Biology

Biology, the scientific study of living organisms, occurs at multiple levels spanning from the ecosystem down to the molecular level. The biology curriculum at Misericordia University is designed to provide a diverse and solid background in various areas of the biological sciences. Students can major in biology or medical laboratory science. The biology department consists of faculty whose fields of specialization include marine biology, plant pathology, entomology, physiology, animal behavior, and molecular and cellular biology.

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Hear why Victoria chose MU!

Broad-Based Curriculum

Research Opportunities
from Freshman Year

Small Class Sizes

What Makes Us Different?

We help students on an individual basis
- Provide a nurturing environment
- Students have an individual advisor/mentor
- Work closely with student and other support services
Our campus is safe and well equipped
Our faculty and staff are friendly and helpful
We provide our students with opportunities to apply what they learn in the field and greater community

Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Science Center

Unique Features

Broad-based curriculum allows entry into a greater variety of professional careers
Curriculum promotes experiential learning (hands on investigative research experience from freshman year)
Highly qualified faculty (Ph.D.) trained in various areas of biology (from genes to ecology)
Small class sizes
Summer undergraduate research fellowship experiences
Opportunities to present research at regional and national conferences

Specializations

The Misericordia University Biology program exposes students to a wide array of sub-disciplines in Biology to prepare them to pursue many different careers in the biological sciences.

Students can elect one of five specializations in their BS Biology curriculum:

Pre-Physician Assistant

Biology BA/pre-PA Specialization

The Biology BA/pre-Physician Assistant specialization is designed for students who want a strong foundation in the biological sciences while completing prerequisite coursework commonly required for graduate Physician Assistant programs, including Misericordia University’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program.

This four-year specialization combines core biology and chemistry coursework with advanced study in anatomy and physiology, microbiology, genetics, and biochemistry. Students will complete courses required for application to PA graduate programs while also building the flexibility to pursue other graduate programs, laboratory careers, or health-related professional pathways.

Includes key PA prerequisites within the Biology BA curriculum
Features upper-level coursework in genetics, microbiology, comparative anatomy and general physiology
Provides a broad science foundation for graduate study or laboratory-based careers
Designed as an eight-semester, 120-credit pathway

Students interested in applying to Misericordia University’s MS in Physician Assistant Studies program should plan to apply at the end of April during their third year, with graduate admission beginning after completion of the four-year Biology baccalaureate degree.

Course Requirements

First Year / First Semester

Course	Credits
BIO 112 The Molecular Basis of Life	4
CHM 133 Chemical Principles	4
MTH 171 Calculus	4
WRT 101 University Writing Seminar	3
FYE	0
Semester credits	15

First Year / Second Semester

Course	Credits
BIO 113 Diversity of Genes, Species and Ecosystems	4
CHM 134 Chemical Principles II	4
MTH 115 Basic Statistics	3
RLS 121 Theology and the Quest for Meaning	3
Semester credits	14

Second Year / First Semester

Course	Credits
BIO 201 Organismal Structure and Function	4
CHM 243 Organic Chemistry I	4
PHY 221 General Physics	4
PHL 100 Introduction to Philosophy	3
Semester credits	15

Second Year / Second Semester

Course	Credits
BIO 202 Biological Interactions	4
BIO 200W Sophomore Bio Seminar	1
CHM 244 Organic Chemistry II	4
PHY 222 General Physics II	4
MI 106 Medical Terminology	1
Semester credits	14

Third Year / First Semester

Course	Credits
CHM 353 Biochemistry I	3
BIO 351 Comparative Anatomy	4
BIO 343 Microbiology	4
Core	3
Semester credits	14

Third Year / Second Semester

Course	Credits
BIO 341 Genetics	4
BIO 346 General Physiology	4
Core	3
Core	3
Core	3
Semester credits	17

Fourth Year / First Semester

Course	Credits
Track III Biology elective	4
Core	3
Core	3
Core	3
Core	3
Semester credits	16

Fourth Year / Second Semester

Course	Credits
COR 300 Core Capstone	3
Core	3
Core	3
Core	3
Core	3
Semester credits	15

Total: 120 credits for graduation

Pre-medical Health Professions

The Pre-medical health professions specialization prepares students for careers in the health professions, including medicine, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatry, chiropractic medicine, and dentistry. Students develop a strong foundation in the biological sciences to support their pursuit of graduate programs in the health professions. You will be required to take courses in Anatomy, Microbiology, and Cell Biology or Genetics.

