Gene Kritsky, Ph.D., Chairperson
The Biology Department offers courses designed to meet the needs of a wide variety of students. The program aims to cultivate an understanding and appreciation of the creative and critical nature of scientific thought, as well as a knowledge of the processes involved in the phenomenon of life. In addition, students acquire skills necessary for the further pursuit of biological knowledge. Students who wish to pursue a career in research and industry, who plan to continue their education on the graduate level, and those preparing for careers in medicine or other health professions will be well prepared by the completion of the biology major. Courses are also offered for students who desire to obtain some knowledge of biology as part of their general education, those who need a mastery of certain areas of biology to complement other programs such as nursing, athletic training and physical therapy, and those who propose to specialize in this subject in preparation for a teaching license. The Biology Department is home to the Xi Gamma Chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the Biological Honor Society, a national society devoted to the pursuit and dissemination of scientific knowledge.
The majors' curriculum is designed to accommodate a variety of interests and abilities within the discipline of biology. The department provides a solid foundation in biology and permits students to focus on courses in which they have particular interest and which will best prepare them for advanced study in biology, for Ohio teacher licensure, for professional programs such as medicine or dentistry, and for employment in industry. The student-advisor relationship is a crucial component of appropriate curricular planning, and students are expected to set clear goals and follow a sequence of courses appropriate for meeting those goals.
The Biology Department encourages undergraduate participation in research with the faculty or through opportunities at other research facilities. To support the research experience the department houses research facilities in molecular biology, genetics, ornithology, bioanthropology, anatomy, neurobiology, paleobiology, botany and entomology. Alternatively, in consultation with his or her advisor and in keeping with the student's goals, a directed study project or an internship may be chosen in place of the experimental research project.
To remain a biology major, a student must have achieved a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in all courses used toward the major (for example biology, chemistry, geology, physics) at the end of the first semester of study. At the end of the second semester of study, the minimum cumulative grade point average in courses used toward the major must be 2.25 and at the end of the third semester of study it must be at least 2.5. By the end of the fourth semester of study and beyond, a biology major must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 in all courses used toward the major. If at any time during the subsequent years of study, a student's cumulative grade point average in these courses drops below 2.75, the student must meet with his or her advisor to develop a plan for improvement and for meeting the required standard.
Learning Outcomes
Requirements for Ohio Teacher Licensure in Biology
Students choosing a major in biology who also want to pursue Ohio teacher licensure must satisfy the same requirements as the major and additional requirements in chemistry and physical sciences, and education. The pertinent Adolescent to Young Adult License (grades 7-12) is biology/life science, chemistry/life science or integrated science. See Education. A concentration in science is available in the Middle Childhood Licensure (grades 4-9) program. See Education.
Minor in Forensic Science
The Biology Department offers a minor in Forensic Science particularly designed for students majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Criminology, Neuroscience, Psychology, and Sociology. Typically, students in these majors will only need to complete an additional 14-18 credit hours to fulfill the minor, however, students from any major may pursue the Forensic Science Minor.
The minor consists of 30 total credit hours, many of which satisfy major or liberal arts and science requirements.