Biology Department

Mission Statement

Biology has had decades of extraordinary leadership which has served it well and has resulted in the design of holistic programs to prepare students for post baccalaureate studies, health professions, science education, and other science-related careers. The mission of the Biology Department is in consonance with the mission and goals of the University, especially as it relates to the development of tomorrow's leaders in professions utilizing biological knowledge. The major provides instruction in fundamental biological concepts, immersion in hands-on, minds-on field and laboratory exercises, and opportunities for greater specialization in emerging fields like biophysics, computational biology and genomics. Critical reasoning, intellectual inquiry, and mastery of the scientific jargon are aggressively fostered in the biology program. From the very beginning, students are involved in the practice of scientific inquiry and, in advanced courses, motivated to formulate testable hypotheses, design experiments and analyze data. These competencies are then demonstrated in the BIOL capstone course, BIOL401 Senior Seminar, in which students deliver a high quality scientific presentation and field questions which may be posed by any member of the BIOL faculty. The program promotes leadership and collaborative skills through group projects including recitations/precepts, discussions, lab experiments and reports. Advanced undergraduate students may serve as teaching and laboratory assistants. The department supports a chapter of Beta Kappa Chi, The Biology Club, and Pre-Professional Health Careers Advisory Program. These student-centered organizations offer leadership and service opportunities.

Vision Statement

The biology major is designed to: give students a broad understanding of the processes, concepts, and structures that characterize life at three basic levels: molecular/cellular, system/organism, and community/ecosystem; encourage scientific investigation and experimentation through laboratory and field experiences and independent, authentic research; and finally, prepare students for the further pursuit of graduate or professional school, or for careers in health care, public and private research, teaching, and related fields.
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DEGREE PROGRAMS

B.S. in Biology (PreHealth)

The biology core curriculum requires the completion of two mandatory introductory courses (cr. hr = 8) within the first year, after which students may select 5 to 7 advanced biological courses (cr. hr = 19 - 28) based on interests and career goals with the restriction that at least one course is taken in each of three major categories of biology (i.e., organismal/physiology, cellular and molecular, and environmental/ecology /evolution).

听听听听1. A required "core" of nine biology courses with labs representing three levels of life processes:

• three introductory courses with labs (BIOL120/121, BIOL230/231)
• molecular & cell biology (BIOL250/251)
• five biology electives with advanced content in each of the three levels

听听听听2. Senior seminar
听听听听3. Four required courses in chemistry
听听听听4. Two required courses in math
听听听听5. Two required courses in physics
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CLICK HERE TO VIEW BIOLOGY CURRICULUM

Graduate Study in Biology

The graduate study program in biology leads to the Master of Science degree. The offering听of a graduate degree in biology has several purposes. One of these is to offer students who have听attained the baccalaureate degree in biology or other natural sciences the opportunity to broaden听and increase their knowledge in the biological sciences.听听Another is the opportunity for students to enter into or expand their experience in the area听of experimental research in biology. These objectives may be achieved through selection of听elective courses offered in this department and allied areas (chemistry, agriculture, veterinary听medicine, etc.), and by the selection of a research area of concentration. The latter is with the听assistance of a major advisor in the department who will usually act as the student's major听professor. All graduate students are required to teach for one (1) year in the Freshman Biology听Program.

M.S. in Biology

The biology graduate program is designed to prepare students for further graduate work leading to a Ph.D.; to provide professional biologists with advanced research and educational opportunities; and to provide students with a broad-based graduate program allowing for specialization in the diverse fields of inquiry represented by the faculty of the department. The听application听procedure is simple!

Ph.D. in听Integrative Biosciences听

Advances in the life sciences that address local and global challenges require new approaches to graduate education and research. The 快活视频听Integrative Biosciences听(IBS) Ph.D. program is designed to develop professionals who have not only technical proficiency but who also possess the flexibility and adaptability to address the complexities of current challenges. Read about our mission, vision and collaborators of this program.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Learning Resource Center

The听Learning Resource Center听(LRC), located in room 207 Armstrong Hall, contains a library of听information about medical schools and their curricula, admissions requirements, and financial听planning that can be accessed for reference by any student (Biology or non-Biology major).听听Similar information is available about other programs such as Dentistry, Optometry, Pharmacy,听Physical Therapy, Physician's Assistant, and Public Health. The Center also contains printed and听computerized information about MCAT, GRE, and other standardized examinations as well as听information on summer enrichment/research programs and post baccalaureate programs.听听Applications for these examinations and programs are available in the Center.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL HEALTH CAREERS ADVISORY PROGRAM听

The听Pre-Professional Health Careers Advisory Program听(PHCAP) was established to assist student in the applications process for health careers.听 There are a series of workshops, meetings and private sessions that will ensure that each student has a well-rounded application.

MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING (MOUs)

The 快活视频 College of Arts and Sciences has partnerships with various medical institutions around the country with听Early Acceptance Programs.听

• Click here to view these听MOUs

OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH听

The听Office of Undergraduate Research听(OUR) is focused on exposing student to research-based careers and internships.听 Several seminars are hosted to allow for student to have one-on-on contact with working professional and laboratory techniques that will make them successful in the future.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Research Careers Program is coordinated by听Dr. Marcia Martinez. The purpose of the program听is to assist faculty engaged in biomedical research at 快活视频 with the development听of competitive research programs, as well as increase the number of underrepresented minorities听at 快活视频 conducting biomedical research. The program was establish to increase access research laboratories, attend national scientific听meetings, establish biomedical seminars for faculty and students, and promote student research听through mentoring. Students enrolled in undergraduate research can gain experience from faculty听members in Biology or from other biomedical departments on campus. Some of the research听conducted on campus has emphasis in cancer, toxicology, or reproductive physiology.

The听 MICROBE Project听aims to enhance the exposure of undergraduate students to research in and outside of the lecture hall.听听This Undergraduate 听Research program 听seeks 听to 听provide 听 more 听opportunities 听for 听students 听to 听perform 听research 听during 听the 听academic 听year.听

STUDENT SERVICES

• PreHealth Advising and Test Prep (Garland Wise, Richard Whittington)
• Career Information Forums
• Internship Placement
• Research Opportunities On-Campus and Abroad
• Resume Review and Revision
• Personal Statement Workshops
• Mock Interview Sessions
• Graduate and Professional School听 Application Assistance

Biology Faculty and Staff

CONTACT US

Dr. Chastity Bradford, Head
Department of Biology
College of Arts and Sciences
快活视频
1200 W.听Montgomery Rd.
Tuskegee, AL 36088

Location: Armstrong Hall, Room 107
Telephone: (334) 727-8822听
or (334) 727-8885
Fax: (334) 724-3919
E-mail:听cbradford@tuskegee.edu