The Biology Department serves a large and diverse population of students on both Middletown and Newburgh campuses offering approximately 130 lecture/lab sections in more than a dozen subject areas in both Fall and Spring Semesters.  The Department offers an A.S. Degree in Math and Natural Science (Biology Concentration) fielding relevant courses in General Biology I (BIO 101), General Biology II (BIO 102), Genetics (BIO 201), Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (BIO 202), General Botany (BIO 204) and General Ecology (BIO 205).  The Department also offers supporting coursework for students preparing for a variety of Health Professions Programs (Introduction to Biology (BIO 110), Anatomy and Physiology I and II (BIO 111,112) Human Biology (BIO 115).  Additionally, the Biology Department offers a wide-range of General Education Courses as science electives for students pursuing various liberal arts degree programs. Presently we are developing two Horticulture courses as the academic core of what we envision as a Certificate Program in Horticulture.

Faculty Resources Re Instructional Capacity

To effectively meet the needs of our educationally diverse student population the Department seeks to maintain and enhance the quality and availability of our course offerings.  Current Institutional Research data shows that in comparison to AY 2017-2018 when a total of 225 course sections were offered, during AY 2018-2019 244 sections were offered,(and ran) representing a 7.9% increase in capacity.  Moreover, this increase is importantly due to our ability to offer more courses in the virtual arena such that our DL sections have doubled and now represent 8.1% of our offerings.  Here, it should be noted that the increase in DL offerings significantly reflects our ability to bring additional courses to the online environment, not just offer more sections of courses already online.  Moreover, the Department has responded to requests to offer 'Diversity of Life' (BIO 141) and evening sections of Anatomy and Physiology I and II (BIO 111,112) at Newburgh while a Spring section of 'Human Biology' (BIO 115) will be offered in Spring 2020 to better meet the needs of Dental Hygiene students.  It is evident from review of enrollment data that there is a large and increasing population of students enrolling in our courses which impacts our instructional capacity such that strategic growth will not be sustainable without hiring a new, full-time, tenure-track faculty member.  This need is imperative particularly given the recent retirement of Dr. Melody Festa (August 2019) and the fact that our adjuncts (˜18) are teaching to capacity while key full-time faculty are teaching for 'extra comp'.

Instructional Resources

Now that our department has quarters in Rowley Center for Science and Engineering (RCSE) we are challenged to fully utilize the full potential offered by this facility.  In recent years we acquired funding to develop and equip a second 'Introduction to Biology lab.as well as to purchase Microprobes for use in 'Introduction to Biology' and 'General Biology I" labs.  Presently, it is our goal to replace microscopes used in our Anatomy and Physiology I (BIO 111) labs.  These microscopes were originally placed in service circa the early 1970s or mid-to-late 1960s and no longer function optimally.  Microscopes used in all of our other courses are of newer vintage and offer binocular viewing and easier adjustments of illumination and focus.  Microscopic demonstrations of cells, tissues and organs is an integral component of A and P I and is essential for students to gain a conceptual understanding of functional anatomy.  Microscopes used in Anatomy and Physiology I must be of the same quality and functionality as those used in other courses.

Biology Student Lounge

Unlike some departments the Biology Department has no informal space where students can gather for social as well as educational interaction.  The Department sees merit in creating such a space where students could bond with each other and with faculty in an informal educational setting.  We propose creation of a separate entrance with a door (similar to that for RCSE 304) allowing entry into what is currently the 'Media Room' of the BATCAVERN (RCSE 306) from the hall.  This would allow student access to the lounge without the need to enter through the BATCAVERN so as not to interfere with activities of the BATCAVERN.  We envision that such a facility could lead to enhanced retention as students develop stronger interpersonal bonds with peers and faculty alike.