Academic Programs

Undergraduate Programs

Majors

The department offers a number of majors leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree.  The majors cover aquatic biology, general biology, biology teaching, biotechnology, biomedical sciences, cell biology, and ecology and field biology. These curricula are designed to provide students with a strong foundation in biology as well as providing the opportunity for specialization.  The departmental faculty is responsible for the development of these majors and the majority of the teaching.  In addition, the faculty encourages undergraduate student involvement in research in their laboratories and field projects

The department over the past five years has evaluated our courses and programs to better meet the needs of students; this in an ongoing process, so changes will be made in the future, contact advisors for most current information. This guide is a "snapshot" of our current program requirements. It is very important that you make contact with an academic advisor the first semester you enroll in courses designed for any of the programs listed in this handout. The programs require careful planning to ensure you take courses in a timely fashion and have the correct prerequisites needed to graduate "on-time".

General Biology (71-72 credits)

Program will provide flexibility and freedom for students to investigate a number of areas of biology. A broad degree program providing a wide variety of backgrounds in the biological sciences and related areas.

Biology Teaching (66 credits + 36 credits in Education)

This program provides coursework and training to allow the student to qualify for licensure in Minnesota to teach all science in grades 5-8, integrated science in grades 5-10, and Biology in grades 9-12.

Biotechnology (87 credits)

Program is recommended for students interested in biotechnology. Students may seek employment or apply for admission to graduate programs after graduation. Student should contact the program adviser early on.

Biomedical Sciences (80 credits)

Program allows students to prepare for entrance into schools providing professional training in health care fields, graduate school, or a career in lab or health related areas.

Ecology and Field Biology (79 credits)

Programs provide a framework of courses and field experiences with emphasis in the areas of Ecology and Natural Resources or Wildlife Biology. Both emphasis provide students with necessary course work and field experience toward certification as professionals in their fields.

Undergraduate Research

The department has a long history of undergraduate participation in faculty research.  This experience may be as short as a single semester or may last for a year or more and even culminate in a published paper.  There are opportunities for participating in either field-based or laboratory-based research.  Students interested in participating in research should talk with faculty members whose work is of interest to them.  To learn about the research interests of the faculty check out the faculty web pages.  Most of our faculty have extensive web pages describing their interests. 

Advising

All undergraduate students are assigned to a faculty advisor when they declare a major.  Faculty advisors work with the advisee to assure that the student is completing the required courses within the major as well as assisting the student in choosing elective courses which best suit their goals and interests.  In addition to assisting students in completing their undergraduate degrees, faculty advisors also help students in career development and graduate education.

Programs and Advisors

BS	General Biology	Julius
BS	Biology-Teaching	Minger, Simpson, Kochmann
BS	Biomedical Sciences	Cetkovic, Gazal, Meerschaert, Schuh,Tubbiola
BS	Biotechnology	Kvaal, Olson
BS	Ecology: Ecology Emphasis	Arriagada, Cook
BS	Ecology: Wildlife Emphasis	Cook, Restani
BES	Biology	Schuh
BS	Minor	Schuh
BS	Medical Technology	Schuh
BS
BS	Nursing	Nursing Office (BH-228)

Pre-Professional Programs and Advisors

Pre-Agriculture	Gazal
Pre-Chiropractic	Schuh
Pre-Dentistry	Schuh
Pres-Forestry	Arriagada
Pre-Horticulture	Arriagada
Pre-Medicine	Gazal, Tubbiola, Schuh
Pre-Mortuary Science	Schuh
Pre-Occupational Therapy	Schuh
Pre-Optometry	Gazal
Pre-Physical Therapy	Schuh
Pre-Podiatry	Tubbiola
Pre-Veterinary Medicine	Marcattilio, Gazal
Pre-Physician Assistant	Tubbiola
Transfer Student Advising	Schuh

Graduate Programs