School of Biological Sciences
Director: Catherine S. Gardiner, Ph.D.
Biological Sciences
The biological sciences study all aspects of life from sub-cellular processes to planetary ecosystems. All undergraduate programs require a core of common courses to provide students with a solid foundation in the diversity and cellular basis of life, structure and function, heredity and development, and how organisms interact with each other and with their environment. Thereafter, students choose an area of emphasis that best suits their educational interests and goals. These emphasis areas are pre-health and biomedical science, cellular and molecular biology, ecology and evolutionary biology, and biology secondary teaching.
Students are encouraged to participate in independent research projects or internships with both faculty members and agencies outside the university to gain experience not available in the classroom. Practical application and hands-on experiences are supported with extensive support facilities including animal maintenance and greenhouse facilities, a microscopy and genomics imaging suite, a museum and herbarium, extensive state-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories, and other core biotechnology equipment. Field studies are encouraged, because 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 and evolution; molecular and cellular biology; animal behavior; reproductive biology; neurobiology; computational biology; plant biotechnology; toxicology and pharmacology; immunology and infectious disease; ecology; community and ecosystem structure; mammalogy; ornithology; plant and mammalian physiology; anatomy; and science and environmental education.
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. Undergraduates entering this program should have a strong science and mathematics background in high school or be prepared to do additional remedial work. Students successfully completing this program will be prepared to choose from a widely varied range of careers in the basic or applied biological sciences such as public health, the pharmaceutical industry, cancer research, biodiversity research, forensic biology, animal and plant agricultural sciences, and many others. Students will also be prepared to continue their education in graduate biological sciences programs (microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, physiology, endocrinology, immunology, developmental biology, etc.) and in most professional schools (medical, veterinary, etc.). This program encompasses a minor in chemistry.
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Emphasis
This emphasis focuses on organismal biology and on field courses. Students completing the program will acquire a background in taxonomy, the diversity of species, and life histories. Students should have an interest in working with plants and animals in a field setting. Undergraduates entering this program should have a strong science and mathematics background in high school or be prepared to do additional remedial work. 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, 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).
Pre-health and Biomedical Sciences Emphasis
This emphasis is intended for premed and other students having an interest in the human and animal health professions. This program meets the minimal requirements for admittance to most professional schools of health science. Undergraduates entering this program should have a strong science and mathematics background in high school or be prepared to do additional remedial work. Students who successfully complete the program will be prepared for admission to medical, veterinary, dentistry, chiropractic, or paramedical professional programs. They will also be prepared to continue their education in a wide range of graduate programs as diverse as microbiology and human physiology. This would also be an appropriate emphasis for students interested in working in health communication, pharmaceutical sales, hospitals, biotechnology companies, or government laboratories such as the Centers for Disease Control.
Biology Secondary Teaching Emphasis
This program leads to State of Colorado licensure in secondary science. Students receive 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. Undergraduates entering this program should have a strong science and mathematics background in high school or be prepared to do additional remedial work. 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. Prior to Student Teaching, students must pass the PRAXIS Science Examination.
For degree and program requirements see:
Pre-health and Biomedical Sciences Emphasis
Cell and Molecular Biology Emphasis