Biology

Introduction

The major program in Biology seeks to provide a solid foundation in the traditional discipline with courses such as Human Anatomy and Physiology, Genetics, Microbiology, Developmental Biology, Biochemistry, Plant Biology, Molecular Biology, and Evolutionary Biology.

Students may choose to major in Biology, Biochemistry, or Environmental Studies. In addition, students may minor in biology, or environmental studies. Students can also choose to follow the pre-health track within the major, which will help to prepare them for post-graduate programs in the medical field.

With several different teaching laboratories on campus, and a robust senior research program, you will get valuable practical experience as well as classroom time. There are also a variety of different internship opportunities, and Honor Society events, that may be explored.

Students that have decided to study in the Biology department at Manhattanville have gone on to complete medical school, dental school and other health-related programs, as well as work in research labs, aquariums and museums.

Degree

Bachelor of Arts. In addition to majoring in biology, students can choose to minor in biology or environmental studies.

Career Ideas

Biologist, Agronomist, Animal Scientist, Aquarium Curator, Botanist, Dentist, Forensic Science Technician, Geneticist, Horticulturalist, Microbiologist, Oceanographer, Pharmacist, Soil Scientist, Zoologist, Science Teacher.

Program Administrators

Nancy Todd, Department Chair, (914) 323-5121, Nancy.Todd@mville.edu

Faculty and Staff

Lab Manager

Jorge Cardenas, (914) 798-2715, jorge.cardenas@mville.edu

Full-Time Faculty

Wendy J. McFarlane - Comparative physiology, environmental physiology, marine biology/ecology

Nancy Todd - Ecology and evolution, anatomy, forensic biology, environmental studies

Anna Yeung- Cheung - Microbiology, virology, immunology, infectious disease, and nutrition in health & disease

Christopher Pappas - Molecular biology, genetics, nutrition, parasitology, microbiology

Adjunct Faculty

David Cassuto - wellness, sports medicine

Denis Liveris - biochemistry, molecular biology

Lisa Papernik – plant biology

Sunera Rahman - environmental science

Sally Markik - neuroscience, biostatistics

Volodia Georgiev - introductory biology

Linnea Vose - introductory biology

Galyna Sidyelyeva – introductory biology

Maxine Montello – conservation biology

Roger Bender - introductory biology

Anne Meore - horticulture

Overview

Students experience the breadth of the biological sciences with choice of such courses as Microbiology, Environmental Ecology, Global Environmentalism, Immunology, Molecular Cell Biology, Osteology, Vertebrate Biology, Parasitology, Plant Biology, Marine Biology, Nutrition in Health and Disease, and Anatomy & Physiology.

Early on in your time in the Biology Department you will get a faculty advisor and later a research mentor to help develop your skills and laboratory experiences so that you receive both a theoretical and practical education in biology. Along with your mentors, you will develop close ties to your fellow biology classmates that will stay with you long after graduation.

Biology Laboratories

The Department of Biology has laboratories for principles of biology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, biochemistry and molecular biology, environmental biology, and senior research. The laboratories are equipped with digital media capability. The greenhouse has been renovated and allows for additional experimentation. There is also a comparative biology laboratory housing reptiles and amphibians.

There is an environmentally-friendly “Eco-classroom” complete with an Ecomachine that filters water from the Holladay stream in the northeastern corner of the campus. The Eco-classroom is constructed of all recycled and green materials and is used for teaching, research and outreach. It is situated within the Ohnell Environmental Park, our “Living Outdoor Classroom” which is used for research and teaching and various interdisciplinary endeavors, and includes a composting project and organic garden. Students have the opportunity to use these laboratories and spaces for independent research as well as a variety of course-related activities.

Academic Integrity

The Department of Biology supports the mission of Manhattanville College by providing an environment conducive to greater academic and personal achievement for all of its students. The Biology faculty seek to promote a strong sense of mutual respect and fairness among all of the members, faculty, staff, and students of its department. The biology department has adopted a “zero-tolerance” policy regarding any form of academic dishonesty. All offenses will have severe consequences. The Biology Honor Code Contract outlines our code of conduct, and is distributed and discussed in every biology class. All students are required to abide by this code.

Laboratory Safety

To work in the biology laboratories, the department has set safety standards and regulations for use of the lab spaces. These rules are designed to ensure safety of students, staff and faculty members in laboratory settings. The Lab Safety Contract is a general guideline to follow, and is distributed and discussed in each biology lab class. In each laboratory session, there will be additional safety training and safety rules specific to the laboratory content and procedures. All students are required to abide by these rules, as they ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all.