Biology

Welcome to the Biology Department!

Biology Department Mission Statement

The Biology Department seeks to develop in each student an appreciation of contemporary issues in biology and an understanding of the principles governing life. This is accomplished through a rigorous, broadly based, laboratory-intensive curriculum taught by faculty who are dedicated, first and foremost, to enriching the learning experience of their students.

A major emphasis of our program is to encourage critical thinking and an active engagement in the biological sciences. We do this by keeping class sizes small and including a laboratory experience as an integral component of most courses. Many courses also incorporate independent research projects where students creatively build on fundamental concepts and techniques to address interesting biological questions.

The program further encourages and reinforces independent research skills by offering credit for on-campus Independent Research courses mentored by departmental faculty or off-campus Science internships in Biology.

In order to accomplish these pedagogical goals, the department hires only broadly-trained faculty who also possess expertise in a particular biological discipline. Faculty members are encouraged to establish and maintain active research programs in order to remain current in their disciplines, enthusiastic about their courses, and to provide independent study opportunities for students.

Human lung fibroblasts in cell tissue culture with lysosomes and nucleoli stained with acridine orange.  

This image was created by students in our Cell Biology course.