Biology Program
We live in an age of constant scientific discovery – a world shaped by revolutionary new technologies, many of which require an understanding of biology. Biologically-related topics regularly making the news include stem cell research, drug discovery, global climate change, emerging infectious diseases, environmental concerns, species diversity, genetics, and rapid advances in medicine and biotechnology. As human understanding of the self and the surrounding world has expanded, we have begun to appreciate the dynamic nature of biological systems at multiple levels of organization. Whether studying the host of factors regulating cell division in a tumor or the complex interactions of species in a restored ecosystem, researchers in all biological sciences are combining the latest technologies with broadening expertise to come to a deeper understanding of the living world.
Students with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology have the necessary foundations to pursue a variety of careers including secondary education and public health. Students with a Bachelor of Science in Biology can move on to medical, dental, or veterinarian schools; other health-allied occupations like pharmacy; graduate school in various biological disciplines; careers in biotechnology and industry; and a number of environmental and conservation careers in business or government. The biology degree is divided into two tracks: Biomedical Sciences, and Conservation and Wildlife. This is to help focus student coursework on the area best suited to their future careers. Fields of interest relating to these tracks include agronomy, aquatic biology, ecology, genetics, wildlife management, neurobiology, medicine, microbiology, pharmacology, and molecular biology.
Students interested in medical school or graduate school are strongly encouraged to take two semesters of organic chemistry (CHEM 205 and CHEM 206), two semesters of college physics (PHYS 105 and PHYS 106), and at least one college level mathematics course (e.g., MATH 223, MATH 224, or MATH 230).
Secondary Education Licensure (Grades 9-12)
Students interested in becoming licensed to teach Biology at the secondary level must complete all Biology major degree requirements, a minor in secondary education, and additional General Education requirements for state licensure. For further information, see the Education department section of this catalog.