Department of Biological Sciences
Engaging students in the study of life
The Department of Biological Sciences provides students with a wide choice of experiences and opportunities in the life sciences — from medicine, to the environment, to basic and applied research in botany, ecology and evolutionary biology, marine biology, microbiology, and molecular biology.
Academics
Biology, the study of life, is composed of many disciplines unified by the fact that all living things—plants, animals, and microorganisms—follow the same fundamental laws of heredity, reproduction, growth, development, self-maintenance, interaction, and response. Find out more about our programs »
Research
A central focus of the Department of Biological Sciences is to engage students in the study of life through active learning in the classroom and through collaborative research in the laboratory and field. Perhaps the most necessary skills of a biologist are an inquisitive outlook and enthusiastic curiosity. Find out more about our research »
Faculty Success
Dr. Kim Mix presented at the 28th Conference on Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology in July 2020.
Dr. Kim Mix presented at the 28th Conference on Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology in July 2020. The presentation focused on the impact of applying bioinformatics methods to investigate SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences in molecular genetics class. Students learned how to evaluate mutation fitness and virus phylogeny in collaboration with scientists from Pine Biotech. This model for integrating bioinformatics into a molecular biology course was successfully reproduced by Dr. Laurie Minns at the University of Montana in an online summer course.
Student Success
Michael Pashkevich BIOL'17 is lead author on this new publication about the work he is doing for his Ph.D. at Cambridge.
Michael Pashkevich BIOL'17 is lead author on this new publication about the work he is doing for his Ph.D. at Cambridge. Click here to view the article.
Showcase
Coastal Restoration Event
Dr. Don Hauber participated in a coastal restoration event on February 29, 2020, sponsored by the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL). His group of volunteers Spread oyster shells in Buras, Louisiana to build up oyster reefs along the coast.