fs-pr-la-bioprog-08

							    Liberal Arts:
 Natural Science
(Biology) Option
        Ruth Young
Program Review Team Members
   Ruth Young
    Professor, Biology Program Coordinator and Program Review
    Team Leader, Department of Natural Sciences, NECC
   Marcy Vozzella
    Assistant Professor, Chair of Natural Sciences, NECC
   Mariana Vilhena
    Instructor, Department of Natural Sciences, NECC
   Stephen Mathis
    Professor, English Department, NECC
   Gary Heisermann
    Assistant Professor, Biology Department, Salem State College
   Peter Gaines
    Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences,
    University of Massachusetts Lowell
Program Mission Statement
The Liberal Arts/Biology Program is
designed to prepare students for further study
towards the bachelor’s degree in biology by
providing coursework and laboratory
experiences in biology and other natural
sciences, as well as a background in
mathematics and the liberal arts.
Consistent with College’s Values
   Engage our students
   Collaborative learning
   Diverse environment
   Serve other programs
   High standard of excellence
   Resource for the community
Hidden Prerequisites
   (College Reading)
   Introductory Chemistry
   Math sequence up to and including Advanced
    Algebra and Trigonometry
Areas of Strength
   Dynamic and diverse faculty
   Student interest in the program
   Minority interest in the program
   Academic support for students
   Expanding and exciting course offerings
Areas for Improvement
   Laboratory safety procedures
   Low number of graduates
   Many students drop out
   Inadequate plan for dealing with
    underprepared students
Areas for Improvement
   Number of full-time chemistry or physics
    faculty members
   Availability of full-time faculty to teach in
    LA/Biology option
   Outdated technology in the classrooms and
    laboratories
   Inadequate financial resources
Resources Requested
   New desktop computers for the laboratories
   Electrophoresis equipment
   Additional wall outlets in laboratories
   White boards for laboratories
   A venting system for the microbiology
    laboratory
   Product Contracts for faculty to work over the
    summer cleaning out labs