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Bachelor of Science in Life Science

The rigor of the scientific method in the context of Landmark College’s innovative teaching methods.

The Bachelor of Science in Life Science degree at Landmark College includes knowledge areas related to ecology, organismal and sub-organismal biology, natural resource management, data-driven decision making, and a strong foundation for the public health sector.

Students will engage in experiential opportunities to enrich professional behaviors, enhance collaboration, and develop and maintain large scale projects.

We encourage students to critically evaluate concepts and ideas using scientific evidence that will prepare them to become informed and productive members of society.

The B.S. in Life Science degree is an extension of the College’s current A.S. in Life Science degree.
Both degrees offer two tracks of study:

  • Life Science
  • Environmental Biology

Learn more about B.S. in Life Science

  • What we do

    Every student in Life Science becomes a member of our community of scholars, working closely together with faculty and peers to advance the field of biology and develop a lifelong interest in life science.

    The curriculum emphasizes learning by doing. Unlike the traditional approach of separating lecture and lab sections of courses, Landmark College lab courses integrate those experiences in a modular approach that provides opportunities for students to construct knowledge for themselves.

    Students also have the opportunity to develop laboratory techniques prior to engaging in internship experiences either with an industry partner or as part of a faculty member’s research.

    The B.S. in Life Science program culminates in a capstone experience that allows students to work in partnership with faculty in their research.

  • The Science faculty have been involved in research opportunities in partnership with Vermont Genetics Network, Vermont Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research: EPSCoR (both based out of the University of Vermont), and local agencies such as the Putney Conservation Commission.

    These projects provide individual research opportunities for students related to the fields of forest ecology, wildlife management and tracking, long-term ecological data analysis, aquatic pollution, genetic disorders, and animal physiology.

    Other research and co-curricular activities include the creation and establishment of Tree Campus USA status and the development of long-term ecological monitoring sites on campus and adjacent natural areas.

    In addition to the mentoring and research activities, student clubs involved in sustainability, gardening, and the environment have all been formed over the past few years and are growing in popularity.

  • Internships with area firms, healthcare facilities, environmental organizations, and laboratories offer added opportunities to develop and apply skills in a professional setting.

    Recent internships include:

    • Veterinary Clinic intern
    • Vermont Genetics Network Undergrad Summer Researcher
    • Putney Conservation Commission intern
    • Gardening and Preserving Intern
    • Assessment Statistician
    • Physical Education and Sports Management intern
    • Virtual Reality Engineer and Lab Assistant
    • Data Analyst

    The college has partnerships with the following organizations that offer neurodiverse friendly supportive workforce and internship programs:

    • Broad Futures
    • Dynamy
    • Disability IN
    • Neurodiversity Pathways
  • Why Life Science?

    Virtually every new medical advancement, invention, or solution to our economic, environmental, and social problems has a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) connection.

    A degree in Life Science is the gateway to tomorrow’s fastest-growing careers, including biotechnology, health care/health sciences, environmental sciences, chemistry/biochemistry, and pharmaceuticals.

    For more information, please visit the Career Connections webpage.

  • Curriculum

    To earn the B.S. in Life Science, students must complete 121 credits, which includes general education core credits, major requirements, concentration credits, and open electives.

    General Education Requirements: 43 credits

    31 credits at the 1000 – 2000 level

    • Composition and Rhetoric: 3 credits
    • Humanities Distribution: 3 credits
    • Interpersonal Communication: 3 credits
    • Introduction to Communication: 3 credits
    • Mathematics—College Algebra Major Requirement: 3 credits
    • Natural Science Distribution with lab—Principles of Biology Major Requirement: 4 credits
    • Perspectives in Learning: 3 credits
    • Quantitative Reasoning: Applied Statistics or Introduction to Calculus or Introduction to Programming Major Requirement: 3 credits
    • Research and Analysis: 3 credits
    • Social Science Distribution: 3 credits

    12 credits at the 3000 – 4000 level

    • Advanced Writing in the Discipline: 3 credits
    • Alternative Study: Must be science focused—Major Requirement: 3 credits
    • Capstone Research Methods and Design Major Requirement: 3 credits
    • Capstone Research Project Major Requirement: 3 credits

    BS-LS Major Requirements: 51 credits

    • Biotechnology Lab Techniques: 1 credit
    • Education & Identity: 3 credits
    • Evolution: 3 credits
    • Organic Chemistry: 4 credits
    • Principles of Biology II: 4 credits
    • Principles of Chemistry I: 4 credits
    • Principles of Chemistry II: 4 credits

    The major culminates in a final 6 credit capstone experience that provides students with the opportunity to integrate the knowledge that they have gained from across the curriculum. Students are encouraged to work in teams, and can pursue either an applied or theory project.

    Concentration Choice: 28 credits

    Life Science Track

    Molecular Biology of the Cell: 4 credits

    24 credits from the following:

    • Animal Behavior: 3 credits
    • Biochemistry: 3 credits
    • Bioinformatics and Computational Biology: 3 credits
    • Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy: 4 credits
    • Developmental Biology: 4 credits
    • Human Biology: 3 credits
    • Kinesiology: 3 credits
    • Microbiology: 4 credits
    • Molecular Basis of Disease: 3 credits
    • Neurobiology: 3 credits
    • Nutrition: 3 credits
    • Vertebrate Physiology: 4 credits

    Environmental Biology Track

    Ecology: 4 credits

    24 credits from the following:
    • Aquatic Ecology: 4 credits
    • Bioinformatics and Computational Bio: 3 credits
    • Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy: 4 credits
    • Conservation Biology: 3 credits
    • Environmental Science: 4 credits
    • Environmental Policy: 3 credits
    • Field Studies & Wildlife Conservation: 3 credits
    • GIS and Mapping: 3 credits
    • Natural Resource Mgt. and Sustainability: 4 credits
    • Plant Biology: 4 credits
    • Principles of Sustainability: 3 credits
    • Vertebrate Physiology: 4 credits
    • Winter Ecology: 3 credits
    • Zoology: 4 credits

    Open Electives: 26 credits

    121 total credits

  • Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Life Science program will be able to:

    • Demonstrate thorough knowledge of key concepts, theories, and perspectives in biology as well as the scope and limitations of the discipline
    • Use scientific reasoning inquiry to design research and think critically about biological information and phenomena
    • Write and communicate effectively using practices found in the biological fields
    • Demonstrate career-ready, professional skills and habits of continual improvement through experience, self-reflection, collaboration, and project management

    The STEM department’s instructional philosophy of experiential learning allows students at every level to develop critical thinking skills while providing broad, deep and state-of-the-art training in life science disciplines.

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