The Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics comprises five departments: the Department of Biological Sciences; the Department of Chemistry;
the Department of Computer and Information Sciences; the Department of Mathematics; and the Department of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences. In addition, the college houses two interdisciplinary programs and one center:
the Environmental Science and Studies Programs; the Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Bioinformatics (MB3) Program; and the Center for Science and Mathematics Education.
Once students have chosen a course of study, they become members of the academic department or program administering that course of study.
Department of Biological Sciences
The undergraduate biology curriculum in the Department of Biological Sciences at Towson University includes courses oriented toward majors in biology and related disciplines, pre-professional courses, and courses designed to serve as important elements in the liberal arts education of students with a variety of majors. The B.S. in Biology provides an exceptional foundation for students who plan to enter the workforce as biologists immediately following graduation or to study at the graduate/professional level. The biology major is designed to articulate smoothly with the backgrounds of secondary school graduates as well as transfer students from community colleges and other four-year institutions. The Department is especially proud of our emphasis on undergraduate research, which our faculty feel is an essential component of training undergraduates in modern biology. The M.S. degree in Biology is intended to provide students with a solid foundation in the major subdisciplines of biological study and advanced training in several select subdisciplines where appropriate. Greater Baltimore is a center of high technology and biomedical research. In addition, the region's rapid growth and development has stimulated concerns about environmental issues and placed strains on the educational system. As a consequence, graduates with master's level training are sought by research facilities and private laboratories, environmental consulting firms, zoos and aquaria, and public and private secondary schools.
Department of Chemistry
To offer the broadest possible service and to meet the needs of a full range of students at the University, the Department of Chemistry provides its students with a strong background in all major areas of chemistry: physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, and instrumental analysis. Students are given the opportunity to concentrate in one or more of these areas by taking advanced courses in areas of specific interest. Students are required to learn to use instruments commonly encountered in chemistry. Small-sized classes are prevalent in all Chemistry courses, and students are taught by faculty in both lecture and laboratory. Special topics courses are offered periodically to provide students the opportunity to broaden their background in chemistry. Chemistry majors are able to pursue many different avenues after graduation, including graduate school in chemistry and related areas, employment in government or industry, professional school (e.g., medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, law, library science), or secondary school teaching. There are many employment opportunities available to Chemistry majors, including those in water pollution, forensic chemistry, environmental chemistry, molecular biology, research and development, quality assurance, and genetic engineering. Students planning careers in industry are encouraged to take courses in business and finance as part of their undergraduate program.
Department of Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences is one of the largest departments at Towson University, offering forty-five undergraduate courses, more than twenty graduate courses, and serving approximately 800 undergraduate majors and 200 graduate majors. We have 32 full-time faculty members and recruit new faculty every year. Our part-time faculty are highly motivated and active in business and industry. Computer and Information Sciences faculty are committed to excellence in teaching and providing students with professional guidance and advice. We emphasize quality in education which includes solid theoretical foundations and the latest technological developments.
Department of Mathematics
The Department of Mathematics prides itself on the fact that its highest priority is to provide the best possible undergraduate mathematical education for mathematics majors, mathematics minors, honors students, pre-service teachers at all levels, and for the many thousands of students who take mathematics to satisfy general education or major requirements. We also offer graduate education in applied and industrial mathematics and in mathematics education. We generally teach small classes, rarely exceeding 30 students. We encourage our students to visit us in our offices and we try to facilitate the learning process with one-on-one conversations with our students. Faculty areas of expertise are in one or more of the following areas: applied mathematics, pure mathematics, or mathematics education. The faculty is heavily involved in scholarship, publishing research papers and textbooks, giving presentations, providing workshops, and working in professional organizations. We hope to convey to our students our love for doing mathematics. We find it a vital and exciting discipline with many open questions yet to be explored.
Department of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences
The Department of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences at Towson University provides students with a wonderful environment that is ideal for launching their studies of physics, geology, planetary science, astronomy or cosmology. In addition to Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences, our department is central to Towson's offerings in Science Education. We have undergraduate programs in Physics, Geology or Earth-Space Science, a Physics Secondary Education Program, a Dual Degree in Engineering Program leading to a bachelor's degree in Physics from Towson University and a bachelor's degree in Engineering from either the University of Maryland, College Park, or Penn State University, as well as minors in Physics, Astronomy or Geology. There is also a five-year program leading to a B.S. degree in Physics and an M.S. degree in Computer Science.
Environmental Science and Studies Program
Students who select the Environmental Science and Studies (ESS) Program major develop the background and skills required to address the complex environmental issues/problems that confront us today. The program is multidisciplinary because most environmental problems resist solution from any single discipline. We draw on the expertise of faculty in departments across four colleges in the university, the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Business and Economics, and the College of Health Professions. Many of the courses focus on local issues and problems. Students choose an area of focus within Environmental Science or Environmental Studies. Both concentrations enable a student to develop the scientific, technical, and social knowledge needed to assess, plan, and evaluate environmental concerns and propose realistic solutions for environmental problems at local, regional, and national levels. Graduates are well prepared to enter the workforce or continue on to graduate study. Our graduate program in Environmental Science offers both an MS and a Certificate in Environmental Science. It is designed for individuals who are in the environmental work force, are looking to enter the environmental work force, want to be involved in research programs that focus on local environmental issues, or who are public school teachers who wish to expand their knowledge of environmental processes of metropolitan areas so they can teach in this specialty.
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Bioinformatics (MB3) Program
We are excited about the Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics Program that has been developed at Towson University. The integration of the expertise of four distinct departments – Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics and Computer and Information Sciences – is unique and gives students training that is absolutely cutting-edge. Molecular biology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics are dynamic, rapidly expanding, modern areas of study that have enormous significance to the way we live our lives today, and to the ways our lives will change in the coming years. The areas of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry have revolutionized science in the last few decades, and have driven today's technology that plays a critical role in virtually every aspect of the life sciences, including such vital areas as medicine, pharmacology, ecology, chemistry, environmental science, and agriculture. Bioinformatics combines the successes in understand the chemistry of the gene and the advances of the molecular tools in life sciences with another contemporary technical revolution; computer-based information technology. The far-reaching impact of these new disciplines has changed the way we fight disease, produce food, monitor the environment, and deal with crime. They have literally transformed our society, our language, and our economy. The explosion of the commercial application of these disciplines which has resulted in the biotechnology industry, has changed the economy of the world.
The Jess and Mildred Fisher
College of Science and Mathematics
Smith Hall, Room 312 (campus map)
Phone: 410-704-2121
Fax: 410-704-2604
E-mail: fcsm@towson.edu
In addition to the departments & programs listed on this page, the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics also houses the very active Center for Science and Mathematics Education.
8000 York Road | Towson, MD 21252 | 410-704-2000
