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School of Biological Sciences
Director: Catherine S. Gardiner, Ph.D.
Biological Sciences
Biological Sciences B.S.
The biological sciences study the diverse forms of life ranging from microorganisms and mammals to fungi and vascular plants. Study of these organisms includes how they interact with each other and with their environment, their strategies for obtaining energy and maintaining themselves, and the impact they have on our society.
All undergraduate programs require a core of common courses with a varied emphasis on development, structure and function, heredity and diversity among organisms. These emphases provide students an opportunity for preparation in organismal biology, biomedical sciences, cellular and molecular biology and secondary teaching in biology. Graduate programs are designed to meet the unique needs of students, enhancing their understanding of the biological sciences for teaching or for research.
Biomedical Sciences Emphasis
This emphasis is intended for those students having an interest in the medical and paramedical professions, this program meets the minimal requirements of most professional schools of health science. Undergraduates entering this program should have a strong science and mathematics background in high school.
Students who successfully complete the program will be able to apply for admission to medical, veterinary, dentistry, chiropractic, or paramedical professional programs. They will also be able to continue their education in graduate programs in the biological sciences (zoology, anatomy, physiology) or pursue careers in medicine, science or pharmaceutical sales.
Cell and Molecular Biology Emphasis
This program places emphasis on a thorough understanding of the biological principles underlying all living systems through study of the basic unit of life, the cell. Students should have an interest in working in research or industrial laboratories, including medical, microbiological or biotechnological laboratories. They should have a strong science and mathematics background in high school.
Students successfully completing this program will be well prepared to continue their education in graduate biological sciences programs (microbiology, genetics and molecular biology) and in most professional medical schools. Students will be qualified to work in industrial and various research laboratories in medicine, microbiology and biotechnology. This program encompasses a minor in chemistry.
Organismal Biology Emphasis
This emphasis focuses on organismal biology and on field courses. Students completing the program will acquire a broader background in science support courses than in other bachelor's level biological science programs. Students should have an interest in working with plants and animals in a field setting. A strong science and mathematics background in high school is beneficial to students wanting to become field biologists.
Students will be prepared to work for public or private sector environmental agencies such as state or federal wildlife agencies, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, various parks and recreation programs or private consulting agencies. They can also continue their education in graduate programs in the pure or applied biological sciences (botany, zoology, ecology, forestry, wildlife biology).
Biology Secondary Teaching Emphasis
This program leads to State of Colorado licensure in secondary science. Students receive in-depth training in biological sciences content and pedagogy plus a wide range of additional support science content. They should have an interest in teaching and have evidence of working successfully with young people. They should have a strong science and mathematics background in high school.
Students will meet licensure requirements of the Colorado Department of Education for teaching secondary science (grades 7-12). Upon completion of this program, students will also be able to continue their education in graduate programs in the biological sciences.
Students are encouraged to participate on independent research projects or internships with both faculty members and agencies outside the University to gain experience not available in the classroom.
Animal maintenance facilities, a microscopy imaging suite, a museum, herbarium and greenhouses are available for laboratory support and research. Field studies are encouraged, since there is ready access to both prairie and mountain habitats. Expertise and research interests of the faculty include systematics of plants, animals and microorganisms; genetics; molecular biology; animal behavior; cellular biology; reproductive biology; ecology; community and ecosystem structure; mammalogy; ornithology; plant and mammalian physiology; anatomy; and biology and science education.
For degree and program requirements see:
Cell and Molecular Biology Emphasis
Biology Secondary Teaching Emphasis
Biological Sciences M.S.
Admission. Before admission to the program students should have completed at least four courses in biology and a combined total of three courses in the areas of chemistry, calculus or physics. In addition to the application form and transcripts that are sent to the Graduate School, applicants must also include the following:
Students are strongly encouraged to review the research areas of the Biology faculty on our website and contact those faculty in whose research they are interested.
Results of the thesis research (Thesis Emphasis) must be presented orally in a seminar to faculty in Biological Sciences during the last semester prior to graduation. Non-thesis students must pass an examination to be administered by the advisor in the form of a written paper covering some aspect of their program of study.
The student must meet with a graduate advisor and graduate committee during the first semester of the program to determine a course of study. Electives must be selected to insure background and experience in the fundamental areas of biological sciences.
Non-Thesis Emphasis
The non-thesis emphasis is designed to be as flexible as possible. It is intended for those who wish to expand their background in biological sciences content or biological sciences pedagogy, including secondary biology and science teachers.
Thesis Emphasis
For students wanting to broaden their background in the biological sciences and to develop their research skills in preparation for a doctoral program or a research career. Students will gain the background in biological science and in research to allow them to enter professional fields of biology requiring advanced training or to enter advanced studies.
For degree and program requirements see:
Biological Education Ph.D.
This program is designed for graduate students interested in post-secondary discipline-based education in the biological sciences. Areas of emphasis prepare students to conduct and to supervise discipline-based pedagogical research at the university or college level or in content instruction at the two-and four year college level.
Admission. Before admission to the program students should have completed at least four courses in biology and a combined total of three courses in the areas of chemistry, calculus or physics. A master's content thesis may be required for students entering the program with a master's degree. This requirement may be met as a deficiency within the doctoral program. Students entering the program with only a baccalaureate degree will be required to complete a master's thesis equivalent research problem. In addition to the application form and transcripts that are sent to the Graduate School, applicants must also include:
To meet the student's professional goals, courses may be selected from graduate courses in other sciences, science education, educational technology, educational management and computer science with the approval of the advisory committee.
For degree and program requirements see:
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joyce.hays@unco.edu |
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