Dept. of Natural Sciences, (Biology, Chemistry & Physics)
Dr. Cadance Lowell, Chair
Benjamin Banneker Science Building
Office: (937) 376-6357
FAX: (937) 376-6585
About the Biology Program
A degree in Biology provides a liberal arts education with an emphasis on the complexity and beauty of the natural environment. The curriculum is designed to fulfill the professional requirements leading towards careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and graduate education in the biological and environmental sciences. The discipline also requires guided research at the undergraduate level for all biology majors. The curriculum in biology results in a Bachelor of Science Degree. Students may also pursue a degree in education. The teacher education program is designed for students pursuing a teaching career in middle school and AYA (high school) education with an emphasis in Life Science.
Students of biology take a broad-based curriculum that exposes them to genetics, microbiology, animal and plant biology, ecology, molecular cell biology and upper level electives, all in a small class setting. Students receive professional preparation through department-offered seminar series that bring in outside speakers and introduce students to career paths beginning with a biology degree. The program stresses the value of research in exposing students to biology. Research-oriented laboratories teach critical thinking and problem solving skills as well as develop mathematical and writing skills.
Undergraduate research (on-campus and/or summer internship) is required of all biology majors. Students present their research at local, state and national research conferences such as the Willie J. Washington Science Symposium (held on campus each year), the Ohio STARS Conference (held each spring at an Ohio college or university), the HBCU-UP conference, and the Undergraduate Research Symposia (in Puerto Rico). Professors also take their students to present at national meetings within their disciplines.
Biology maintains its own chapter (Lambda Iota) of Beta Beta Beta, a national honor society in biology. The emphasis of TriBeta is academic scholarship and biological research. The Lambda Iota chapter was founded in 1970 and inducts qualifying students into its ranks at least once each year. Biology also hosts the Biological Society, a group of students interested in biology that brings science speakers to campus and sponsors various science-related fund raisers on campus.
