A Message from the Chair
We are pleased to welcome you to the , where our teaching and research span fields of study ranging from molecular to global biology. We offer B.A./ B.S. degrees in Biology, Botany, and Zoology, and . Graduate students may also pursue degree programs in Cellular, Molecular, and Structural Biology (CMSB) as well as Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology (EEEB).
We have over 1,500 undergraduate majors and 80 graduate students who are mentored and supported by 43 dedicated faculty and 30 professional and administrative staff. Biology also supports Project Dragonfly, which provides global field programs and inquiry-based science education for over 900 graduate students in M.A./M.A.T. degree programs geared towards zoo professionals and in-service teachers.
The Department of Biology is organized around six focal areas of faculty expertise: (1) molecular, cellular, and developmental biology, and genetics; (2) physiology and neuroscience; (3) organismal biology and zoology; (4) plant biology; (5) evolution, behavior, and conservation; and (6) ecology and environmental biology. The breadth of our expertise enables us to offer a wide range of courses, pre-professional programs, and research experiences that prepare students for success in graduate and professional schools and for career paths in health, biotechnology, the environment, and plant science.
Pearson Hall, the home to the Department of Biology, is newly renovated to provide first-class facilities for teaching and research as well as a study and collaborative spaces. Our affiliated centers and facilities offer students the opportunity to use state-of-the-art research instrumentation, to gain hands-on experience working with plants and animals, and to explore environmental education and outreach. Our 175-acre field station near Oxford provides facilities for experimental research and outdoor teaching. Over 1,000 acres of natural lands are adjacent to campus and can be used for teaching, research, or a walk in the woods.
We invite you to explore the many opportunities offered by the Department of Biology whether you are a prospective or a current student, alumni, partner organization, or employer. Visit us and you will understand why we are a successful department.
Paul A. Harding
Professor and Chair
Departmental Diversity Statement
In the Department of Biology, fostering a welcoming environment for all members of our community regardless of their background and identity stands at the very core of our mission. We value diversity and we are deeply committed to creating a place where people of all identities find confidence in themselves and thrive teaching and learning. We also recognize our responsibility and actively reject behaviors that disvalue diversity and inclusion, while maintaining dialogs that represent diverse opinions to further promote a welcoming and inclusive environment in our programs. As biologists, we know that diverse groups and ideas bring a wide array of valuable perspectives, which strengthen our teaching, learning, research, and science communication. Biology also provides us with fundamental knowledge that allows us to appreciate the essential aspects of diversity in our lives and prepares us to logically oppose inequality, which is unfortunately still prevalent in academia as well as in our society. We continuously strive to confront systemic inequalities and our own unconscious biases as we build a truly diverse and inclusive community by engaging in positive and inclusive behaviors and actively incorporating DEI principles in our teaching, research, and service.
Our efforts are in line with the missions of 兔子先生 University, whose efforts are detailed by and the Office of Equity and Equal Opportunity, the , as well as Advocate for Change.
Department of Biology
Students in undergraduate and graduate programs learn biological concepts taught by dedicated faculty and gain hands-on research experiences in the laboratory and field using first-class equipment, centers, and facilities. Our graduates pursue a wide variety of career paths in health, biotechnology, the environment, and plant science.