Programs

The two main goals of the Biology and Health Science major(s)  are:
      1. to prepare students for graduate education and/or careers in the biological sciences, and
      2. to inform students of the methods of science and their use as a tool for understanding the

          natural world.

All students in the Biology and Health Science program begin their training with a common set of core classes that includes:
      •    two semesters of introductory biology

      •    two semesters of introductory chemistry

      •    one semester of general physics

      •    math (pre-calculus and statistics)

As a student progresses through this core, in consultation with their faculty advisor and the department faculty, he or she will select one of two degree tracks. Each of these degree programs has its own set of additional core courses and electives designed to prepare the student for his or her chosen area of interest.

      1.The B.S. in Biology  is for students interested in graduate school, careers in biological

          research, or a broad training in the biological sciences. The Biology core includes courses in 

          organismal, cellular/molecular, and ecosystems biology. 

      2. The B.S. in Health Science  is for students interested in a career in the allied health field. The

          Health Science core includes courses in nutrition, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and

          first aid, as well as an internship. After completing the core, students are encouraged to enter

          one of several career preparation tracks, including ones that will qualify students for graduate

          programs in nursing, physicians’ assistant, pharmacy, physical therapy, or medicine. New

          England College has articulation agreements  with area schools that can guarantee graduate

          admission from several of these tracks.

The department offers an extensive set of elective courses that allow students to delve more deeply into their areas of interest. Commonly offered elective courses include genetics, botany, ecology, New England natural history, evolution, molecular biology, zoology, comparative animal physiology, organic chemistry, and several others.

Students who are interested in biology but are not expecting to pursue an advanced degree in biology or health science may choose to develop, in consultation with the Biology and Health Science faculty, an Individually Designed Major (IDM) that allows them more flexibility in course selection. In the past, we have had students develop IDMs in Environmental Biology, Wildlife Biology, and Pre-Veterinary Biology.

Students interested in teaching biology should consult the Education Department Program  in Secondary Education for requirements.