Chair: Robert Parsons (Acting)
Accelerated Program Head: M.H. Hanna

For two decades, the science of biology has been undergoing revolutionary change. Many problems once handled only descriptively are now analyzed molecularly, and biological systems are now characterized in molecular terms. With this trend expected to continue into future advances in biology, Rensselaer is adapting and introducing undergraduate and graduate biology programs to meet this challenge.

All areas of biology require knowledge of chemistry and physics as well. The undergraduate biology curriculum, therefore, thoroughly trains students in the fundamentals of the life sciences and the chemistry and physics of the life processes, providing the background necessary for professional training in research or medicine. Options are available to prepare students for careers in applied biology and in industry. Programs of study in biology may also be combined with specific options in biochemistry, biomedical engineering, bioinformatics, biophysics, biotechnology (genetic engineering), chemical engineering, computer science, management, mathematics, microbiology, and technical communications.

Research and Innovation Initiatives

Biochemistry and Biophysics   The study of fundamental problems in modern biochemistry and molecular biochemistry employ a variety of advanced techniques. Current work at the gene and protein levels is being applied in cell biology and physiology. Understandably, a wide range of government agencies and foundations, including the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the American Diabetes Association, is supporting such exciting work.

Research in this area includes developing computer models of how the lens accommodates the human eye. Studies on the lens protein alpha crystalline include biochemical and biophysical characterization. Novel molecular genetics approaches are used to compare properties of alpha crystalline to members of the small heat shock protein family. Another laboratory is researching the involvement of molecular chaperones (heatshock proteins) in the assembly of a large oligomeric enzyme.

In the area of enzymology, projects include work on the nitric oxide synthase isoforms, which are important to signal transduction (e.g., in the central nervous system and for blood pressure control) and as producers of cytotoxic NO in immune responses. A related project is considering the role of NO in controling water flux in an amphibian model system. Other experiments focus on the role of microtubules and microfilaments in hormone-regulated changes in permeability to water. Using molecular genetics and biochemical methods, nitrogen fixation and nitrogen cycle enzymes in cyanobacteria are also under investigation. Additionally, molecular modeling techniques are being used in the design of mutants of eukaryotic P450 enzymes.

Much of this research is conducted through collaboration with colleagues in other departments who are members of the Interdisciplinary Program in Biochemistry/Biophysics or the Center for Biophysics and with scientists from other universities.

Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology   Research in bioinformatics and molecular biology includes both computational work and applications using molecular genetic approaches. In the computational sphere, design and application of database search and sequence alignment algorithms, molecular modeling, and simulation are used in studies ranging from structural characterization of biomedically relevant proteins to investigations of evolutionary adaptation in marine environment. Problems of protein folding are studied using modeling and data mining from genomic and structural databases. Molecular genetic approaches are used to test the prediction of modeling studies, to design and produce probes, and to obtain sequence information for novel genes. Three laboratories are involved in engineering novel proteins or activities of existing proteins, using molecular gene manipulations.

Microbiology and Ecology   In this program, faculty and their students are conducting ecological, molecular, and genetic studies. Both basic and applied research projects are available, sometimes within the same laboratory. Significant collaboration occurs between these researchers and faculty in other areas of biology, in other Rensselaer departments, and at other institutions around the world. Ecological studies include freshwater ecology, biotransformation of organic compounds, and geomicrobiology. Molecular studies include work on nitrogen fixing symbiotic bacteria and bacteria living in the environment using recombinant DNA technology, and overlap in some cases with genetic studies of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. A variety of graduate courses in microbiology, molecular biology, virology, and immunology are offered. In addition, the Darrin Fresh Water Institute at Lake George is well equipped for studies in microbial ecology.

Cell and Tissue Biology   Research in cell and tissue biology is a high priority within the Biology Department. Two new research programs are concerned with normal and abnormal cells. In one laboratory, studies on the biochemical control of tumor cell migration are conducted. In another laboratory, an investigation of the role of the extracellular matrix in cell behavior in normal and tumor tissues and during repair of damaged tissue is under way. An undergraduate laboratory that teaches basic research techniques in these areas has been developed. Campus faculty involved in cell and tissue engineering are forging strong collaborations.

Faculty

Departmental faculty listings are accurate as of the date generated for inclusion in this catalog. For the most up-to-date listing of faculty positions, including end-of- year promotions, please refer to the Faculty Roster section of this catalog, which is current as of the May 2002 Board of Trustees meeting.

Professors
Boylen, C.W.—Ph.D. (University of Wisconsin); microbial ecology, physiological effects of starvation on microorganisms.
Diwan, J.J.—Ph.D. (University of Illinois); cell physiology, bioenergetics.
Koretz, J.F.—Ph.D. (University of Chicago); structural biophysics of protein aggregation, computer modeling.
McDaniel, C.N.—Ph.D. (Wesleyan University); plant development and cell culture.
Nierzwicki-Bauer, S.A.—Ph.D. (University of New Hampshire); plant molecular biology, subsurface microbiology.
Pfau, C.J.—Ph.D. (Indiana University); molecular biology of animal viruses, antiviral drugs.
Roy, H.—Ph.D. (Johns Hopkins University); plant molecular biology and biochemistry.
Salerno, J.C.—Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania); enzymology, spectroscopy, molecular structures, bioinformatics.
Zucker, M. —Ph.D. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology); algorimths for predicting RNA and DNA secondary structure (joint appointment with Mathematics).

