About the Department

The mission of the faculty and staff of the Department of Biological Sciences is given by the goals outlined below. Our service to undergraduate and graduate students in biology, non-science majors, students preparing for careers in teaching, the greater university, and the community at large is guided by these goals.

1. To provide high quality instruction that develops, in an integrative manner, conceptual understanding, analytical skills, and enthusiasm for learning and inquiry in the biological sciences.
   1. Teach fundamental principles and unifying concepts in the biological sciences through a curriculum requiring exposure to multiple sub-disciplines of biology and designed in a multi-tier framework that begins with general classes that introduce biological concepts and ends with upper division electives in specific areas of interest.
   2. Teach students to function as a scientist, through exposure to the scientific process used in biology (hypothesis, experimentation, observation and analysis), including coursework and teaching laboratories incorporating experimental or discovery-based approaches, as well as reading and analysis of scientific research literature.
   3. Teach "scientific literacy", which we define as the ability to communicate science effectively in both written and oral formats, to think critically and logically, and to appreciate the linkage between biological science and society.
   4. Provide research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to promote integrated learning, and to promote the formulation of new ideas and the acquisition of knowledge by students and faculty.
   5. Provide a visible and easily accessible resource in the biological sciences to the community at large, through lectures and appropriate volunteer activities. Playing a role in the education of the general public is critical if we wish to live in a society governed by informed policy decisions.
2. To provide an atmosphere of research excellence that advances the department's contribution to new knowledge in the biological sciences.
   1. Provide faculty sufficient release time from traditional teaching for research, grant proposal writing, and effective laboratory based mentoring of students.
   2. Provide modern, functional infrastructure to faculty.
   3. Maintain successful research programs that attract high quality graduate students to our department.
   4. Provide financial support to graduate students in the form of departmental TA-ships and GA-ships as well as stipends from the University, grants, and other funded programs that will cover tuition and fees.
   5. Maintain undergraduate grants that provide stipends to undergraduate research students.
3. To hire, retain, and support tenure-track faculty of quality.
   1. Hire tenure-track faculty with excellent research credentials and the potential to become excellent teachers.
   2. Retain faculty who have demonstrated productivity in scientific research and quality in teaching.
   3. Tenure and promote faculty who have been and will continue to be productive scientists and excellent teachers.

For the Degree in Biological Sciences

1. Describe basic biological principles operating at the molecular, cellular, organismal, population and community levels.
2. Apply and use methods of scientific inquiry. Be able to pose questions, design experiments, and solve problems.
3. Use appropriate instruments, experimental techniques and quantitative methods to collect, organize and interpret data.
4. Be able to locate and critically to evaluate scientific literature, including on-line resources.
5. Communicate findings in written and oral form using appropriate format, language, and images.

For the Degree in Marine Biology

1. Characterize the phylogenic, morphological, and physiological diversity of marine organism, from microbes to marine mammals.
2. Describe the flow and transformations of energy in marine systems, including the factors that control primary production and production of higher trophic levels.
3. Explain how general concepts of ecology and evolution apply to marine organisms.
4. Use examples to explain how human activities impact the biology of marine systems.
5. Read and critique primary scientific literature, and write using scientific format.

For the Degree in Microbiology

1. Demonstrate subject matter knowledge in the areas prescribed by the American Society for microbiology including general principles of microbiology, microbial genetics, microbial ecology, immunology, virology, and cell and molecular biology.
2. Demonstrate competency in laboratory skills in microbiology including proper safety procedures.
3. Think critically, acquire scientific information, solve problems, and apply the scientific method.
4. Communicate effectively in written and oral forms.
5. Describe how microbiology relates to other scientific fields and society in general.

Students who successfully complete a Masters Degree in Biological Sciences or Microbiology will be able to:

1. Critically review and summarize the primary literature relevant to their sub-discipline.
2. Formulate hypotheses and predictions and design appropriate sampling and/or experimental protocols to evaluate them.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in field, laboratory, and/or computational skills relevant to their sub-discipline.
4. Visualize, model, and interpret data using statistical approaches relevant to their sub-discipline.
5. Display effective oral and written scientific communication skills that include presenting and defending a research-based thesis.