Conservation Biology

Conservation Biologists work to protect the Earth's biodiversity and natural ecosystems by studying organisms, habitats, and ecosystems. The Conservation Biology specialization prepares students to apply biological principles to solve ecological problems. Students who elect this specialization will be prepared for careers in wildlife ecology conservation (Park Ranger, Wildlife Biologist with state and federal agencies, private consulting firms), or they can pursue graduate programs in conservation biology, ecology, and wildlife biology. You will be required to take courses in Genetics and Conservation Biology.

Cell and Molecular Biology

The Cell and Molecular Biology specialization explores the structure, function, and interaction of molecules to understand fundamental cellular processes that govern life. This specialization prepares students for careers and/or graduate studies in areas such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medicine. You will be required to take courses in either Cell Biology or Genetics and either Microbiology or Endocrinology (the study of hormones).

Integrated Organismal Systems

Integrative and organismal biologists study organisms from the cellular to the ecological level to understand how they function. In the Integrated Organismal Systems (IOS) specialization, students will learn how an organism’s systems work, and how those organisms are affected by and interact with their environment. This specialization will prepare students for careers in wildlife biology and management, paleontology, natural history institutions, and education, and to pursue graduate studies in any of these areas. You will be required to take courses in Anatomy and either Invertebrate Zoology or Plant Physiology.

Mission

Overview and Highlights

Upper level courses average around 12 students per class—allowing faculty to work with students on an individual basis.
More than 70% of graduates pursue careers in diverse fields of research and professional studies ranging from ecology to medicine.
Students have the opportunity to participate in faculty research with the Summer Science Research Fellowship, a 10-week grant funded program.

Fast Facts and Outcomes

Biology, the scientific study of living organisms, occurs at multiple levels spanning from the ecosystem down to the molecular level. The biology curriculum is designed to provide a diverse and comprehensive background in various disciplines of the biological sciences. The biology faculty fields of specialization include: marine biology, plant biology, entomology, physiology, animal behavior, and molecular and cellular biology.

What makes Misericordia’s Biology program stand out from all the rest:

Our Biology program has a broad-based curriculum promoting an experiential learning approach in all our courses, that prepares students to pursue a variety of careers in the life sciences.

Program degree options:

Bachelor of Science Biology (Biology Major – Research or non-Research)
Bachelor of Arts Biology (Pre-DPT)
Bachelor of Arts Biology
Bachelor of Arts Secondary Education/Biology
Biology Minor

Job opportunities for a Biology degree include the following fields:

Clinical Trial Director
Optometrist
Cytotechnologist
Chiropractor
Environmental Health & Safety Director
Neurologist
Lab Director/Manager
Biology/Science Teacher
Research Associate/Scientist
Staff Scientist
Counselor
Wildlife Biologist
Author/science writer
Physical Therapists
Histotechnologist
Pharmacists
Medical Technologist
Biostatistician
Physician
Dentist
Optometrist
Veterinarian
Physician’s Assistant
State Park Manager
Life Scientist for EPA
Hydrologist
Forensic Scientist

Research/internship/clubs and other opportunities available in:

Internships

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF Program)
External internships: Cornell University, Emory University,
Vanderbilt University, Brown University, University of Wisconsin-
Madison, Johns Hopkins University

Clubs

American Medical Student Association
Biology Club
Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society

Biology alumni have gone on to achieve employment at:

