Physical and Biological Sciences

When you major in science at The College of Saint Rose, you won’t be just another number taught by teaching assistants in a vast university lecture hall. At Saint Rose, small classes and one-on-one relationships with full-time faculty members characterize our science programs. Your education will consist of a liberal education core curriculum, combined with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of science, capped off by hands-on training through research internships and field experiences. In addition, our science faculty members consistently emphasize undergraduate research.

PROGRAMS OF STUDY

THE SAINT ROSE DIFFERENCE
Here are a few reasons why Saint Rose should be your choice:

• Saint Rose science graduates are exceptionally well prepared to pursue their studies at institutions such as Dartmouth, Tufts, University of North Carolina, Johns Hopkins, to name a few.
• Saint Rose graduates receive fellowships for graduate school studies in the areas of molecular biology, biomedical research, biotechnology, genetics, chemistry, clinical chemistry, nutrition, pharmacology, toxicology, zoology, environmental sciences and other related fields.
• Saint Rose science graduates enter prestigious medical, veterinary, optometry, chiropractic and associated health-related professional research-oriented graduate programs.
• Saint Rose science graduates are employed in biomolecular, chemical, environmental, forensics, hospital, medical school, industrial and federal, state and local government laboratories.
• Saint Rose graduates in the medical technology and cytotechnology programs are placed in laboratories in varied locations all over the United States as successful certified technologists who receive high recognition for their work.
• Saint Rose undergraduate students are placed in internships/rotations in science research labs and are exposed to science resources in the Capital District area and beyond.
• Saint Rose undergraduate students can combine a science major with minors from disciplines such as mathematics, political science, psychology, art and business to prepare for careers in law, medical illustration, genetic counseling, technical writing, environmental engineering, public policy and others.
• Saint Rose science graduates in education, whether elementary or secondary, are leaders in schools and classrooms throughout the state and the nation.
• Finally, you can be assured that the cooperative efforts of a dedicated faculty at The College of Saint Rose will enable you to develop your potential, provide you with excellent preprofessional training for the science field of your choice and lead you to adventures of science inquiry beyond your expectations.

Natural Science Colloquia
The Natural Sciences Division Colloquia is a series of four lectures delivered each semester by prominent researchers and medical doctors on current scientific issues and laboratory investigations.

Natural Science Association
Being a science major at The College of Saint Rose also means being a member of the Natural Science Association (NSA), the student-organized club for science majors. As a member of NSA, you will participate in the annual science fair and help to host the Northeast Regional Science Olympiad.

SCIENCE CENTER
The College’s 27,000 square-foot Science Center is designed to provide the practical research laboratory experiences that will complement your coursework. This modern facility features a special lab reserved for student/faculty research, traditional and computerized classrooms, research labs and faculty offices.

RESEARCH AND FIELD EXPERIENCE
Regardless of which discipline you decide to pursue, our science faculty will encourage you to complete an internship because, while you will learn basic principles through your coursework, training gained through field experience will allow you to apply your knowledge and gain practical skills.

Field experiences are required for the following majors:

• Biology 7-12 education and chemistry 7-12 education majors complete a full-semester student teaching assignment;
• Medical technology majors complete a one-year clinical internship at Rochester General Hospital or Berkshire Medical Center Hospital;
• Biology/cytotechnology students complete a one-year clinical internship at Albany School of Pharmacy; and
• Environmental Affairs majors complete internships at nature conservatories or environmental laboratories.

Additional sites where students have interned include:

• Albany College of Pharmacy
• Albany Medical Center
• Albany Pine Bush
• Nature Conservancy
• New York State Audobon Society
• New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Laboratories
• Marine biology sites off the coasts of Florida and Hawaii
• The Forensic Investigation Center (Albany)
• Various university research centers including the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill; Albany College of Pharmacy; the University of South Carolina Medical School; and the James J. Howard Marine Science Laboratories.

CAREERS
As a Saint Rose science graduate, you will be able to choose from a range of career fields: biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, health care, hospital administration, research or teaching in middle or high schools. Saint Rose science majors usually find placement in their field immediately upon graduation and medical technology and biology/cytotechnology majors have 100% placement at graduation. Currently, many school districts in urban, suburban and rural areas are having difficulty hiring qualified science teachers, especially in chemistry and physics. Therefore, our science secondary education graduates are accepting teaching placements immediately upon, and in some cases before, graduation.

GRADUATE, MEDICAL, AND VETERINARY STUDY
With a bachelor’s degree in science from Saint Rose, you will be prepared to apply to medical, dental or veterinary school as well as pursue graduate degrees in areas such as ecology, microbiology, molecular biology or genetics. Biology 7-12 and chemistry 7-12 education graduates must complete a master’s degree within three years of teaching under certification. Saint Rose science alumni have been accepted to science programs at prestigious graduate schools including:

• Albany Medical College
• California Institute of Technology
• Dartmouth
• Johns Hopkins University
• New York Medical College
• Syracuse University
• Tufts University

This College is a living thing. All the men and women who have been part of this campus breathe something of themselves into it. For me, saint Rose was more than a college—it was a community of faith and of family. As Sr. Theresa Wysolmerski used to tell me—if you do what you love, you are bound to excel. So, choose the thing that engages your heart as well as your mind.

Tadesse Wuhib '87, MD
director of the Global AIDS program in Ethiopia for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

FACULTY/STUDENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
Members of the natural sciences faculty are active research scientists who often have students assist them with innovative scientific projects. Some current faculty/student research projects include:

Dr. William Hagan is work-
ing with undergraduate science students interested in the origins of life, through a research grant from NASA.

Sr. Theresa Wysolmerski, works with science majors interested in the use of computer technology in the biological sciences in creating, designing and constructing anatomy and physiology concept programs using varied multimedia techniques.

Dr. Ann Zeeh, directs undergraduate student research involving genetics and molecular biology.

Science Talent Scholarships
Science Talent Scholarships are available for students who demonstrate accomplishments and interest in science.

Deadline: In order to be eligible for the Science Talent Scholarship all materials must be received by February 1.

Our science programs give students an excellent preparation for either graduate work in science or the medical fields, or entry level positions in industry. Over 70 percent of all advanced degrees in science are awarded to students who received their bachelor’s degrees from small liberal arts colleges like Saint Rose.

Steven Strazza, Ph.D.,
associate professor of chemistry
Physical and Biological
Sciences Department

Outcomes
Our successful science graduates include:

Matt Mulligan '95
(Chemistry), engaged in dental research at the Forsyth Institute in Boston

Krista Kandere '98 (Biology/Chemistry), received a fellowship and is now a Ph.D. candidate in the biomolecular physiology program at Tufts University

Michelle Looney, D.V.M. '93 (Biology/Chemistry), veterinarian in private practice with an interest in exotic animals, Rowley, MA. Received her Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee.

Richard Dalaba '90
(Biology), registered nurse working with the organ donation program at Albany Medical Center.

Faculty
Steven Strazza, Ph.D.,
associate professor of chemistry

Harvey Alexander, Ph.D.
professor of biology

Linda Cooley, Ph.D.
assistant professor of biology

Mary Cosgrove, M.S.
instructor in biology

Eric Eslinger, Ph.D.
assistant professor of earth science

Kevin Gannon, M.S..
assistant professor of physical science

William Hagan, Ph.D.
associate professor of chemistry

Kari Murad, Ph.D.
assistant professor of biology

Theresa Wysolmerski, CSJ, Ph.D., professor emeritus

Ann Zeeh, Ph.D.,
associate professor of biology

Jacqueline Smith, Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor of Geology