Department of Biology

Anissa Evans Buckner, Chair

Professor

Anissa Evans Buckner
Joseph Onyilagha

Associate Professors

Selma Dagtas
Joy Jackson
Sederick Rice

Assistant Professors

Traci Hudson
Vinay Raj

Instructor

Nastassia Merriweather

Laboratory Coordinator/ Special Instructor

Charla Wiley

Administrative Specialist

Jacquelyn Faucette

The mission of the Department is to provide a rigorous program for academic instruction in the biological sciences for students from all socioeconomic levels of the population. The program prepares students for graduate/professional programs and productive entry-level employment.

The Department offers two Bachelor of Science degrees, Biology and Science Education-Life Science. The Bachelor of Science in Biology includes four majors- General Biology, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Pharmacy.

The Department recognizes a special obligation to students who choose to major in biology and is committed to providing those individuals with a thorough knowledge of facts, principles, and concepts of biology. This process will enable students to pursue graduate and professional studies, careers in research and teaching or work as professional biologists and ultimately become productive citizens in their chosen fields.

The Department seeks to provide opportunities and experiences for its majors that will enable them to have an appreciation for, as well as an understanding of, the importance of the liberal and fine arts to being informed members of society.

The Department seeks to provide knowledge and experiences in the biological sciences as a foundation for students who are pursuing other science majors.

The Department of Biology aims to meet the goals listed below:

Provide students with knowledge of biological principles so they may be able to understand these principles and their inter-relatedness within the context of current biological thinking;
Recognize a particular responsibility of preparing students for graduate work and research careers in the biological sciences;
Recognize a special responsibility in preparing students for careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and allied health professions and teaching;
Provide the education of students who major in biology, but desire to teach in secondary schools. The first course in biology is designed to meet the individual student’s need in that regard;
Provide students with opportunities and experiences that may enable them to develop competency in oral and written communications of biological information using an acceptable scientific format; and
Provide knowledge and experiences in the biological sciences as a foundation for students who are pursuing other science majors.

General Department Requirements

Student majors are assigned an advisor to direct their curriculum based on specific core courses and optional “elective courses.” The advisor will assist students in choosing elective courses that are appropriate to their interest and goals. Individual students’ curricula may vary based on optional elective courses.

Each curriculum has a suggested course sequence. In all cases, students should plan their course sequence in consultation with their advisors.

All science majors must take Principles of Biology (BIOL 1455 ) before attempting to take any higher numbered courses in biology. Principles of Biology II (BIOL 1456 ) is also required for all biology majors before attempting any higher numbered courses in biology.

Majors must take BIOL 1455 - Principles of Biology (ACTS BIOL 1014) and BIOL 1456 - Principles of Biology II before attempting to take any higher numbered courses in biology.
Majors must present a grade of “C” or better in all required biology courses and in support courses in chemistry, mathematics, physics, computer science, and a foreign language.
Students should normally take required courses in sequence as indicated in the curricula outlines.
Majors must take a comprehensive examination in biology during the last semester of their senior year.
Majors in biology are encouraged to acquaint themselves with institutional requirements. Requirements listed in this section supplement, but do not supplant, institutional requirements.

Programs

Major

Minor

Biology Minor