The Department of Biology offers programs leading to a Bachelor of Science in Biology or a minor in Biology. The BS in Biology combines a strong core of fundamentals followed by advanced training in upper-level courses. The department emphasizes hands-on experience in laboratory and field settings. Students pursuing the B.S. in Biology may choose to concentrate in one of three areas: general biology, pre-medical professions, organismal biology or ecology. Students majoring in Biology may continue their education in medical, dental, and veterinary schools, or pursue graduate study in such diverse fields as animal physiology, molecular biology, botany, biochemistry, genetics, behavior genetics, ecology, microbiology, and neuroscience. Graduates not electing advanced study may obtain employment as technicians or research assistants in pharmaceutical industries, in hospital, clinical, and government laboratories, or at environmental firms. There are also many career opportunities for teachers with good training in the sciences. Certification is available for students interested in teaching science at the elementary or secondary level. The Department of Biology is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities for biological studies. These facilities are accessible to undergraduates for use in laboratory courses and research projects. The department strongly encourages students to participate in faculty-directed research, maintains specially-equipped laboratories for this purpose, and provides awards for those students who work on these projects. The Center for Research of the College of Science and Health offers a limited number of summer research grants for qualified upper-level undergraduate students.
