology department faculty member may serve as an advisor but different faculty members advise in different areas. Please meet with your advisor as early in your academic career as possible to begin planning your program.

2.    Meet the entry-to-major qualifications listed below:

  • Pass CHEM 181, 181LAB, CHEM 182, 182LAB, and CHEM 183, 183LAB
  • Pass BIOL 181, 182, and 183 OR BIOL 110, 111, and 112
  • Qualify for MATH 170
  • Register with the department and be advised by departmental faculty

3.    Complete and file an application to the major by the beginning of the junior year.

A formal application to the biology major must be submitted with your advisor’s approval. The entry-to-major qualifications must be met and application should be made by the beginning of the junior year. Application forms can be obtained from the advisor, the department office, or online at www.cwu.edu/~biology/forms/index.html.

4.    Complete and file a program of study by the end of the junior year.

To graduate, each student must have on file in the biology department and in the registrar’s office, an official Course of Study. The Course of Study documents a student’s individual degree program and lists the required and elective courses necessary for successful program completion. It is prepared by the student in conjunction with his or her advisor and should be approved by the student, advisor, and department chair at least one year prior to graduation. Students should meet with their advisor regularly to discuss their progress. Course of Study forms can be obtained from the advisor, the department office, or online at: www.cwu.edu/~biology/forms/index.html.

Student Scholarly Activities

The department is student oriented and provides a diversity of laboratory and field experiences. Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities.

  • Research activities: Students are encouraged to seek out a faculty member who is engaged in active research that complements the student’s career goals. Students who begin research early and continue it through their career in the department gain a better understanding of their profession and are more competitive in the job market or in graduate school admissions.
  • Field program: The department believes in the importance of exposing students to biological field experiences. In addition to those provided by regular courses, the department offers summer field courses and trips to biologically interesting areas during breaks between quarters.


Student Organizations

Biology Club: All biology students are encouraged to join the Biology Club. This student-run organization meets regularly to discuss academic planning and career opportunities in biology. The club performs service activities and plans recreational outings. See their Web site at www.cwu.edu/~biology/biologyClub/biologyClub.html.

Beta Beta Beta: BBB is the undergraduate National Biological Sciences Honorary Society. Students maintaining a high grade point average (3.0 or higher) are encouraged to apply.

Various organizations for students interested in health professions (medicine, dentistry, etc.) are available to provide information, support, and opportunities for service.

Fees
Laboratory or field fees are assessed for many of the department’s lab courses. These fees are used as partial support for purchasing lab materials or providing transportation costs.

General Consideration for Biology Majors and Minors

  • The biological sciences department must approve each student’s program at least one academic year preceding graduation
  • CHEM 181 has a prerequisite of high school chemistry and qualification for MATH 153. PHYS 111 has a prerequisite of high school algebra and trigonometry. PHYS 181 has a prerequisite or corequisite of MATH 172, 173, and 272. BIOL 360 has a prerequisite of MATH 153.
  • Credits earned in CHEM 181, 181LAB, and PHYS 111 will be allowed in partial fulfillment of the natural science breadth requirements as well as the requirements of the biology major or minor.
  • A maximum of 15 credits in BIOL 490 and BIOL 496 may be included in the major (as electives in the BS degrees).
  • A major in biological sciences incorporates classes from mathematics and other sciences. A full year of introductory biology and introductory chemistry is required for enrollment in upper division biology classes. The introductory chemistry sequence (CHEM 181, 182, 183) is pre- or corequisite to the introductory biology series (BIOL 181, 182, 183). Students are urged to complete these two introductory series in their first year or as early in their academic career as possible.

Graduation Requirements

  • You must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.25 in your major.
  • End-of-major assessment must be completed, usually in conjunction with BIOL 499S. This requirement helps to assess whether the department has fulfilled its instructional objectives and provides us with information that will enable us to continuously improve our programs and courses.
  • Application for the bachelor’s degree must be filed by the second Friday of the quarter preceding the quarter in which the degree is to be received. Complete instructions and deadlines are available in Registrar Services.

 

Programs 

• Biology Cell and Molecular Biology Specialization, B.S.
 Biology Ecology Specialization, B.S.
• Biology Major, B.A.
• Biology Major, B.S.
• Biology Minor
• Biology Organismal Biology Specialization, B.S.
• Biology Teaching Major, B.S.
• Biology-General Biology, B.S. (no specialization)
• Biology: Teaching Elementary Minor
• Biology: Teaching Secondary Minor
 
 

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