Mission Statements & Program Goals

Mission Statement for the Biology Program

The Biology Program focus is on the study of life from an environmental, organismal, cellular, and molecular levels.  Using modern biological research techniques, students will develop skills required to address relevant questions in science and society. Through innovative curriculum, students will receive extensive knowledge, skills and abilities to pursue postgraduate education and/or a variety of careers through hands-on, inquiry-based laboratory experiences.

Biology Program Goals

The Biology program goals and student learning objectives are based on The “Vision and Change” document produced by AAAS with support from the National Science Foundation, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the National Institutes of Health, and the United States Department of Agriculture, and developed from input from over 200 Biology instructors.

1. To equip students with a broad yet strong conceptual foundation in the biological sciences
2. To equip students with technical and analytical skills employed in modern cutting edge biological research
3. To equip students with the skill of developing hypotheses and design approaches to evaluate information in biology
4. To equip students with an understanding of the role of science in society and the ethical conduct of research and science.
5. To provide students with opportunities for competency in communicating the findings of biological research effectively and to incorporate these findings into the existing body of knowledge in biology.
6. To equip students to undertake postgraduate training in the biological sciences or to embark upon careers in the biological sciences

Learning outcomes for Core Competencies and Disciplinary Practice Learning Objectives for Core Concepts for Biological Literacy (CCBL’s)

1. Explain how phylogenetic relationships demonstrate relatedness and ancestry of living things.
2. Explain how species evolve over time by processes of mutation, selection, and genetic change.
3. Explain how basic units of structure define the function of all living things.
4. Explain how inherited genetic and epigenetic information influences the location, timing, and intensity of gene expression.
5. Explain how living things have multiple mechanisms to perceive and respond to changing environmental conditions.
6. Explain how the growth and behavior of organisms are activated through the expression of genetic information in context.
7. Explain how a structure’s chemical and physical characteristics influence its interactions with other structures, and therefore its function.
8. Explain how natural selection leads to the evolution of structures that tend to increase fitness within the context of evolutionary, developmental, and environmental constraints.
9. Explain how biological systems grow and change by processes based upon chemical transformation pathways and are governed by the laws of thermodynamics.
10. Explain how biological molecules, genes, cells, tissues, organs, individuals, and ecosystems interact to form complex networks where changes in one component can impact other components.
11. Explain how organisms have complex systems that integrate internal and external information, incorporate feedback control, and allow them to respond to changes in the environment.

Learning Objectives for Core Competencies and Disciplinary Practice (CCDP’s)

1. Apply the process of science to biological questions.
2. Use quantitative reasoning including basic mathematics, graphing, and statistics to analyze biological data.
3. Use modeling and simulation to predict, make inferences about, solve problems, and communicate scientific data.
4. Apply biological knowledge to problems in other STEM disciplines and multiple fields of biology.
5. Communicate and collaborate with others who may have diverse backgrounds, skill sets, and perspectives within and external to biological disciplines.
6. Use scientific reasoning to critically analyze the impact of historical, cultural, political, ethical, and technological factors on the practice and conduct of science.

Mission Statement for the Science Education Program

The Secondary Science Education Program provides students with strong, foundational understanding of biology, chemistry, and physics principles and educational pedagogy skills. Through classroom learning, hands-on scientific research experiences, secondary school classroom internships, students will be competitive in a wide range of STEM careers including teaching science at the secondary level.

Science Education Program Goals

1. Train highly qualified secondary biology, chemistry, and physics teachers. 
2. Equip students with the knowledge to design and implement lesson plans that align with Maryland State Standards for secondary school science. 
3. Provide students with a broad yet conceptual foundation in biology, chemistry, and physics. 
4. To equip students with technical and analytical skills employed in modern cutting-edge biological research.   
5. To equip students with the skill of developing hypotheses and design approaches to evaluate information in STEM   
6. To equip students with an understanding of the role of science in society and the ethical conduct of research and science.   
7. To provide students with opportunities for competency in communicating the findings of STEM research effectively and to incorporate these findings into the existing body of knowledge in STEM.   
8. To provide students with the skills to be competitive in a variety of STEM-related careers.

Mission Statement for the Chemistry Program

The Chemistry Program is designed to provide students with a broad knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical principles, and experimental findings of Chemistry. Students will learn to apply chemical concepts to everyday life and to their career of choice.  Upon completion of this program, students will be prepared for postgraduate education or employment in government and industry.

Chemistry Program Goals

1. Provide students with a broad knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical principles and experimental findings in chemistry
2. Develop students’ ability to understand and competently apply chemical concepts to everyday life, and specifically in their chosen career path
3. Promote advanced scientific knowledge and skills to meet professional career demands
4. Prepare students for, and foster an interest, in a post-baccalaureate education in chemistry, pharmacy, research, health professionals, engineering, and other related fields in science.

Core Disciplines & Competencies (CDCs)

Students majoring in chemistry will:

1. Understand major concepts, theoretical principles, and experimental findings in chemistry
2. Utilize basic scientific research skills by conducting experiments, analyzing data, interpreting results and employing safe laboratory practices.
3. Utilize chemical instrumentation and other appropriate technology for analysis
4. Work effectively as a member of a diverse team
5. Employ critical thinking and effective problem-solving techniques in the classroom and in the laboratory
6. Communicate knowledge effectively in both written and oral expression
7. Utilize appropriate library and technological tools to conduct research and evaluate scientific

Program Learning objectives (PLOs)

1. Apply the scientific method to solve problems in chemistry topics.
2. Name and write formulas for chemicals.
3. Predict outcomes for chemical reactions and write balanced equations.
4. Perform chemical calculations involved in stoichiometry, thermodynamics, titrations, chemical kinetics, and chemical equilibrium.
5. Utilize chemical terminology to explain concepts.
6. Predict stereochemistry and structure of the products and mechanisms involved in chemical reactions.
7. Use software to gather and analyze chemical data.
8. Use laboratory equipment, instruments, and chemicals appropriately and safely in the chemistry laboratory.
9. Make and record observations and accurate measurements in the laboratory setting.
10. Communicate the results of laboratory investigations.
11. Interpret spectroscopy of compounds and assign structures
12. Plan organic syntheses with knowledge of chemo- and regio-selectivity
13. Explain how chemical and physical characteristics influence the properties and interactions of compounds

Mission Statement for the Bioinformatics Program

Bioinformatics is a multidisciplinary field that links biology, computer science, chemistry, and mathematics to forge important advances in the biomedical field. The Bioinformatics program will train graduates with a comprehensive skill set in applied science for future STEM careers. This training will enable students to communicate fluently with experts across these disciplines and have the skills necessary to apply computing tools to address contemporary biology and medicine problems. The Bioinformatics Program will enhance undergraduate's professional opportunities to pursue careers in academia, national labs, pharmaceutical, medical, or biotechnology sectors.

Program Goals

1. To provide education in the various Bioinformatics fields that will produce graduates capable of effectively participating in the workforce in the bioinformatics field.
2. Provide a broad knowledge of the structure and function of macromolecules and higher-order structures in biological systems
3. Understand and apply experimental and computational tools to model the structure and function of macromolecules
4. Identify the role of bioinformatics in biotechnology, medicine, and pharmaceutical development, while recognizing the ethical implications of bioinformatics on society.
5. To provide education that will prepare students to seek advanced graduate learning or certification in Bioinformatics or related fields.