Research Professor
Bedard, D.—Ph.D. (University of Chicago); environmental microbiology and ecology, microbial molecular biodegradation of halogenated aromatics.

Associate Professors
Hanna, M.H.—Ph.D. (University of Illinois); directed evolution of proteins.
Parsons, R.H.—Ph.D. (Oregon State University); cellular physiology, epithelial transport.

Assistant Professors
Bystroff, C.—Ph.D. (University of California, San Diego); genomics, protein structural prediction.
Plopper, G.—Ph.D. (Harvard); biochemical control of tumor cell migration.
Xu, J. —Ph.D. (Meharry Medical College); signal transduction by extracellular matrix.

Professor Emeritus
Ehrlich, H.L.—Ph.D. (University of Wisconsin); geomicrobiology, mineral transformations by bacteria.

Associate Professor Emeritus
Clesceri, L.S.—Ph.D. (University of Wisconsin); microbial ecology, biotransformation and biodegradation of natural polymers and pesticides, biotechnology.

Clinical Assistant Professors
Crone, D.E.—Ph.D. (Duke University); molecular biology, biochemistry.
Smith, S.M.E.—Ph.D. (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute); bioinformatics, enzyme structure.

Adjunct Faculty
Bawa, R.—Ph.D. (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute); biotechnology, patents.
Manella, C.—Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania); mitochondrial membrane transport.

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate students may pursue either a baccalaureate program or an accelerated degree program. Both of these degree programs are explained in detail below.

Baccalaureate Programs
The undergraduate curriculum in biology is designed to prepare students for admission to graduate or professional school. Recognizing that flexibility is essential for students with specific interests and goals other than those spelled out in the traditional curricula, it is designed to leave many options open to the student. The following is a sample biology curriculum, completion of which requires a minimum of 128 credit hours.

* Chosen from one of the following three courses: BIOL-4710, BIOL-4720, or BIOL-4740. All three courses are writing intensive.
** One of the biology electives can be chosen from any of the following classes: All BCBP except BCBP-4760, CHEM-2440, CHEM-4300, or CHEM-4330.

Electives   Ten courses in biology are required for graduation. Careful selection of biology electives and technical electives in the third and fourth years may contribute significantly to preparation for various professional goals. Technical electives include any pertinent courses in biology, other sciences, or mathematics.

A student who anticipates working on a senior thesis is strongly urged to take two of the advanced laboratory courses (BIOL- 4710, BIOL-4720, BIOL-4740) in their junior year, since these courses offer excellent preparation for independent laboratory work.

Minor Programs

The Biology Department offers minors in biochemistry, biophysics, astrobiology and biology. The biochemistry minor is designed specifically for biology or bioinformatics majors and the biophysics minor is designed specifically for students majoring in biology. The requirements for all department minors are given below.

Biochemistry   To complete this minor, a biology major must take BCBP-4770, CHEM-2440, and two of the following courses:

Biophysics   To complete this minor, a biology major must take BCBP-4770, CHEM-2440, and two of the following courses:

Astrobiology   To complete this minor, students must take a minimum of 16 credits of course work in this field. These courses include ASTR-4510 and ISCI-4500, four credits each, and two semesters of the one-credit course ISCI-4510. Two additional courses outside the major field of study must be selected from the following:

The requirement that the two selected courses must be outside the major field of study is reduced to one in the case of a double major, provided both majors are in primary relevant areas of study (i.e., biology, chemistry, geology, and physics).

Biology   Students not majoring in biology may receive a minor in this discipline by taking eight credits of introductory biology. These credits must include BIOL-2120 and either BIOL-2310 or BIOL-1010. Also included are BIOL-2500 and three 4000-level courses of the student’s choice.

Accelerated Program

The Biology Department offers highly motivated students interested in the medical profession the opportunity to combine undergraduate and graduate study to reduce the number of years spent in academic study. The program is described below.

Physician-Scientist Program

This accelerated biomedical program leads to the B.S. degree from Rensselaer and the M.D. degree from Albany Medical College (AMC). Through this program, both degrees can be obtained within seven calendar years, including some summers.

Admission to the biomedical program is limited to individuals who have not yet initiated full-time undergraduate study and who display the motivation, maturity, and intellectual capacity necessary to pursue this accelerated course of study. Rensselaer conducts initial reviews and then forwards applications of candidates meeting the Institute’s program standards to Albany Medical College for further review. Only those applicants with uniformly superior academic credentials and the highest test scores are invited to the required interview at Albany Medical College. Some experience or demonstrated interest in biological or biomedical research during high school is considered as a factor in admission. The interview process assesses the applicant’s motivation for medicine, level of maturity, and level of personal development.

