Natural Sciences

Academic Departments and Program Requirements

Natural Sciences

Related Pages

Sister Rose Mulligan, Department Chair, Program Director—Chemistry

Kelly Orlando, Program Director—Biology

Faculty

Melissa Carpenter
Daniel Ginsburg
Elie Hsiao
Stephen Mason
Sister Rose Mulligan
James K. Murray, Jr.
Kelly A. Orlando
Jean M. Shingle
Jiangyue (Luna) Zhang

Sister Susan J. Cronin, Emerita
Sister Ann Immaculata Gallagher, Emerita
Kathryn A. Lysko, Emerita
Francis Martin, Emerita
Barbara Piatka, Emerita

Programs Offered

Degrees - Majors

Associate of Arts (AA) in Biology

Associate of Science (AS) in Biology

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biology
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biology with Secondary Certification
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biology-Chemistry
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biology-Psychology
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Chemistry
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Chemistry with Secondary Certification
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Chemistry with Minor in Business Administration
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in General Science

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chemistry

Minors

Biology
Chemistry
Environmental Science and Ecology
Pre-Med
Pre-Vet

Biology and Chemistry Programs

Vision

The Biology and Chemistry programs of Immaculata University are guided by the University’s motto - “Scientia Floret Virtute” (Knowledge Flourishes in Virtue”). Aiming to meet the challenges of the world around them, our students learn to live this motto through engagement in our rigorous curriculum rooted in theory and application. Through faculty mentorship, our students learn to organize, collaborate, integrate, and problem-solve by creatively using their knowledge and skills thus ensuring our students are well-equipped for future study and careers.

Department Outcomes

Upon successful completion of department programs, students will be able to:

  • Apply the scientific method, utilizing statistics, models, graphs, and computers to analyze and interpret data and information;
  • Apply careful reasoning and critical thinking to accurate and effective oral and/or written communication;
  • Evaluate the ethical considerations of advances in the STEM fields and their interdisciplinary concerns;
  • Appraise and evaluate current STEM topics and develop, relate, and apply creative and analytical applications to those topics;
  • Exhibit knowledge and skills sufficient to facilitate success in future careers or further educational endeavors

Biology Degrees

Biology Program Outcomes

  • Employ a basic scientific knowledge of themselves and their surroundings.
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of living systems and biological concepts.
  • Exhibit proper and safe procedures for the setup of laboratory equipment and preparation of specimens.
  • Apply the scientific methods, use of statistics, models, graphs, computers and/or spreadsheets to the analysis and interpretation of data.
  • Evaluate the ethical considerations in modern biological research.
  • Develop skills in critical thinking and in written and oral expression.
  • Demonstrate understanding and appreciation of current topics in biological sciences.
  • Exhibit knowledge and skills foundation sufficient to undertake graduate studies, enter careers in industry and education, or enter training in the medical profession.

General Prerequisites

Students (except as noted below) must satisfactorily complete the following prerequisite sequence before taking any biology majors’ courses above BIOL 234):

  • MATH 203, 204 (Intermediate College Mathematics I, II)
  • CHE 101, 102 (Basic College Chemistry I, II)

These prerequisite courses can be taken simultaneously; otherwise, the MATH must be taken before the CHE.

General Prerequisite Exemptions

Students will be exempted from the prerequisite sequence if, in the previous five (5) years, they have:

  • completed a one-year high school chemistry course with a grade of B or higher –OR– satisfactorily completed a one-year college general chemistry course
    –AND–
  • satisfactorily completed a pre-calculus course in high school or college.

Progression Requirements

Students must satisfactorily complete the following sequence before taking any biology major’s courses (300 or higher) with a grade of C (2.0):  BIOL 233, 234 (Cell Biology; Genetics)

Biology majors must earn a grade of C (2.0) or higher in all biology courses taken to satisfactorily fulfill all major requirements. Students with a course grade below must retake the class with a two times limit.

Biology (AA)
(Associate of Arts)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: CHE 101, 102, 201, 202; MATH 101, 102; and sixteen (16) elective credits from BIOL 100, 200, and/or 300-level courses.

Biology (AS)
(Associate of Science)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:  BIOL 233, 234, 305; BIOL 307 or 309 or 366; CHE 103, 104, 211, 212; MATH 207 and 208.

