Dr. Kristina Proctor, Dean

Academic Department	Majors	Minors
Biology	Biology (BS)	General Biology
		Professional Biology
	Applied Natural Science (MS)
	Biology (emphasis)
Chemistry	Chemistry (BS)	Chemistry Forensic Science
	Master of Science in Applied Natural Science (MS)
	Biochemistry (emphasis)
	Chemistry (emphasis)
Mathematics/	Mathematics (BA, BS)	Mathematics
Physics
	Physics (BS)	Physics
		Physical Science

The College offers high quality bachelor of science/arts degree programs that prepare students for a wide variety of traditional and modern career objectives including those requiring additional graduate or professional studies. The College offers a master of science in applied natural science (MSANS) with emphasis areas in biochemistry, biology, or chemistry that can be obtained separately or along with the bachelors’ degree in a combined five-year, 3+2 program.

Departments of biology, chemistry, and mathematics/physics provide versatile major programs with select options and minors characterized by appropriate solid fundamental science and mathematics curriculum, coupled with specialized and often interdisciplinary courses. Options within major programs and minors, provide preparation for future careers in areas as diverse as medicine, pharmacy, teaching (certification for elementary and secondary), forensic science, environmental health and technology, computational mathematics, biophysics, bioinformatics, and many others.

In addition to offering a modern and career-oriented curriculum, academic programs provide opportunities for faculty-directed undergraduate and master-level research, and internship with local companies, government laboratories and agencies. These experiences are critical to applied student learning and significantly enhance the success of graduates in gaining employment and acceptance into graduate and professional programs at the regional, state and national levels.

Academic programs in the College are housed in three newly renovated buildings, totaling over 149,000 gross square feet and $18 million in improvements including a technology enhanced infrastructure to deliver state-of-the-art instruction in both lecture and laboratory environments. Programs incorporate use of an impressive collection of advanced instrumentation and equipment in the curriculum, providing graduates advanced skills and a competitive edge within respective professions in our modern and technologically advanced society.


MASTERS DEGREE IN APPLIED NATURAL SCIENCE 3+2 PLAN (BS/MS)

A unique and distinct feature in the MSANS program is the 3+2 plan. The 3+2 plan gives qualified advanced-level undergraduate students the opportunity to simultaneously pursue both the baccalaureate (BS) and master of science (MS) degrees. With this plan students are moved quickly toward expanding their academic and scientific horizons based on the student’s abilities and personal motivation.

Students in the 3+2 plan are expected to successfully complete both the BS and MS degrees by the end of their fifth year in college; thus, they must have applied and been admitted into the MSANS program by the Spring semester of their junior year or the Fall semester of the senior year. Students applying to the 3+2 plan must have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA and a minimum 3.25 GPA in their subject emphasis area (biology, biochemistry, or chemistry - see below).

The application file for admission to the 3+2 plan must include:

1.	the completed application form;
2.	the CSU-Pueblo transcript;
3.	two letters of recommendation from CSU-Pueblo faculty; and
4.	GRE scores (students may be admitted into the 3+2 plan before taking the GRE, but they must submit the GRE scores by the end of their first year in the 3+2 MSANS program plan to remain in the program).

Before being admitted to the 3+2 plan, students are expected to have completed the following course work depending on the respective emphasis areas in which they have interest.

Biology emphasis:

Courses		Titles
BIOL	301/L	General Microbiology + Lab
BIOL	350	Mendelian and Population Genetics
BIOL	351	Molecular Biology and Genetics
CHEM	302/L	Organic Chem II + Lab
PHYS	202/L	Principles of Physics II + Lab
MATH	221	Applied Calculus
		OR
MATH	156	Statistics

Biochemistry or Chemistry emphasis:

Courses		Titles
CHEM	121/L	General Chemistry I + Lab
CHEM	122/L	General Chemistry II + Lab
CHEM	301/L	Organic Chemistry I + Lab
CHEM	302/L	Organic Chemistry II + Lab
CHEM	221/L	Inorganic Chemistry + Lab
		OR
CHEM	421/521	Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
PHYS	221/L	General Physics I + Lab
PHYS	222/L	General Physics II + Lab
MATH	224	Calculus & Analytical Geometry II

The core course requirements and all other requirements for the 3+2 plan are the same as for the regular MSANS program plan. Dual-listed courses taken by the 3+2 plan students as 400 level courses may be acceptable as electives to meet the minimum program course load requirements, with the permission of the specific course instructor and the MSANS Program Director. Like students in the regular MSANS program plan, students admitted under the 3+2 plan may chose either the thesis or non-thesis (internship) program option. 


BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Department Chair: McLean

Faculty: D. Caprioglio, H. Caprioglio, Diawara, Gabaldon, Herrmann, Martínez, Seilheimer

The major in biology leads to a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree. The biology major is sufficiently flexible for students to prepare for a wide variety of professional careers. Carefully supervised career planning is a fundamental strength of the program.

The student majoring in biology may plan to enter the workplace upon graduation or continue study in graduate or professional school. Biomedical Sciences emphasis encompasses prep for pre-professional programs including: pre-chiropractic, pre-forestry, pre-optometry, pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy, pre-pharmacy, pre-physician assistant, pre-podiatric medicine, pre-veterinary medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-medicine or pre-osteopathic medicine. Frequently, pre-professional study involves a combination of majors or a major and minor. For example, many pre-medical students choose a double major in biology and chemistry. 

