Programs

Chair:  William F. Ettinger

Professors:  W. Ettinger, H. Lefcort, P. Pauw, R. Prusch, N. Staub, M. Bertagnolli

Associate Professors: J. Haydock, D. Boose, J. Beckstead

Assistant Professors: K. Anders, B. Swanson, G. Chang

The Biology Department offers a selection of courses that helps students to understand the unity, diversity and complexity of life at the molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecological levels using evolutionary principles as the unifying theme. Students in the Biology program learn concepts in subdisciplines of biology and acquire scientific problem solving skills through lectures, discussions, laboratory exercises, and research. The program is aimed at preparing students for a broad range of biology-oriented careers, such as those in medicine, biotechnology, environmental science, research, and teaching.

The Bachelor of Science degree is designed for students preparing for a career in biology, including continued training in graduate programs in a broad range of subdisciplines of biology, as well as medical and dental school. The Bachelor of Arts degree, in coordination with the Teacher Certification Program in the School of Education, prepares students to teach biology at the secondary level. Students interested in biochemistry should consider a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a minor in chemistry, which provides the equivalent of the biochemistry degree recommended by the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The Bachelor of Arts degree may be suitable for graduate school, including some programs in wildlife biology and ecology, but the Bachelor of Science degree allows for more options, even within these subdisciplines. A minor in biology is offered for students interested in careers that integrate biological principals with other fields, including environmental studies and scientific journalism.

The Biology department also participates in the interdisciplinary Environmental Studies Concentration, which is open to all majors in the College of Arts and Sciences. Biology faculty teach the science portion of the Environmental Studies curriculum, which includes either BIOL 123 (Human Ecology) or approved sections of BIOL 199 (Core Topics), followed by ENVS 200 – Case Studies in Environmental Science. Members of the Biology Department also advise Environmental Studies students, and collaborate in teaching the concentration’s capstone course, the Symposium in Environmental Studies. Biology majors interested in the Environmental Studies Concentration can substitute BIOL 102 as a prerequisite for ENVS 200.

The Biology curriculum is designed to provide students with a broad background in biology. During the first two years, students receive a foundation in biological diversity (BIOL 101), ecology (BIOL 102), cell biology (BIOL 201) and genetics and evolution (BIOL 202). At the same time, students learn the principles of chemistry that are essential for understanding the structure and function of biological molecules and how these molecules interact in living systems.

Students are encouraged to choose, in consultation with their advisor, a set of upper division courses that include each level of biological analysis (molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecological). In addition, students must complete an Advanced Topics course (BIOL 399), preferably in their junior year. In this course students read, analyze, and discuss primary research literature on selected biological topics. Finally, students are required to complete the senior colloquium (BIOL 499) in their senior year, which provides practice in the application of students’ mastery of biological knowledge through discussion of a broad range of literature.

Laboratory work is an important component of the biology curriculum and complements classroom learning. Beginning with the introductory courses, laboratories provide students with the opportunity to apply the scientific method of inquiry to experimental models while learning techniques and critical thinking skills that are vital to a successful career in science. Moreover, the Biology Department encourages students to participate in faculty research programs (areas include cell biology, vertebrate biology, evolutionary biology, plant physiology, population and community ecology, animal behavior, genetics and biochemistry). Interested students should contact specific faculty members concerning the availability of research opportunities.

Some courses are specifically designed to fulfill requirements for non-science majors. These include courses that fulfill the Laboratory Science requirement for the Core Curriculum of the College of Arts and Sciences: Human Ecology (BIOL 123 and 123L), Field Botany (BIOL 140 and 140L), and Core Topics (BIOL 199 and 199L); and those that fulfill the Mathematics or Natural Science requirement of the Core Curriculum of the College of Arts and Sciences: Biological Concepts (BIOL 100) Science and Religion (BIOL 134), and Biology of Medicine (BIOL 165).