Biology (BA)
(Bachelor of Arts)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: BIOL 233, 234, 305, 307, 309, 366; four (4) credits from 300-level biology courses (may take CHE 330 to fulfill this 4-credit requirement; taking both BIOL 209 and BIOL 210 can fulfill this 4-credit requirement; up to 3 credits of BIOL 391 and/or 392 can be used toward fulfilling this requirement); CHE 103, 104, 201 and 202 or 211 and 212; MATH 207, 208; PHY 203, 204; SCI 090 (six semesters), 250, 320, 396, and 397.

Biology (BA) with Secondary Certification
(Bachelor of Arts)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: BIOL 233, 234, 305, 307, 309, 366; four (4) credits from 300-level biology courses may take CHE 330 to fulfill this 4-credit requirement, taking both BIOL 209 and BIOL210 can fulfill this 4-credit requirement, up to 3 credits of BIOL 391 and/or 392 can be used toward fulfilling this requirement); CHE 103, 104, 201 and 202 or 211 and 212; MATH 207 and 208; SCI 090 (six semesters), 250; PHY 203 and 204.

Secondary Education Certification. Students preparing for a career in biology teaching will complete the requirements for the BA degree in biology as listed in this section. Specific Education Requirements: see Education section of this catalog.

Biology (BS)
(Bachelor of Science)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:  BIOL 233, 234, 305, 307, 309, 366; twelve (12) credits from 300-level biology courses (may take CHE 330 to fulfill part of this 12-credit requirement; taking both BIOL 209 and BIOL 210 can fulfill 4 credits of this requirement; up to 3 credits of BIOL 391 and/or 392 can be used toward fulfilling this requirement); CHE 103, 104, 211, 212; MATH 207 and 208; PHY 203, 204; SCI 090 (six semesters),250, 320, 396, and 397.

Biology (BA) - Chemistry (BA)
(Bachelor of Arts)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: BIOL 233, 234, 305, 307, 309, 366; four (4) credits from 300-level biology courses (taking both BIOL 209 and 210 can fulfill this 4-credit requirement; up to 3 credits of BIOL 391 and/or 392 can be used toward fulfilling this requirement); CHE 103, 104, 200, 211, 212, 304, 313, 314; 317, 330; one course, three (3) credits, from 300-level courses: CHE 310, 315, 318, 320, 326, 327, 331, 401, or 402; MATH 207, 208; PHY 203, 204; SCI  090 (six semesters), 250, 320, 396, and 397.

Biology-Psychology (BA)
(Bachelor of Arts)
(Cross-listed with Psychology and Counseling Department)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: BIOL 233, 234, 305, 309, one course (4 credits) from 300-level biology courses*; CHE 103,104, 201 or 211; MATH 207, 208; PSY 101, 206 or 307, 303, 311, 312, 313, 314, 320, 324, 360; PSY 208 or SCI 250; SCI 090 (6 semesters), 320; SCI 396 and 397 or PSY 418 and 419 (capstone experiences); and one course (3-4 credits) from Biology or Psychology 300-level courses.*

*BIOL 209/210, 391, 392, and CHE 330 cannot count as biology 300-level courses for this major.

General Science (BA)
(Bachelor of Arts)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: BIOL 233, 234, 305, 307; CHE 103,104; MATH 207, 208; PHY 203, 204; PSY 208 or SCI 250; SCI  090 (6 semesters), 122; three courses (9-12 credits) from BIOL, CHE, or PHY  200 or 300 level courses; 5 to 7 credits from BIOL, CHE, PHY, or SCI 200 or 300 level courses; and 2 credits in research/seminar courses (BIOL 391, 392;  SCI 396, 397; CHE 401, 402).

Biology Minors

Biology
(Minor)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: BIOL 233, 234; CHE 103, 104; MATH 207, 208; and one course (4 credits) from among the following: BIOL 305, 307, 309, 310, 323, 335, 340, 366.

Environmental Science and Ecology
(Minor)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: BIOL 113, 307, 340; PHI 220; PSY 208 or SCI 250; SCI 200.

Pre-Med
(Minor)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: BIOL 233, 234, 291 or 292, 309, 310 or 335 or 366; CHE 103, 104, 211, 212, 330; MATH 207, 208; PHY 203, 204; PSY 101; and SOC 345 or 263.

