The B.A. Program in Biology provides a foundation in the traditional disciplines in biology and chemistry within the context of a liberal arts education. Our goal is for students to achieve a basic understanding of the principles that govern living systems and the methods used to study them. Our program is appropriate for students who wish to pursue a career in basic sciences and health care. The program has established specific leaning objectives and all our courses focus on them. They are:
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- To master the course content.
- To demonstrate critical thinking
- To demonstrate the ability to write in the language of science
- To understand scientific methodology; to access research materials and assess the validity of these materials to critically read scientific literature
- To demonstrate the ability to think and reason quantitatively.
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Careers in Basic Research and Biotechnology
The Boston area is a major center of biotechnology and offers the possibility of exciting and productive careers. The Program has partnered with the Metropolitan College of Boston University to offer the Met’s Biotechnology Certificate as part of our major. Our students can graduate with a BA in Biology from Pine Manor and the Biotechnology Certificate from BU. The foundational knowledge in the biology program, coupled with the certificate prepares students for direct entry into research or biotechnology labs as research technicians. Students interested in pursuing an advanced research degree are competitive for entry into MS/MA or PhD programs upon completion of the BA in biology. Partnerships with the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Science of Tufts University provide research lab internship opportunities, and research faculty partners to teach upper level courses (see Pathways to Science and TEACRS tabs in upper right hand corner). Biology program faculty have been awarded research sabbaticals at Sackler.
Our students take advantage of the numerous summer research internship programs in the Boston area. These are competitive programs and interested students are urged to speak with their advisor at the end of the fall semester.
Careers in Clinical Medicine
The biology curriculum provides an education that allows students to pursue numerous careers in health care delivery. Students who earn a BA in Biology are strong candidates for direct entry into accelerated programs at nursing schools. Courses in our biology major provide all the prerequisites for those programs. The biology program has a 100% acceptance rate for graduates who apply to accelerated nursing programs for a BSN or MSN/Nurse Practitioner. Students wishing to apply to clinical schools such as medical, dental, or veterinary should declare this intent early and work closely with their advisor. Preparation for these clinical careers requires course work in disciplines other than biology (such as calculus and physics). However, most college graduates obtain employment in a research or health-related field, and apply to these programs after a few years. Finally, Biology graduates are well positioned to pursue numerous career paths within health care that do not involve specific clinical skills. These include such options as health care administration, community health delivery, public health care policy, and patient relations.
NSF BioScholars
The Program is the recipient of a second NSF S-STEM grant. The $600,000 award spans four years and provides scholarships and campus enrichment activities for biology majors identified as young women of promise in science.
Marine Studies Consortium Program
Pine Manor is a partner, along with other colleges and universities, in the Marine Studies Consortium. Courses are available to Pine Manor College students with sophomore status or higher and are taught at the member institutions; see the Consortium website for times and location. Enrollment in these courses is limited to four students each semester. Students interested in the Consortium should consult with Professor Elizabeth Gardner for permission to register for these courses.