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AS Biology - Environmental Science

Program Codes: ASBIOEN
Associate of Science

The Associate of Science degree in Biology with a concentration in Environmental Science is for students who are interested in studying the intersection between humans and the natural world. Environmental Science integrates fields within the biological and physical sciences. Individuals who complete their associate degree in Environmental Science can work as technicians in governmental or private organizations. 

Program Outcomes:

 

• Critically analyze scientific information.

• Conduct scientific research or experimentation in a professional manner.

• Communicate scientific findings in a professional manner.

• Demonstrate knowledge in three major areas of biology: cellular and molecular biology (including genetics), ecology and evolution, and organismal biology.

Program Requirements:

Students must have completed 60 credits and earn an overall 2.0 GPA to meet graduation requirements. Students must receive a “C” or better in all major required courses. Students who wish to transfer to the Erie campus to complete a Baccalaureate degree must maintain a 2.5 GPA.

REACH (AS)
Mercyhurst - Associate Science REACH
PLANT SCIENCE
Course Code:
BIO 110
Course Group(s):
ANALYTICAL
Active Term:
Randomly
/ Randomly
Course Description:
An introduction to the study of plants including their biology and ecology. Topics include basic structure and function of cells and organs, plant growth and development, and systematics of higher plants. Emphasis is on the impact of humans on plant life and plant community structure. Does not fulfill Biology major requirements.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
Corequisites:

BIO 111

x
BIO 110
PLANT SCIENCE
3
PLANT SCIENCE LAB
Course Code:
BIO 111
Course Group(s):
ANALYTICAL
Active Term:
Randomly
/ Randomly
Course Description:
Laboratory and field studies of plant communities and the effects of humans on plant diversity within controlled community structures. Identification of higher plants is stressed as well as identifications of human, ecological and/or pathogen caused distress in plant systems.
Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lab
Total hours: 7.5
Corequisites:

BIO 110

x
BIO 111
PLANT SCIENCE LAB
1
ECOL&EVOL BIO OF ORGANISMS
Course Code:
BIO 146
Course Group(s):
ANALYTICAL
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:
Introduction to the ecology and evolutionary biology of organisms, including population growth, species interactions, ecosystem cycles, mechanisms of evolution, speciation, the diversity of life on Earth, and an introduction to population and Mendelian genetics.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
Corequisites:

BIO 147

x
BIO 146
ECOL&EVOL BIO OF ORGANISMS
3
ECOL&EVOL BIO OF ORG LAB
Course Code:
BIO 147
Course Group(s):
ANALYTICAL
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:

A laboratory course that elucidates concepts taught in BIO 146 from a largely experimental perspective.

Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lab
Total hours: 15
Corequisites:

BIO 146

x
BIO 147
ECOL&EVOL BIO OF ORG LAB
1
MICROBIOLOGY
Course Code:
BIO 200
Course Group(s):
BIOCHEMISTRY MAJOR ELECTIVE COURSES, UPPER-LEVEL BIO, FIELD STUDIES AND TRAVEL
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
The study of bacteria and other microbes with emphasis on their structure and function, ecology, biochemistry and research methodologies. The course reviews the biology of microbes and their use as biological and medical research tools. Prerequisites: BIO 142. Corequisite:. 3 credits.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
Prerequisites:
BIO 140 OR BIO 142
Corequisites:
BIO 201
x
BIO 200
MICROBIOLOGY
3
MICROBIOLOGY LAB
Course Code:
BIO 201
Course Group(s):
UPPER-LEVEL BIO, FIELD STUDIES AND TRAVEL
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
An examination of microbes in the biosphere. Microbial collection, culturing, product analysis, aseptic techniques and microscopy are emphasized.
Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lab
Total hours: 15
Corequisites:
BIO 200
x
BIO 201
MICROBIOLOGY LAB
1
PARASITOLOGY
Course Code:
BIO 294
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
The study of biology of parasitic and pathogenic microorganisms that cause harm and disease in other organisms, especially plants and animals. The parasites discussed in this course may include fungi, protists, viruses, roundworms and flatworms as well as the animals that act as vectors and intermediate hosts in the transmission of these pathogens from host to host.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
BIO 294
PARASITOLOGY
3
BIOLOGY CAPSTONE
Course Code:
BIO 297
Course Description:
A survey course that addresses current research and topics in biology and health sciences.
Credit:
1
x
BIO 297
BIOLOGY CAPSTONE
1
COLLEGE ALGEBRA
Course Code:
MATH 111
Course Group(s):
ANALYTICAL
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:

A course in algebra fundamentals, topics include sets, relations, functions, exponents and radicals, equations, inequalities, and polynomial and rational functions.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
MATH 111
COLLEGE ALGEBRA
3
TRIGONOMETRY & FUNCTIONS
Course Code:
MATH 112
Course Group(s):
ANALYTICAL
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
This course will include a further exploration of functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, trigonometry functions and additional topics in trigonometry.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
MATH 112
TRIGONOMETRY & FUNCTIONS
3
INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS
Course Code:
STAT 109
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to the uses of statistics and probability as decision and problem solving tools. Topics included are: measures of central tendency; variability; probability; counting, binomial distribution; normal distribution; confidence intervals correlation and regression; hypothesis testing, statistical inference, sampling techniques and experimental design. Prerequisite: MATH Placement score of at least 30.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
STAT 109
INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS
3
BIOSTATISTICS
Course Code:
STAT 137
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:

Whereas epidemiology is the science of public health, biostatistics is the "toolkit" of the epidemiologist and public health practicitioner with many applications across clinical, evaluation and research settings. Public health scientists must collect and use data to answer key questions about the effectiveness of interventions, monitor the health of populations and make decisions based on evidence. Buidling on a foundation of basic statistics, the course uses real-world health data and simulations to practice applying the same tools used by professional epidemiologists in the field and medical researchers investigating the causes of disease.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
STAT 137
BIOSTATISTICS
3
CELLULAR&MOLECULAR BIO
Course Code:
BIO 142
Course Group(s):
ANALYTICAL, CHEMISTRY MAJOR ELECTIVE COURSES
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:

Introduction to the biology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including the structure and function of membranes and organelles, especially mitochondria and chloroplasts. Also included are studies of the molecular structure and function of DNA, with emphasis on the organization of the eukaryotic genome, transcription and translation.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
Corequisites:

BIO 143

x
__ __
ELECTIVE
3

One (1) 200-Level Biology Level Elective

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