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Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Department
1200 North DuPont Hwy.
Dover, DE 19901 |
Luna I. Mishoe Science Center South, Room 101
Voice: 302-857-6510 | Fax: 302-857-6512 |
Chairperson: Dr. Leonard G. DAVIS
Professor: HELMY
Associate Professor: DAVIS, FONDONG, HARRINGTON, IVEY, LLOYD, MACBRIDE, MCGARY, WILSON
Assistant Professor: DHILLON, DRISKILL, MENNELLA, MENNELLA, VANGOLEN, WATSON
Adjunct: JARRETT, KAUR, LEVA, PATEL
Professor (Emeritus): OFOSU
The Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology provides a strong foundation in both traditional and modern areas of biology for students preparing for careers in the biological sciences and for further professional study at graduate, medical, dental, or other health-related schools. In partnership with the College of Education, we also prepare students for teaching careers in the field of biology. All majors in Biological Sciences and Biotechnology students are expected to attend seminars and participate in journal clubs and summer internships.
The goals of the Department enable students:
- To develop a clear and unbiased method of investigative thought;
- To develop an appreciation for and an understanding of the natural world;
- To develop a knowledge of biological principles that a modern citizen needs to make intelligent and effective decisions and adjustments to the demands of life;
- To be competent in communicating ideas and concepts;
- To succeed in advanced study and diverse careers requiring bioscience expertise.
Curriculum Options in Biology
BIOLOGY MAJOR: Biology is the study of living systems and includes how they are organized, how they function, how they grow, and how they interact with their surroundings. This degree program provides preparation for students planning to pursue a technical position that requires biomedical, environmental, organismal, or other positions requiring biological understanding and techniques. This degree utilizes electives to provide the flexibility to prepare students who are planning to attend advanced professional studies in graduate, medical, dental, or other health professionals.
FORENSIC BIOLOGY MAJOR: Forensic Biology is the application of the scientific principles, methods and techniques to situations of legal importance. The DSU Forensic Biology degree is a cross campus partnership to provide the diverse skills required of an investigator and requires students to take 9 courses in biology, 4 courses related to criminal justice, 5 courses in chemistry, one course each of statistics, psychology and drawing in addition to their general education requirements. The DSU Forensic Biology degree will provide students with the theoretical background and basic laboratory skills needed to pursue a career or advanced study in related fields.
BIOTECHNOLOGY MAJOR: Biotechnology is the application of the principles, methods and techniques of molecular biology to research and industrial applications. The program is fully interdisciplinary involving disciplines from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture, and Computer Science. The Biotechnology degree will require students to take the basic Biology requirements and then specialize in Biotechnology courses in addition to their general education requirements. This DSU Biotechnology degree will provide students with the theoretical background and basic laboratory skills in biotechnology needed to pursue a career or advanced study in biotechnology, and molecular biology related fields. Students with Junior Standing and a GPA of3.0 or higher may apply for the Biotechnology degree program. The GOALS of DSU's Undergraduate Biotechnology Program include:
- Training students with hands-on methods in the areas of biomedical, and agricultural research
- Introducing students to the social and ethical issues related to Biotechnology
- Educating the community on various issues in Biotechnology
- Graduating students with a solid background that will allow future careers in government, medicine, private industry, pharmaceutical, and public/private research laboratories
BIOLOGY EDUCATION MAJOR: This program is designed for students who plan to teach biology on the secondary level. All students in the Biological Sciences pursuing a bachelor’s degree (BS) at DSU are required to complete the General Education program as required of all students (See General Education Requirements). In addition, all majors in Biological Sciences must complete Biology 101‑102, 210, 215, 310, a research project, and biology-based seminar courses 299, 399, 499 and an additional 18 credits of student-selected advanced Biology courses. These elective courses are chosen with close faculty advisement. A grade of C or better is required in all Biology courses. In addition, the biology major must complete 5 courses in Chemistry, 2 in Physics, and meet Mathematics requirements. Biology students can satisfy the basic math requirement with College Algebra (25-121) and Trigonometry (25-122), but are encouraged to complete Calculus I and II (25-251, 25-252) [required for Graduate and Medical/Dental school].
A student must pass both 23-101 and 23-102 with a grade of "C" or better before taking 23-210 or 23-215. In order for a student to take any 300 or 400 level Biology Department course, they must also pass both 23-210 and 23-215 with a grade of "C" or better. These grade requirements take precedence over, and supersede, any other prerequisites for all 300 or 400 level Biology electives. The Department, University, and other academic offices provide support for our students, including tutoring and mentoring to facilitate your success.
Elective courses are grouped by subject area so that the student can obtain focused, in depth knowledge by selecting from one group, or a broader education by selecting electives across groups.
| Biological Systems |
Cell/Molecular Biology |
Organismal/Systems |
Cell Morphogenesis
Comparative Vert. Anatomy
Developmental Biology
Human Anatomy
Immunology
Neuroscience
Pharmacology
Principles of Physiology |
Advanced Cell Biology
Advanced Molecular Genetics
Histology
Investigative Forensic Biology
Microbial Physiology and Ecology
Microbiology
Molecular Genetics and Genomics |
Behavior
Ecology
Invertebrate Zoology
Plant Physiology (AGNR)
General Botany (AGNR)
Systemic Botany (AGNR) |
Courses in bold typeface should be taken in the junior year by anyone whose goal is admission to medical, dental or other health professional school. Courses that are underlined are highly recommended for any student applying to Graduate school in Biomedical or Cell/Molecular Biology fields.
Biometrics (23-321) is strongly recommended as an open elective for all Biology majors regardless of their career goals. In addition, Introduction to Bioinformatics (35-301) would be a valuable choice as an open elective for any student interested in Cell/Molecular Biology, Genetics or Microbiology. Note, that neither of these courses will count towards the 18-elective credits for Biology total. However, with advance approval from the Department Chairperson, up to one Biotechnology course (21-401 and 21-402 [Biotechnology Labs], or 21-200 [Principles of Virology]) can be used to meet the Biology elective requirement. Courses listed as offered in AGNR are acceptable as electives. With advisor approval, other career appropriate courses can be also substituted for the Biology elective requirement.
MINOR in BIOLOGY: For a minor in biology, eighteen (18) hours are required distributed as follows: Biology 101-102, 210 and six (6) hours of electives.
MINOR in FORENSIC SCIENCE: The DSU Minor in Forensic Science will require students to take courses in biology, courses related to criminal justice, a course in statistics, courses in chemistry (the specific number will depend on the student’s major). Students majoring in biotechnology, criminal justice, psychology or chemistry can add the Minor in Forensic Science to their degree program. Courses needed to add the Forensic Science minor to a Biology or Biotechnology major are:
| Course # |
Course Name |
Credits |
| 23-250 |
Forensic and Investigative Biology |
3 |
| 37-104 |
Introduction to Criminal Justice |
3 |
| 37-311 |
Law Enforcement |
3 |
| 24-202 |
Forensic Chemistry |
4 |
| XX-XXX |
Statistics |
3 |
| 36-201 |
Introduction to General Psychology |
3 |
| |
Total credits for minor: |
19 |
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