Biology
Mission Statement
The mission of the biology department is to provide the student with a fundamental background in biology and related sciences to continue on into graduate or professional school (medicine, dentistry, etc.) or to obtain employment in biology or a biology related field.
Career Opportunities
Biologists with advanced degrees may teach at the University level. Biologists with a bachelor’s degree may teach at the secondary level by taking additional coursework to earn a teaching licensure. Graduates may also work in other education programs at zoos, parks, nature centers and museums.
Biology majors with a strong chemistry background may go on to study forensics and work in crime scene analysis.
Biology majors with a strong ecology background may obtain jobs in natural resource areas such as County Soil and Water Conservation Agencies and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Job opportunities exist for biology graduates in government, university, and private research facilities. Research may be on human health, genetics, agriculture, biotechnology or environmental issues. Some jobs are in a laboratory setting which others may be fieldwork, some in exotic locations.
Biologist work within companies to research and test products as well as in the sales and marketing of science-related products.
Many textbooks, magazines, and websites need scientific illustrations. Students with a background in both science and art can obtain jobs in this area.
Starting salaries for students who earn a bachelor’s degree in biology are around $31,000, while the median salary for individuals who hold advanced biology degrees generally falls between $55,000 and $75,000. Students with biology degrees who pursue careers in medicine or pharmaceuticals can earn six-figure salaries.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment Statistics
- Best Colleges: Best Careers for Biology Majors
Learning Outcomes
The successful student is able to:
- Explain, using appropriate terminology, the basic concepts of cell/molecular biology, ecology, evolution, and genetics.
- Explain the fundamentals of scientific inquiry, interpret the results of scientific investigations, and draw reasonable conclusions from data.
- Complete critical reading of original and secondary source material.
- Communicate, in oral and written form, biological technical information.
- Relate models, theories and concepts to real world phenomena.
- Use standard biological equipment appropriately and safely, and explain the limitations of the equipment.
Facilities
The Kidd Math/Science Center opened in 1985. With an award-winning masonry design, the center’s front doors open to a glass atrium with live plants & a trickling pond. A spacious lobby follows with comfortable studying facilities. The center houses three large chemistry labs, three biology labs, one physics lab, one computer lab, lecture rooms, faculty offices and a large bent glass greenhouse that enhances the view of campus. McKenzie Hall opened in 1997, and it provides math/science students, along with the nursing students, two large lecture halls, a variety of lecture rooms, an anatomy lab, three computer labs, faculty offices and a conference room with a beautiful view of campus and the surrounding landscape.
Kidd Math & Science Lobby
Used for studying and gathering between classes.
Kidd Math & Science 110 Lab
Used for Environmental Science, Biology 2, Botany & Genetics
Kidd Math & Science 101 Lab
Used for Biology 1 & Principles of Biology
Kidd Math & Science 108 Lab
Used for upper division biology including ecology & vertebrate zoology
Faculty
Degree Requirements
Biology (2340)
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education must include: | |
| BIO 12104 Biology I | 4 |
| CHM 15005 (TAG) General Chemistry I | 5 |
| MTH 21404 (TM) Introductory Probability and Statistics | 4 |
| Total General Education hours | 40 |
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| Personal elective hours | 18-24 |
| Total required hours for degree | 120 |
Note: C- or better is required in all core and elective courses in the program.
*Human A&P 2 not required but recommended for those interested in medicine.
**Organic Chemistry 2 not required but recommended for those interested in medicine, required by medical schools and some biology graduate programs.
***General Physics 2 not required but recommended for those interested in medicine, required by medical schools and some graduate programs.
Associate of Science Degree – Concentration in Biology (2321)
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education must include: | |
| BIO 12104 Biology I | 4 |
| MTH 21404 (TM) Introductory Probability and Statistics | 4 |
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| Major Area required courses: | |
| BIO 12204 Biology II | 4 |
| BIO 20704 Ecology | 4 |
| BIO 21404 Human Anatomy and Physiology I or NSC 22304 (TM) Environmental Science | 4 |
| CHM 15005 (TAG) General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHM 15505 (TAG) General Chemistry II | 5 |
| Total major area hours | 22 |
| Total required hours for degree | 61-62 |