Pre-Vet
(Minor)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: BIOL 233, 234, 291 or 292, 305, 309, 335, 340; CHE 103, 104, 211, 212, 330 or BIOL 366; MATH 207, 208; PHY 203 and 204.

Chemistry Degrees and Minor

Chemistry Program Outcomes

Upon completion of courses in the chemistry program, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the physical and chemical processes of living and non-living systems at the molecular level;
  • Exhibit foundational knowledge of chemical concepts and develop analytical skills
  • Demonstrate awareness and understanding of historical and current topics in chemical sciences;
  • Exhibit proper and safe procedures for the setup and use of laboratory equipment, conduct experiments, and report the results in a meaningful manner;
  • Apply the scientific method, use of statistics, models, graphs, computers and/or spreadsheets to the analysis and interpretation of experimental data;
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the planning, development, and organization of research results;
  • Develop chemical literature research ability, scientific writing, and public speaking skills;
  • Exhibit the knowledge and skills sufficient to undertake graduate studies, enter careers in industry, government research, education, or enter training in the medical professions.

General Prerequisites

Students (except as noted below) must satisfactorily complete the following prerequisite sequence before taking any chemistry majors’ courses (CHE 103 or higher):

  • MATH 203, 204 (Intermediate College Mathematics I, II)
  • CHE 101,102 (Basic College Chemistry I, II)

These prerequisite courses can be taken simultaneously; otherwise, the MATH must be taken before the CHE.

It is possible to complete a course of study for a baccalaureate degree in chemistry in four years of normal full-time study from the time the specified prerequisites are met; students who need to take courses to meet the specified prerequisites may take longer.

General Prerequisite Exemptions

Students will be exempted from the prerequisite sequence if, in the previous 5 years, they have:

  • completed a one-year high school chemistry course with a grade of B or higher –OR– satisfactorily completed a one-year college general chemistry course
    –AND–
  • satisfactorily completed a pre-calculus course in high school or college

Progression Requirements

In order to continue as a chemistry major, students must:

  1. attain at least 45 credits by the end of the first semester of sophomore year with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0*;
  2. maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 averaged over the following courses or accepted equivalents: CHE 103, 104, 211, 212, and MATH 207and 208.
  3. earn a grade of C (2.0) or higher in all college mathematics and science courses taken to fulfill major requirements.
  • students with a course grade below C (2.0) must retake the class with a two times limit.

* Minimum GPA of 3.0 is required if also seeking secondary education certification.

Chemistry (BA)
(Bachelor of Arts)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: BIOL 233, 234; CHE 103, 104, 200, 211, 212, 304, 313, 314, 317, 330; one course (3 credits) from CHE 310, 315, 318, 320, 326, 327, 331, 401, or 402; COM 250; MATH 207, 208; PHY 203, 204; SCI 090 (six semesters), 250, 320, 396, and 397.

Biology (BA) - Chemistry (BA)
(Bachelor of Arts)

Please see Biology (BA)-Chemistry (BA) in the Biology section of the catalog for program requirements.

Chemistry (BA) with Secondary Certification
(Bachelor of Arts – Secondary Education Certification)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: CHE 103,104, 202, 211, 212, 313, 314, 317; one course (3 credits) from CHE 304, 310, 315, 318, 320, 326, 327, 401, or 402; MATH 207, 208; PHY 203, 204; SCI 090 (six semesters) and 250.
Secondary Education Certification. Students preparing for a career in chemistry teaching will complete all of the requirements for the BA degree in chemistry as listed in this section. Specific Education Requirements: see Education section of this catalog.

Chemistry (BS)
(Bachelor of Science)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: BIOL 233, 234; CHE 103,104, 200, 211, 212, 304, 313, 314, 317, 320, 327, 330, and three credits from either 401 or 402 combined; one course (3 credits) from CHE 310, 315, 318, 326, or 331; COM 250; MATH 207, 208; PHY 203, 204; SCI 090 (6 semesters), 250, 320, 396, and 397.

Chemistry
(Minor)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: CHE 103, 104, 211, 212, 313, 314, 330; one course (3 credits) from CHE 304, 315, 320, 326, 327, or 331; MATH 207 and 208.