Physician, Internal Med, Reading, Pennsylvania
Physician, Family Med, Sports Med
Pennsylvania Game & Forestry Commission
Physician Assistant, Loma Linda University
Veterinarian, Wyalusing Animal Hospital
Physician Assistant, Dallas Family Practice
Research Scientist, Project Leader, Bristol Myers Squibb
Ph.D., Forensic Scientist, Faculty at Keystone College
Microbiologist, Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation
Assistant Scientist, Weis Center for Research
Ph.D., Program Coordinator, Healthcare Quality & Patient Safety
Quality Engineering Specialist, US Hydrations
Forensic Scientist Pennsylvania State Police Crime Labs
Ph.D., Scientist, Chief Scientific Officer, Alphagenomix Labs
Surgeon Anesthesiologist, US NAVY, Portsmouth Virginia
Green House in Disney World, Orlando, Florida

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Biology Lab Female Student — The Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology provides a solid education in the biological sciences and is ideal for students who wish to pursue a biology major together with a major or minor in another discipline. The B.A. degree requires fewer biology courses than the B.S. degree and supports students who are interested in transitioning into the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program and Biology/Secondary Education students.

Learn More

Biology student — The biology curriculum is designed to provide a diverse and solid foundation in various areas of the biological sciences. Given the rate and nature of the current advances, such a background requires a supporting foundation in the physical sciences, mathematics and the other liberal arts in order to adequately prepare an individual to pursue a career in the field of biology. A variety of opportunities exist for post-graduate employment in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, biotechnology, food, and chemical industries as well as in government agencies and universities.

Students may choose a B.S. in Biology with a Research or non-Research option.

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Biology lab — The secondary education program in Biology (BIO/SECED) is designed to prepare teachers of Biology for Grades 7-12. Our BIO/SECED program has been continually refined to keep pace with developments in the profession. A unique aspect of the program is that it prepares teachers to effectively deal with students with disabilities who are likely to be included in their classes. It is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and leads to a PA Instructional I certificate.

Learn More

Dr. DiPino Lab with Biology students — The minor in biology may be pursued by any student with an interest in the natural sciences. The 19–20 credit curriculum offers a broad background in the origin, growth, structure, and reproduction of living matter in its various forms.

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Biology Lab Tubes — A major in biology is provides a strong preparation for medical school and is quite common. For student wishing to pursue pre-medical preparation as a biology major, the follow sequence of courses is recommended:

Learn More

Academic Program Options

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B.S. Biology
B.A. Biology
B.A. Biology (Pre-DPT Specialization)
B.A. Biology (Secondary Education Certification)
Minor in Biology
Biology Pre-Med

Research

Students majoring in biology have the opportunity to participate in research through ongoing projects initiated by faculty, where three to four students are paired with and supervised by an individual faculty member. Students are invited annually to present their work at venues outside of the University, exposing their research to a more broad scientific community outside of the northeastern Pennsylvania region.

Research Internships

Research Internships

In addition to research performed throughout the academic year, students also have the opportunity to participate in research internships at academic institutions and organizations outside of the University.

Misericordia biology majors have held summer research internships at institutions including Johns Hopkins University, Emory University School of Medicine, Brown University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. These internships lead to careers in graduate school, medicine, veterinary medicine, optometry, forensics, physician assistant, and professional degree programs.

Students may also seek summer internship opportunities at organizations including the National Science Foundation, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIH).

Biology Faculty Co-Edits Journal Issue on Ancient Life

A special double issue of the Journal of Anatomy, co-edited by Dr. Mateusz Wosik (Biology, Misericordia University) and Dr. Greg Funston (Stony Brook University), shines a spotlight on the exciting field of paleohistology—the study of ancient body tissues.

The issue features 26 groundbreaking studies that use modern imaging to uncover how ancient animals—from early fishes to dinosaurs and mammals—grew, lived, and evolved. Beyond advancing science, the project fosters global collaboration and mentorship, giving early-career researchers valuable hands-on experience in the publishing process.

Explore the special issue →

The curriculum includes cognate courses in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. In addition, hands-on investigative research is integrated into the curriculum to provide students with more opportunities to conduct research projects and enhance their learning experiences. This curricular approach, in conjunction with the supporting courses required by the curriculum, provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare for a diverse array of career paths.

Elective Tracks

Students are required to take five electives with at least one elective from each of the elective tracks and any two additional electives.

