Indiana State University

The University offers a bachelor of science (BS) in biology.

The field of biological sciences continues to experience rapid growth. The discovery of new technologies is changing our understanding of organisms, their molecular and cellular components, and their interactions with each other and the environment. By integrating the various sub-disciplines of the field, biological sciences contributes new knowledge and skills to areas such as medicine, agriculture, teaching, bioinformatics, genomics, biotechnology, and environmental and wildlife management.

The program enables students to choose from an array of courses that provide the information and skills necessary to understand the complex processes of life and prepare for a career in government agencies, industry, medicine, research, teaching, or business. The program also prepares students for graduate school or professional schools such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, optometry, pharmacy, dental hygiene, or forensic science.

Coursework includes a core of biological sciences courses and laboratory experiences in each of the following areas:

• Principles of biology
• Cellular and microbial biology (with molecular biology)
• Ecology and evolution
• General physiology
• General genetics (with molecular biology)

In addition, students may choose an area of emphasis to meet the course elective requirements. These unofficial emphasis areas allow students to specialize the program to meet their career goals and can include ares such as: cellular and molecular biology, microbiology, molecular biology and biotechnology, organismal and conservation biology, physiology, and plant biology.

Students also develop key career skills through laboratory exercises and field experiences that allow them to apply the principles learned in lectures. Most courses in the major include a laboratory component, providing training in skills that range from basic chemistry through physiology to complex molecular techniques.

Students benefit from relatively small class sizes that enable them to work one-on-one with faculty. Facilities include well-equipped modern laboratories with sophisticated instruments and computers designed to facilitate learning and research. A quantitative approach to topics and data in most courses emphasizes the importance of mathematics skills and reasoning in career choices for biology majors.

The University has supercomputing facilities for high-end computational research. Additional resources for scientific study include the Indiana University School of Medicine-Terre Haute, located on the ISU campus. The department is also home to the Center for Bat Research Conservation and Outreach and also houses the facilities for The Center for Genomic Advocacy, which has state-of-the-art equipment for sequencing genomes.

One of the distinctive aspects of the department is the emphasis on research. Students can work with faculty and doctoral students conducting original research projects that can result in presentations at scientific meetings and publications in scientific journals. Students are encouraged to begin research experience as early as possible in their undergraduate career. Research strengthens understanding of core principles, and gives students practical experiences that are enhance likelihood of success in subsequent career pathways.

In addition, the department offers several program-related student organizations, including the Xi Kappa chapter of the Tri Beta Biology Honor Society and the Fish and Wildlife Club.