University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

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At Pitt-Johnstown, you have two options available with Biology; Traditional Biology and Terrestrial Biology. The Traditional Biology major is designed to provide the student with a broad choice of courses allowing for a substantial amount of freedom for learning expression and program design. Outlined course requirements and careful consultation with advisors will provide the student with the needed requirements to enter most medically or health care oriented professional school or biology program. A wide range of electives allows the students to pursue specific areas of interest. The graduates of the Pitt-Johnstown Biology program have an excellent record of acceptance into professional and graduate schools.

The primary objective of the Terrestrial Biology option is to prepare the graduate to assume a role in evaluating the quality of the enviornment and in promoting its proper and useful functioning. The Terrestrial Biology option stresses a comprehensive scientific approach to studying the environment; therefore, it draws on other disciplines, such as geology, geography, economics, computer science, etc., to fully inform the students and prepare them to become articulate and well rounded participants in the current and future research and debates involving environmental issues.

Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Biology at the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown is to provide strong instructional and experiential grounding in the biological sciences for students in the three curricular tracks in the Biology major (Traditional, Terrestrial Ecology, and Medical Technology), for students fulfilling specific requirements in the Social Sciences, Education and Engineering Technology Divisions and for Nursing and Allied Health programs affiliated with Pitt-Johnstown, and for fulfilling General Education requirements for students majoring in other disciplines in the College of Arts and Sciences.

What can I do with a Biology degree?

Some students may want to continue with their education in hopes of being in the medical, education, or law fields. Our students have been very successful in being admitted into graduate and/or other professional schools. Students entering the workforce can find job opportunities with government agencies, research laboratories, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies.

What kind of courses will I take?

The courses listed below are only a small glimpse into the Biology courses available on our campus. To view the full list of Biology course descriptions, click here.

GENERAL BIOLOGY 1
A study of structure function and energetics on a cellular level, integrating biological systems and their control mechanisms. Required for all biology majors. A general chemistry or preparation for chemistry course is recommended as a corequisite.

MICROBIOLOGY
A survey of microorganisms with emphasis on bacteria and fungi. Cell and organism structure and function are discussed. Industrial and medical microbiology and taxonomy of microorganisms are included. Laboratory activities include observation and characterization of representative microorganisms.

CELL BIOLOGY
A detailed consideration of the structure and function of eucaryotic and procaryotic cells and viruses. Lecture emphasizes chemical composition of cells, cell metabolism, and the molecular structure and function of major cell organelles.