Cell and Molecular Biology
Organismal Biology
Ecology and Evolution

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Program Goals

The biology program at Misericordia University emphasizes a broad foundational knowledge in the biological sciences and provides students with diverse upper level courses.

The program goals for the biology major are:

To provide a quality education in the biological sciences.
To stimulate a student’s innate curiosity for lifelong learning.
To develop an understanding of the scientific process and its application.
To provide the tools and promote knowledge for future opportunities and endeavors, and to develop involved members of the community.

Careers in Biology

More than 70% of our students who graduate from the biology program at Misericordia University pursue graduate careers in diverse fields of research from ecology to biomedical sciences and professional studies such as medicine, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatry and dentistry.

Our Alumni

Our Alumni

Here is a sampling of what our alumni have gone on to achieve:

PA, Loma Linda University

PA, Dallas Family Practice

Ph.D, Program Coordinator, Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety

Resident Physician, US NAVY, Portsmouth Virginia

Study Director, Toxicology, Calvert labs

Forensic Scientist, faculty at Keystone College

Microbiologist, Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation

Pennsylvania Game and Forestry

Forensic Scientist, PA State Police Crime Labs

Assistant Scientist, Weis Center for Research

Ph.D., Scientist, Chief Scientific Officer, Alphagenomix Labs

Physician, Family Med, Sports Medicine

Physician, Internal Medicine, Reading

Quality Engineering Specialist, US Hydrations

Student Testimonials

Community Realized

Trinity Sprague '18

My experiences as a Misericordia Biology major has no doubt shaped who I am today and as well as my future goals. The faculty has been very supportive; after being asked to conduct research with Dr. DiPino at the end of my freshman year, I was able to discover how much I loved molecular biology.

Andrea Nale '17

Starting with bio I and chem I, the professors were excellent. They love what they are doing. They love where they are, and they love their students. Misericordia’s convenient location also allowed me to volunteer at two local hospitals and shadow generous physicians in my spare time.

Student Clubs

Biology Majors have the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities, which include the following student clubs:

American Medical Student Association (AMSA) Chapter
Biology Club
Tri-Beta Honor Society

Tri Beta Honor Society 2024 — Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society Induction Ceremony - April 19, 2024

Facilities & Resources

Facilities & Resources

Teaching & Research Facilities

Our small faculty to student ratio enables students to conduct independent research projects in our dedicated teaching laboratory spaces and foster an atmosphere of experiential learning from the introductory level of the biology curriculum.

Plant Facility

The science building is home to an environmental growth chamber for plants with capabilities to adjust temperature, humidity, lighting and carbon dioxide levels.

Cell Culture

In vitro propagation of animal cells is made possible by the cell culture facility which contains laminar flow hoods, incubators, chromatography refrigerator and a liquid nitrogen container to store frozen cells.

Imaging/Microscopy

Misericordia’s Biology students use state of the art Axioobserver Z1 motorized inverted and upright research microscopes and a STEMI 2000-C stereomicroscope from Carl Zeiss Microscopy. All microscopes are equipped with high quality lenses and camera systems. In addition, teaching labs have Nikon research grade compound microscopes and stereoscopes equipped with high resolution digital systems.

Molecular Biology

Students are able to learn techniques in molecular biology as the department has thermocyclers to perform PCR, multiple electrophoresis systems to analyze DNA and proteins, and imagers to digitally visualize gels and chemiluminescent products on membranes. Recent upgrades to the equipment include a ChemiDoc XRS+ gel imaging system and two gel doc EZ set ups from BioRad. Students have the facilities to quantitate protein levels and perform ELISA using the EMAX plus plate reader from Molecular Devices.

Physiology

Using PowerLab, high performance data acquisition software, students can record data in real-time from both humans and animals. The data acquisition software allows for real-time display of experimental data, online and offline computations and, reversible data manipulation.

Cadaver Lab

The science building houses a spacious cadaver lab providing ample opportunities to study Gross anatomy for students to prepare themselves for medical school.

Contact

Cosima Wiese, Ph.D.

Chairperson and Professor of Biology
Phone: 570-674-6774
E-mail: cwiese@misericordia.edu

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