Bachelor of Science in Applied Biological Sciences

The general concentration in Applied Biological Sciences offers students the opportunity to acquire a rigorous education in the biological and related sciences while at the same time providing flexibility to meet specific student interests. Students intent on pursuing research careers in biology and post-graduate studies may find this concentration appropriate particularly in the areas of wildlife ecology, restoration ecology and urban horticulture. Several faculty are actively working with students in the areas of applied molecular sciences and environmental biotechnology. In addition, the concentration is designed for students planning to enter professional programs in the health professions including animal health, medicine, medical technology, epidemiology, dentistry, physical therapy, public health and physician's assistant programs.

Goals for this concentration are to educate biologists who:

• Are capable of a broad-based approach to problem solving. Biologists should be comfortable drawing on other fields, like engineering or computer science, to advance their research. They also must be comfortable working as a team member, and understand that most breakthroughs occur where fields overlap and scientists work together.
  
  
• Are technically proficient at the bench, understand why and how equipment and procedures work, and are capable of designing new protocols to meet new needs.
  
  
• Constantly stay abreast of scientific advances. The best scientists actively read both broadly and deeply. Our students must understand the critical nature of the primary literature in their chosen field, but also the importance of keeping tabs on wide areas of emerging data and technology. Reading broadly will permit them to add new ideas and techniques to their research.
  
  
• Understand the societal and policy implications of their work, and are comfortable debating science in a context far beyond the technical details of their experiments.
  
  
• Are articulate in both oral and written communication. Communication is absolutely critical for success in any field, but particularly in the sciences. Students must learn to form cogent arguments and communicate them clearly.
  
  
• Understand that groundbreaking science requires both knowledge and creativity. We must formally acknowledge and foster creativity as a central theme of great science.