The biomedical program seeks and admits students without discrimination based on race, religion, color, gender, age, or handicap as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or national or ethnic origin. Ordinarily, admission to the program is limited to citizens of the United States. Candidates must complete secondary school with superior scholastic credentials. Course work must include four years of English, one year each of physics, chemistry, and biology, and mathematics through precalculus. The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) I or ACT examination and SAT II in mathematics (Level I, level IC, Level II, or Level IIC), writing, and physics, biology, or chemistry are required, and must be completed by the November testing date prior to the proposed September matriculation in the program. Scores of tests taken thereafter will not be considered. Preferably, secondary school applicants will have taken these tests in the spring preceding application. Applications must be filed and completed prior to December 1, which is earlier than application for normal admission.

Provided that the student maintains satisfactory standards of academic achievement, admission leads automatically to entrance into Albany Medical College after three years of study at Rensselaer (six semesters). A minimum grade point average of 3.40 (overall GPA and science/math GPA) is required each semester at Rensselaer. At the completion of the third fall semester, a minimum grade point average of 3.40 is required both in overall course work and in science/math for promotion to the medical portion of the curriculum. All course work at Rensselaer must be satisfactorily completed before beginning the fourth year of study at Albany Medical College. A grade of D or F in any science course generally requires immediate transfer out of this program. Grades of I (Incomplete) are not accepted without justification involving illness or specific course structure. When an Incomplete is granted, the course work must be completed no later than one month after the last day of the examination period of the semester in which the incomplete was received.

Promotion to the medical portion of the curriculum is based not only on academic achievement, but also on the fitness of the student to enter the profession of medicine. Students may transfer into Rensselaer’s regular four-year undergraduate program at any time during the premedical portion of the biomedical program. The three years of Rensselaer study include a sound basis in the physical sciences, an introduction to the major concepts and principles of biology and biological research, and ample opportunity to become acquainted with the humanities and social sciences. Students in the biomedical program will take 24 courses at Rensselaer over the three years. During the third summer (the transition between Rensselaer and Albany Medical College), students will take one course and continue with research projects begun while at Rensselaer. These research projects will be completed during the fourth summer while at Albany Medical College. Biology course credit will be given for the two courses taken during the third summer and five additional preclinical courses taken at Albany Medical College to complete the undergraduate requirements for the B.S. degree.

Since many biomedical students will enter Rensselaer with advanced placement credit, a large proportion will have undergraduate course work credit in excess of standard requirements. These advanced placement credits will allow them to take advanced or additional course work, but cannot be used to decrease the length of time allotted to their undergraduate experience or to decrease the number of courses prescribed in the curriculum. All courses specifically named in the curriculum must be taken at Rensselaer, or given AP credit, or transferred in from courses taken prior to admission at Rensselaer. After completing the fourth year of the program, students receive a B.S. degree from Rensselaer. The M.D. degree is received at the end of the seventh year and is dependent upon completing all requirements for the B.S. degree. Requests for further information and applications for admission to this program should be addressed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy, New York 12180-3590.

Seven-year Accelerated Physician-Scientist Program

Graduate Programs

The biology research laboratories at Rensselaer are equipped for graduate study and projects in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, biophysics, microbiology and microbial ecology, recombinant DNA and genetics, and vision regulation. In addition, cooperative programs with other organizations provide a wider range of research possibilities. Rensselaer’s Darrin Fresh Water Institute at Lake George offers a program on lake ecosystem analysis involving field, laboratory, and computer analysis of biological, chemical, and physical data. An active program in biochemistry and biophysics is jointly sponsored with the Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Chemical Engineering Departments. Students must complete a core curriculum that includes courses in general biochemistry and molecular biology and pass a qualifying exam. Qualified students may take a candidacy examination in their special area of interest and proceed to the Ph.D. under the guidance of the candidacy committee. Other students seeking an M.S. degree must complete a thesis based on original research. Students work toward M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in biology. The detailed curriculum is tailored to the student’s background and special interests.

Master’s Programs

Thirty credit hours of course work are necessary to complete the M.S. program. A minimum of six credits and a maximum of nine must be in research. Of the remaining credits, 15 must be in graduate-level courses. A thesis based on an original research project is required.

Doctoral Programs

Candidates for the Ph.D. must satisfy the requirements of the graduate evaluation committee (GEC), pass the qualifying exam, and pass a candidacy exam. The latter consists of a written and an oral portion, and should usually be taken between the second and the third year of full-time study. A degree candidate also must submit a dissertation based on an original research project. The GEC requires a high level of performance in selected courses and research, and reports its findings during the second full year of full-time study. Additionally, all doctoral candidates are required to participate in teaching for one academic year under the supervision of a faculty member. The student thus gains experience teaching should he or she select an academic career. Sixty credit hours past the M.S. degree are required.

Course Descriptions

Courses directly related to all Biology curricula are described in the Course Description section of this catalog under the department code BIOL.