Alvernia is a Franciscan university dedicated to academic achievement, community service and the professional and personal fulfillment of our students. Biology classes are taught by dedicated faculty, committed to the ideal that scientific study is a human endeavor that actively works to improve our lives and to advance the world for a better and more sustainable future.
The biology program and its enthusiastic faculty are dedicated to providing students with a framework to excel in any biological field. Students work closely with faculty to develop their critical thinking skills and analytical techniques to be successful in their future careers as scientists. The biology program takes a multidisciplinary approach to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of fundamental scientific principles in mathematics, chemistry and physics. The laboratory spaces expose students to equipment and instrumentation for examining cells and tissues, isolating and manipulating DNA and protein, growing and analyzing microbes, and analyzing metabolites in plants and other organisms.
The Biology program provides students with a solid base of knowledge of fundamental biological concepts and principles, as well as the skills to put that knowledge to use in a variety of academic or professional pursuits. Every student within the program has an opportunity to experience real-world research by completing an internship at a company directly in-line with their career goals, or by completing an independent research project with a faculty mentor. The faculty within the department have a wide research background and encourage research students to create innovative research projects.
The Biology program also offers coursework that can give qualifying students an opportunity to enter the Reading Hospital Medical Laboratory Science program after completion of their third year at Alvernia. Students accepted into this program acquire their BS in Biology from Alvernia after successful completion of a year of clinical study. Alvernia University, in partnership with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), offers an early acceptance program that allows qualified students to enter into LECOM’s School of Dental Medicine, School of Pharmacy or Medical College upon completion of their degree at Alvernia. Specific guidelines and requirements are available from Dr. Ondra Kielbasa at ondra.kielbasa@alvernia.edu.
Biology majors can also enter into the 3+2 Physician Associate Program and have the opportunity to complete both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in 5 years. This format is appealing to and desired by high school students wishing to pursue a career as a physician associate.
Careers in Biology
Biology students have the opportunity to develop scientific skills and techniques within a challenging academic program that prepares them for opportunities in environmental science, biomedical research and the biotechnology industry, as well as graduate study in biology and a variety of health-related professions.
Biology graduates from Alvernia have pursued further study in podiatry, immunology, dentistry, optometry, medicine and education. They are employed by such reputable companies and research facilities as Pfizer Inc., Drug Scan, Johnson & Johnson, Church & Dwight, GlaxoSmithKline, Carpenter Technology Corporation, Thomas Jefferson University and The Graduate Hospital of Philadelphia, as well as by virtually every hospital in Berks County and many in Lebanon, Lancaster, York, Pottsville and Philadelphia. They serve society as physicians, dentists, teachers, pharmacists, research associates and technologists.
A sampling of employers of Biology Program graduates:
- Pfizer Inc.
- Drug Scan
- Johnson & Johnson
- Church & Dwight
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Carpenter Technology Corporation
- Thomas Jefferson University
- The Graduate Hospital of Philadelphia
- Reading Health System
For more information about careers in Biology check the American Institute of Biological Sciences’ website at www.aibs.org/careers.
Some biology students return to school after graduating from Alvernia to earn graduate degrees. Alvernia, in partnership with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), offers an early acceptance program that allows qualified students to enter into LECOM’s School of Dental Medicine, School of Pharmacy or Medical College upon completion of their degree at Alvernia. Specific guidelines and requirements are available from the Chair of Science and Mathematics.
- Curriculum
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All Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree.
