Biological Science - Program Advising E-mail

Hello Life Science and Biological Science Students,

I hope that the first quarter of the fall semester has gone well.

This is the third letter I send to you this semester.  It is arguably the most important.  There are courses that are required for your major - your program of study - and there are electives, courses you choose.  BUT – your choices matter.  I hope the following answers some questions you may have.  You can – and should – see a program advisor any time you have a question about what course(s) to take.  Program advisors are listed below.  Please touch base to discuss your academic plan every semester.

Math is required of all Biological Science students.  It is the language of research and applied sciences.

• Take a MATH course every semester! 
• Like any language, if you don’t use it, you lose it.
• It builds your confidence in applying math in your science classes.
• The Biological Science program accepts MATH courses at the level of Calculus II (MATH 171, MATH 182) or beyond (MATH 217, MATH 280, MATH 282, and MATH 284) for program elective credit.

If you placed into Calculus I, or when you complete MATH 165 (Precalculus) you have two options. 

• Option 1 is to take MATH 181: Calculus I.  This is a traditional calculus course for science, math, and engineering majors. It is a prerequisite for MATH 182: Calculus II and for MATH 171: Calculus for Life Science II.
• Option 2 is to take MATH 170: Calculus for Life Science I followed by MATH 171. This calculus sequence is taught from a biologist perspective with examples and explanations describing biological systems. They provide a life science context for learning mathematics.  If you plan to go to University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) this is the option you should choose. UMCP prefers that you take MATH 170 & MATH171.

What other courses should you take?  The answer depends on what you want to do and where you want to go upon transfer.  Completing both semesters of a two course sequence is always recommended.

CHEM 131/132 are required for the degree.

CHEM 203: Organic Chemistry I and CHEM 204: Organic Chemistry II serve as program electives.  Typically, we encourage Life Science and Biological Science majors to take both semester of “organic” at MC.  We have fantastic faculty teaching these courses.

Physics is another option.  You have three physics series options.  I encourage you to talk to your program advisor. Your transfer plans and what math you have taken will influence the decision.

• Option 1 - PHYS 203/204 General Physics I & II.  Although some transfer institutions will accept these courses, many, including UMCP, require a calculus based physics; these courses do not satisfy their requirement.  You will be required to take a calculus-based physics course (paying higher tuition and textbook costs).
• Option II -  PHYS 233/234 Physics for Life Science I & II is your best option, especially you plan to transfer to UMCP.  These calculus-based physics courses are preferably accepted at UMCP and are taught using examples from biological systems. 
• Option III - PHYS 161/262 is also a good option.  Taking the engineering physic sequence also satisfies the calculus physics requirement at most transfer institutions.

Computer programming/coding is a skill that is broadly applied in research and by biological industries.  The Biological Science Program also accepts several computer science courses as program elective credit including:

CMSC 140: Introduction to Programming

CMSC 203: Computer Science I

CMSC 204: Computer Science II

Taking one or more of these courses diversifies your academic profile and may provide you with knowledge and skills valued by a future employer.

You don’t have to go this alone. Talk with a program advisor (see chart below). Talk with your advising counselor.  Talk with me.  Making smart decisions now will save you money and time in the future.

Program Advisors
Program	Germantown	Rockville	Takoma Park/ Silver Spring
Biological Science	Dr. Lori Kelman 240-567-6912	Dr. Antonio Del Castillo-Olivares 240-567-5406	Dr. Valerie Lantz 240-567-3989
Chemistry and Biochemistry	Dr. Don Newlin 240-567-7781	Dr. Thomas Chen 240-567-7633	Dr. Cory Newman 240-567-1413
Environmental Science and Policy	Dr. James Smith 240-567-6964	Dr. Victoria Schneider 240-567-5479	Dr. Alessandra Sagasti 240-567-6964
Biotechnology	Dr. Lori Kelman 240-567-6912

Have a great semester,

Jim

James Sniezek, Ph.D.
Dean of Instruction
Chemical and Biological Science
Montgomery College

240-567-1690

Advising in the Life Science Program

Course in three disciplines have been created that prepare our students to transfer seamlessly to the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) or to the Universities at Shady Grove (USG).  Maryland-bound students in the Life Sciences program should be strongly advised to fulfill UMCP requirements for the Biological Sciences majors by taking the following course sequences. These courses were developed in collaboration with UMCP faculty and are equivalent to required courses taken by UMCP students.

1)      Calculus for Life Science I & II (MC, MATH 170/171; UMCP, MATH 130/131)

·         Highlights the importance of  understanding  the fundamental concepts of Calculus through a life science lens

·         The College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS) at UMCP recommends our MATH 170/171 sequence over our MATH 181/182 sequence.

·         Students in the Life Science program are strongly encouraged to complete two semesters of Calculus. Take both semesters at MC! The approach and textbook will be the same.

2)      Physics for Life Science I & II (MC PHYS 233/234; UMD PHYS 131/132).

·         Preferred physics sequence for Biological Science majors.

·         Students on a pathway that allows them to complete their first semester of Calculus with at least two semesters remaining at MC, should be strongly encouraged to take the Physics for Life Science sequence prior to leaving MC.  Required in the junior year of the Biological Sciences program at UMCP and USG, students who are mathematically prepared will benefit from taking physics as part of their sophomore sequence.

3)      Principles of Biology III (MC BIOL 252; UMD BSCI 207)

·         MC’s BIOL 252 transfers as the third of three “Principles” courses at UMCP and provides the foundation for junior- and senior-level coursework at UMCP and USG. 

·         This course is a Biological Sciences program requirement at UMCP and USG (preferred over microbiology).  It is generally taken in the first semester of the sophomore year.

I encourage you to advise your students to enroll in these courses if appropriate.  Each transfer has specific and equivalent courses to UMCP and USG.  If you or your students have any questions or concerns about these courses, please feel free to contact me directly (240-567-1690 or james.sniezek@montgomerycollege.edu). Students are also encouraged to contact a Life Science Program advisor.  They are:  Dr. Gina Wesley, Rockville; Dr. Lori Kelman, Germantown; and Dr. Valerie Lantz, Takoma Park/ Silver Spring.

MATH 170 (Calculus for Life Sciences)-Transfer Advising Notes

MATH 170 - Calculus for Life Sciences I - 4 semester hours

Intended primarily for students of the life sciences.  An introduction to the major ideas of single variable calculus including limits, derivatives, and integrals of algebraic and transcendental functions; applications to the life sciences.  Credit may not be earned in both MATH 170 and MATH 181 .  Not intended for students of the physical sciences, engineering, or mathematics.  PREREQUISITE(S): A grade of C or better in MATH 165, appropriate score on mathematics assessment test, or consent of department.    For computation of tuition, this course is equivalent to five semester hours. Five hours each week.

UMCP - Change in Math requirements for Biological Sciences

The Biological Science Degree Program at the University of Maryland College Park will have a change in its Mathematics curriculum effective for those students who matriculate as freshmen at any college or university in fall 2009 or later.

The faculty at UM have designed a Calculus for Life Sciences sequence for Biological Sciences majors. At UM this course sequence will have the course numbers MATH130 & MATH131. Montgomery College does not offer equivalent courses to this sequence.

However UM will accept our MA 181 and 182 in lieu of this sequence. They will no longer accept our MA 160 and 161 for students matriculating fall 2009 and beyound.