The Department of Biological Sciences offers a diverse curriculum in biology, with coursework ranging from molecular biology to ecosystem ecology. Biology courses may be used to complete the requirements for three majors and five minors. In addition, the department offers non-majors biology coursework that fulfills the Natural Science (N) core curriculum requirement, and courses that fulfill pre-clinical biology requirements for nursing, kinesiology, athletic training, and other majors.
Programs
The Department of Biological Sciences offers curricula leading to three Bachelor of Science degrees in biology, microbiology, and marine science. The Bachelor of Science in biology allows considerable flexibility and can be customized to meet the interests of individual students, while also meeting the requirements of most post-graduate professional programs in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, optometry and veterinary medicine. The Bachelor of Science in microbiology is a more focused program in the biology of microorganisms, but includes coursework that meets the requirements of most post-graduate professional programs in the health sciences. Finally, the Bachelor of Science in marine science provides a more interdisciplinary education into the forces that shape marine ecosystems and the diverse lifeforms that inhabit them while still preparing students for many post-graduate programs.
The Department of Biological Sciences also offers minors in biology, microbiology and marine science, and participates in interdisciplinary minors in natural resource management and evolutionary studies.
No undergraduate course offered by the Department of Biological Sciences may be attempted more than three times. Mid-semester withdrawal (any withdrawal that results in a final grade of W) is not considered an attempt. Students who, in three attempts, fail to pass a required course or fail to make a C- or better in a Biology course that is a prerequisite for a required upper level course may no longer major in Biology.
Faculty
Chair and professor
- Mortazavi, Behzad
Professors
- Benstead, Jon
- Caldwell, Guy
- Caldwell, Kimberly
- Cherry, Julia
- Findlay, Robert
- Harris, Phillip
- Huryn, Alexander
- Lopez-Bautista, Juan
- Olson, Julie
- Sobecky, Patricia
- Starr, Greg
- Staudhammer, Christina
Associate professors
- Atkinson, Carla
- Earley, Ryan
- Howeth, Jennifer
- Jenny, Matthew
- Kocot, Kevin
- Lozier, Jeff
- Ramonell, Katrina
- Reed, Laura
- Yoder, John
Assistant professors
- Chaudhuri, Anathbandhu
- Chtarbanova, Stanislava
- Ciesla, Lukasz
- Correll, R. Nathan
- Ferguson, Paige
- Heinrich, Kaleb
- Higgins, Melanie
- Hoadley, Kenneth
- Hodges, Tyler
- Jones, Nate
- Kim, Brandon
- Lackey, Kimberly
- Lam, Daryl
- McKain, Michael
- Shogren, Arial
- Sin, Jon
- Titus, Ben
Courses
Lecture and laboratory. Not open to biology majors or minors, or pre-health professions students. Survey of the basic principles of cellular biology, genetics, plant and animal diversity, and evolution. Usually offered fall, spring, and summer. BSC 108 and BSC 109 may be taken in either order.
Lecture and laboratory. Not open to biology majors or minors, or to pre-health professions students. Study of the physiology of living organisms with emphasis on the physiology of humans. Includes an overview of general ecology and animal behavior. Usually offered fall, spring and summer. BSC 108 and BSC 109 may be taken in either order.
Credit earned in this course may not be applied to the requirements of the biological sciences major or minor. Field sampling techniques, laboratory analysis of sediments, topography, sediments, and history of the world oceans.
Survey of the invertebrates, vertebrates, and marine plants as communities, with emphasis on local examples.