Each of the pre-professional programs has an advisor who can provide detailed and current information about the undergraduate work, which the student should pursue to provide the foundation necessary for later entry into a professional school. The student should contact the specialized advisor as early as possible. A list of advisors is available in the departmental office (LS 210).

Biology majors also may seek teacher certification at the secondary level. Each student should obtain a written description of specific degree requirements from the appropriate education and biology advisors. Biology students who are considering attending graduate school should take one year of a foreign language and should plan to take the Graduate Record Examination during the senior year.

The biology department offers several emphasis areas:

• Basic Biology
  
  
• Biomedical Science
  
  
• Environmental Biosciences
  
  
• Cellular and Molecular Biosciences
  
  
• Biology/Chemistry Double Major
  
  
• Biology Secondary Certification 

Department Goals

• To prepare students to become productive, accountable and responsible employees upon entering the work force;



• To prepare students to enter and succeed in graduate or professional schools;



• To develop in students, a broad-based theoretical foundation supplemented by laboratory and field experience that allow individual observations, interpretations and applications; and



• To allow those students seeking a minor in biology to supplement and strengthen the major field of study.

• Students majoring in biology must receive a grade of C or better (2.000) in all core biology courses.



• Students graduating with a BS in biology must have at least a cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the major area. A cumulative GPA of 2.600 in the major area is required for admission to the teacher education program.



• Students majoring in biology must demonstrate computer literacy. This can be met by CIS 100, CIS 103 and CIS 104 courses.



• Graduates are required to demonstrate intellectual skills and knowledge in math and supporting sciences.
  
  
• Graduates are encouraged to complete a minor outside the biology department.
  
  
• Biology majors are expected to demonstrate a knowledge of basic laboratory tools used in biology for observation and analysis, phylogenetic relationships, relationships between form and function, and population/ecological dynamics.

See Basic Biology Emphasis above and consult with academic advisor for other requirements. Electives vary with professional area.

• Environmental Biosciences Emphasis

Consult with academic advisor for other requirements, which vary with emphasis.

• Cellular and Molecular Biosciences
  Emphasis

Basic Cellular and Molecular Biosciences

Outcomes Assessment Activities

Biology Majors
Assessment of students’ improvement in intellectual skills, knowledge and capacities from entrance to graduation will be accomplished through the use of several tools. Exams will be used as one measure of the student’s proficiency in writing skills, acquisition of knowledge, problem solving and laboratory skills. All majors will take a Senior Seminar that requires oral and written presentations. Seniors will also take the Biology Field Achievement Test, which measures Colorado State University-Pueblo students against national norms. In addition, each biology major will develop a portfolio, the responsibility of which will be shared by the student and the advisor. The portfolio will be initiated in the freshman-level career planning course and completed.

• To prepare graduates in the discipline of chemistry to become productive members of the profession whether they go on to industry, post-graduate education or other areas.



• To prepare students in the verbal, written and quantitative skills that are prerequisite to advanced study or careers in chemistry.



• To prepare students in the theoretical principals of chemistry as well as in the laboratory approach to problem solving.



• To maintain approval of the chemistry curriculum as defined by the American Chemical Society, Committee on Professional Training.



• To provide the opportunity for a variety of educational programs through the following:
  
  

• Students majoring or minoring in chemistry are required to have a cumulative GPA of 2.000 or better in their chemistry courses. In addition, students majoring or minoring in chemistry must receive a grade of “C-” or better in all core chemistry courses.



• Proficiency in physics, math and computer science is essential for understanding and applying chemical principles; therefore, graduates must complete approved math and physics courses with an overall GPA of 2.000 or better.



• The ability to think across disciplines contributes significantly to the educational experience as well as the application of chemistry as a profession; therefore, graduates must successfully complete an approved minor or area of concentration such that the overall GPA is 2.000 or better.



• Transfer students are required to earn a minimum of 20 semester credit hours in approved chemistry courses from CSU-Pueblo for graduation with a BS degree in chemistry. Transfer students wishing to minor in chemistry must earn a minimum of 10 of the 20 credit hours required at CSU-Pueblo.
  
  
• Students will be required to successfully complete American Chemical Society exams in general chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry and instrumental methods during the course of the chemistry degree curriculum.



• Students will be required to take an exit examination during the senior year, covering the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. An exit interview is also required.
  
  

• understand the concept of and be able to apply the scientific method to problem solution;



• understand classifications of chemical compounds, general reaction types and quantitative aspects of stoichiometry as applied to chemical reactions;



• apply basic knowledge of related fields such as mathematics and physics to problem solving, methods of analysis and use of numerical data in the chemical sciences;



• demonstrate a knowledge of basic laboratory skills, methods and equipment used in chemistry for observation and analysis of chemical systems;



• read, think and write critically and review current literature in the chemical sciences; and



• exhibit a comprehensive knowledge of the fundamental theories, concepts and skills necessary in the chemical sciences.

• Basic Chemistry Emphasis
  

• ACS Certified Emphasis

• Biochemistry Emphasis