Biology Overview

The Department of Biology offers undergraduate programs for students interested in careers in teaching; research; graduate study; medical, dental and nursing schools; scientific illustration; technical writing; industrial technology; pharmaceutical work; the Peace Corps; natural resources; public health; and food and drug technology.

As a student in the biology department, you will take courses in organismal and molecular biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics. You will be prepared professionally and academically, and your course work will be practical, comprehensive and specialized.

Specific Information

The Bachelor of Science degree program with a major in biology is designed to provide you with a broad-based biology curriculum. Requirements include 38 credit hours of biology, 16 credit hours of chemistry, 4 credit hours of mathematics and fulfilling the general education requirements.

You will experience laboratory investigations and observations, field work, individual research projects with a faculty member, and preparation of library and laboratory research papers.

A minor in biology provides you with knowledge and skills to complement your major area of study-usually, but not limited to chemistry or mathematics-while expanding career options such as teaching. The minor in biology consists of 20 credit hours in biology and 8 credit hours of chemistry.

The Secondary Teacher Certification program provides you with a strong background to teach high school biology. You will take the same required courses for the major; but you must take clinical anatomy and physiology (BIO 267), ecology and the environment (BIO 201), the teaching of biology (BIO 347) and all of the courses required by the Edu­cation Department in the certification sequence.

Career Information

Graduates from the Biology Department have a wide variety of career opportunities available to them. Marygrove’s graduates are working as teachers, research assistants in hospitals and universities, doc­tors, dentists, college professors and supervisors in industry.

Our graduates have stated that the strong background in biology, library and laboratory research experiences; oral and writing communication skills requirements; and computer literacy training provided them with the tools to become successful leaders in their chosen fields.

Special Elements of the Program

Academic Performance
Only required courses with a grade no lower than a C can be applied to fulfill the biology major or minor degree.

Standardized National Assessment Exam
All students majoring in Biology must participate in a National Assessment Instrument (i.e., MTTC, GRE, MCAT, ACS) prior to graduation (See F below).

Sigma Zeta National Honor Society
Sigma Zeta is a national science and mathematics honor society. It was founded at Shurtleff College, in Alton, Illinois in 1926. Today, more than forty local chapters are active in colleges and universities across the United States. The society encourages and fosters achievement of greater knowledge in the fields of science and mathematics. Outstanding scholastic achievement in the fields is recognized through membership in this society.

Program Offering
The B.S. in Biology program is primarily a day program, some courses are offered in the evening on a rotating schedule. A student may complete a minor program in biology in the day or evening.