Interdisciplinary Majors

Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology

Faculty

Kathleen G. Dwyer, Ph.D., Co-Director, Biology Department
Joan Wasilewski, Ph.D., Co-Director, Chemistry Department
Timothy D. Foley, Ph.D.
George R. Gomez, Ph.D.
Marc Seid, Ph.D.
Michael A. Sulzinski, Ph.D.

Overview

The Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology major is an interdisciplinary program of study between the Biology and Chemistry departments. The program provides students with an understanding of the fundamentals of biology and chemistry and the key principles of biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, as suggested by the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. There is a strong emphasis on genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics.

The program is designed to provide students with expertise in both the fundamentals and frontline applications of these rapidly expanding fields, especially in the areas of genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics. Students who graduate from the program are expected to possess skills suitable for (a) biotechnical work in the pharmaceutical, health and agricultural industries and for (b) further academic pursuits in graduate or professional schools.

Course Information

Courses for Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology are listed under the prefixes BCMB. For information on these courses, visit our Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, BS page. For more information on all courses offered, visit our Course Descriptions page.

Environmental Science

Michael C. Cann, Ph.D., Co-Director, Chemistry Department;
Michael D. Carey, Ph.D., Co-Director, Biology Department

See Biology and Chemistry for faculty listings.

Overview

The Environmental Science major is an interdisciplinary program of the Biology and Chemistry Departments at The University of Scranton. The Environmental Science major has the following objectives:

To prepare students for positions (in the public or private sector) in the broad field of environmental analysis, compliance, and technology;
To prepare students for advanced study in environmental science;
To provide a sufficiently comprehensive science and liberal arts background to allow students to pursue advanced training or work in other fields that deal with environmental issues, e.g., environmental law, environmental health, and environmental regulation in business and industry.

The Environmental Science program provides a rigorous and comprehensive grounding in the biological, chemical, and physical aspects of the natural environment, and in the analytical and instrumental techniques used to investigate environmental problems. Upper-class students may choose to focus more closely on either the chemical or biological aspects of environmental science, and must complete either an undergraduate research project or an internship in environmental science. The program also is designed to expose students to the social, political, regulatory, economic, and ethical concerns that are commensurate with defining and addressing environmental issues in today’s world.

Course Information

Courses for Environmental Science are listed under the prefixes CHEM, BIOL and ESCI. For more information on these and all courses offered, visit our Course Descriptions page.

Individualize Major

Board Members

James P. Buchanan, Ph.D.
Josephine Dunn, Ph.D.
Kathleen G. Dwyer, Ph.D.
Paul Fahey, Ph.D.
David O. Friedrichs, M.A.
Richard Klonoski, Ph.D.

Overview

The Individualized Major (IM) program provides University of Scranton students the opportunity to design interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary programs of study not presently available within the established University structure. Students may create their own unique programs of study, including specific learning outcome objectives, upgrade existing concentrations into majors, and use an IM major as a second major to explore interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary extensions of an established major. Students are not guaranteed an IM major program of study. Approval of all IM major program proposals is predicated on availability of faculty mentors and on an academically sound IM proposal.

Course Information

For information on courses offered, visit our Course Descriptions page.

Media and Information Technology

Benjamin J. Bishop, Ph.D., Director, Computing Sciences Department

Overview

During the lifetime of the current college students, the means of personal and corporate communication have changed dramatically. Computers are as common as microwave ovens and Internet access is as prevalent as cable TV. Cell phones and mp3 players are common possessions of many adults and will only become more widespread in the coming years. The ability to create content for these new media is vital now and will be in the future.

The Media and Information Technology program is our response to this need. This relatively new program combines coursework from several academic departments to provide a unique opportunity for students interested in this field of study. Our course work draws primarily from the departments of Communication, Computing Sciences and Physics/Electrical Engineering. But major electives are also available in Marketing and writing. Because our cognate requirements are very flexible, students can tailor their programs to meet their personal interests.

If the recent past is an indication of the future, the technology used today will be outdated in a few years. Therefore, course requirements are distributed to address theoretical concepts and practical skills. Our goal is to produce graduates who are not only qualified for today’s marketplace, but who will also have the background to continue the lifelong learning that will be necessary to grow professionally in this field.

In addition to courses in the major, the student will develop a content area in another discipline and will be required to produce a major project in this area. This culminating project will demonstrate practical experience as well as theoretical knowledge.

Media and Information Technology students tend to focus their studies on either Web development or digital video production. Students are free to pursue other interdisciplinary interests such as online advertising or database journalism.

Course Information

Courses for Media and Information Technology are listed under the prefixes of COMM, CMPS, MIT, PHYS. For more information on these and all courses offered, visit our Course Descriptions page.

Neuroscience

Faculty

Primary

Robert F. Waldeck, Ph.D., Program Director
J. Timothy Cannon, Ph.D.
Timothy Daniel Foley, Ph.D
George R. Gomez, Ph.D.
Gary G. Kwiecinski, Ph.D.

Secondary

Paul F. Fahey, Ph.D.
Christie P. Karpiak, Ph.D.
Jerry R. Muir Jr., Ph.D.

Overview

The foundation courses of this interdisciplinary curriculum are selected from the Biology, Psychology and Chemistry departments. Depending upon the electives chosen, the program can prepare students for a variety of graduate programs within the field of neuroscience. Such graduate training may draw from a range of disciplines, including biology, psychology, anatomy, pharmacology, toxicology, biophysics, biochemistry and medicine. Students have ample research opportunities in laboratories that can support a diversity of behavioral, biochemical, neurophysiological and neuroanatomical investigations. The program is administered by an interdisciplinary committee.

Course Information

Courses for Neurosciece are listed under the prefixes BIOL, CHEM, and PSYC. For more information on these and all courses offered, visit our Course Descriptions page.