Biology Major (79-88 credits)
Biology Core Requirements (32 credits)- BIO 103 Principles of Biology I w/Lab
- BIO 104 Principles of Biology II w/Lab
- BIO 221 General Microbiology w/Lab
- BIO 303/309 Genetics w/Lab
- BIO 304/311 Cell Biology w/Lab
- BIO 320 Ecology w/Lab
- BIO 402 Senior Seminar
- SCI 480 Internship -OR- SCI 406 Research I -AND- SCI 407 Research II
Related Requirements (33-36 credits)
- CHE 104/110 General Chemistry I w/Lab
- CHE 105/111 General Chemistry II w/Lab
- CHE 107 Laboratory Safety
- CHE 201/210 Organic Chemistry I w/Lab
- CHE 202/211 Organic Chemistry II w/Lab
- MAT 131 Pre-calculus (recommended)
- MAT 209 Probability & Statistics
- MAT 220 Math/Stats Computer Lab
- MAT 230 Calculus I
- PHY 200 Physics I w/Lab
- PHY 201 Physics II w/Lab
Biology Electives (14-20 credits)
- BIO 107/117 Anatomy & Physiology I w/Lab -OR-
- BIO 115/116 Human Form & Function w/Lab
- BIO 108/118 Anatomy & Physiology II w/Lab
- BIO 200 Medical Terminology
- BIO 203 Biosphere
- BIO 205 Botany w/Lab
- BIO 208 Neuroscience for Rehab
- BIO 211 Kinesiology w/Lab
- BIO 216 Nutrition
- BIO 315 Forensic Medicine
- BIO 401 Vertebrate Physiology w/Lab
- BIO 405 Pharmacology
- BIO 409 Immunology
- BIO 410 Pathophysiology
- BIO 430 Forensic Biology w/Lab
- CHE 401/410 Biochemistry w/Lab
- Faculty
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Research interests of Alvernia Biology faculty members include:
- Isolation and genome sequencing of wild microbes to search for novel antibiotics & antifungals
- Using environmental DNA (eDNA) to explore biodiversity & ecosystem health - from Alvernia's backyard to the Amazon rainforest
- Elucidating the neural basis of visually guided behaviors in frogs
- Examining the effects of various external factors on the differentiation of cells in culture
- The environmental impacts on plant growth and development
- The use of bioenergy crops as riparian and agricultural buffers
- The effects of nitrogen availability and carbon allocation to the cell wall
- Vitamin D intake and sources
- Pharmacognosy (the science of plants as medicine)
- The Effects of Macronutrients on Lipid Profiles and Cardiovascular Inflammation
- Environmental sustainability
You can visit the Biology faculty pages to learn more about research that might match your interests.
- Experiential Learning
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Through internships, students have opportunities to apply theories and knowledge learned in the classroom in a variety of professional settings. In addition to providing exposure to the activities and expectations of a real-world workplace, internship experiences help students develop their network of professional contacts.
As a biology major, you have the option to participate in at least 252 hours of biology-related activities at an off-campus location under the supervision of an internship sponsor. Internships normally are completed during the junior year. You need to have a 2.5 GPA to qualify for an internship.
Opportunities include:
- Alliance for a Clean Environment
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Atlanta Semester
- Berks County Conservancy
- Berks Nature
- Bristol-Myers Squib Capital Internship Program
- Chicago Botanic Garden
- Conservancy of Southwest Florida
- Echo Hill Outdoor School
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
- Institute for Experiential Learning
- Institute of Paper Science & Technology
- Lehigh Valley Hospital
- National Science Foundation
- Newfound Harbor Marine Institute
- Philadelphia Zoo
- Rainforest Action Network
- Reading Public Museum
- Red Creek Wildlife Center
- Rodale Press
- Roving Nature Center, Inc. Schuylkill Riverkeepers
- Virginia Marine Science Museum
- PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
- Research Opportunities
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In addition to real-world learning, biology majors can also benefit from research opportunities. Two research courses will introduce you to the fundamentals of research, prepare you to participate in an ongoing research project under the direction of a research mentor, and teach you how to interpret and disseminate data collected during the project.
Research I (SCI 406) is the first of two courses in the student research sequence. Students will develop a research project with a faculty member of their choice. This course will focus on a literature review, developing a research plan, conducting experiments and interpreting results.
Research II (SCI 407) is the second of two courses in the student research sequence. Students will continue to work the research project with the faculty member of their choice from the previous semester; this will include completing any final experiments and wrapping-up their research project. Students will work to formulate conclusions and output their data in a presentable research format. - Tuition
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To determine the cost of this program, please visit our Tuition page. For a personalized estimate, please contact an admissions counselor at 610-790-8269 or at admissions@alvernia.edu.
- Financial Aid
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Alvernia offers loan, grants, scholarships, and payment plans. Our admissions counselors can help you identify the aid that is available to you and for your program. For more information, visit our Financial Aid page.
- Accreditation
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All programs offered by Alvernia University are approved by the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
Learn More
For more information about Alvernia’s Biology Program, please contact the Admissions Office at 1-888-ALVERNIA or 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu, or reach out directly to:
Dr. Eric Recktenwald
Interim Science Department Chair
Bernardine Hall 120
610.796.8247
