Academics > Biology

Biology

The Biology Major

The Walsh University Division of Math & Sciences provides coursework, laboratory training and research experience to properly prepare our students with a major in Biology. The structure of the major includes studies in various specialized areas of Biology like Genetics, Microbiology, Botany and foundational courses in Chemistry. Our Biology Faculty (100% Ph.D.) includes scientists who are both excellent teachers and competent researchers. The Biology major involves 32 semester hours of required coursework and labs in Biology. A typical sequence of Biology courses is shown below:

Year 1

BIO 101:	Principles of Biology I	(3 sem hrs)
BIO 101L:	Principles of Biology I Lab	(1 sem hr, one 3-hour lab per week)
BIO 102:	Principles of Biology II	(3 sem hrs)
BIO102L:	Principles of Biology II Lab	(1 sem hr, one 3-hour lab per week)

In addition, the first year biology major would take Principles of Chemistry 101-102 & Labs

Year 2

BIO 206:	Microbiology	(3 sem hrs)
BIO 206L:	Microbiology Lab	(1 sem hr, one 2-hour lab per week)
BIO	Anatomy & Physiology	(3 sem hrs)
BIO	Elective Lab	(1 sem hr, one 2-hour lab per week)

In addition, the second year biology major would take Organic Chemistry 201-202 & Labs

Year 3

BIO 305:	Botany	(4 sem hrs, includes lab)
BIO 300-400	Elective	(3-4 sem hr)
BIO 300-400	Elective	(3-4 sem hr)
BIO 300-400	Elective	(3-4 sem hr)
BIO 411-12	Introduction to Research	(1-2 sem hr)

In addition, the third year biology major would take Physics 101-102 & Labs

Year 4

BIO 300-400	Elective	(3 sem hrs)
BIO 300-400	Elective	(1 sem hr, one 4-hour lab per week)
BIO 411-12	Introduction to Research	(1-2 sem hrs)

Electives include courses like Immunology, Anatomy & Physiology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Comparative Anatomy, Biochemistry, Parasitology, and others.  These electives provide a wide range of opportunities to learn specialized topics and to refine advanced knowledge for graduate programs.  In addition, all Biology majors must complete either Calculus I or Elementary Functions I & II.

Goals of the Major:
Students will be properly prepared to enter graduate programs (MS or Ph.D.) in Biology or related fields, to directly enter the workforce and perform common laboratory work in R&D or QC, or to enter professional schools for ongoing training in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, etc...

Students will become familiar with and understand applications of central scientific theories in biology and chemistry including molecular biological theories, the theory of evolution, and all major chemical theories. 

Students will learn how to collect and manage laboratory data along with graphing data, presenting tables, basic statistics and proper safety procedures.

Students will have been exposed to and have the opportunity to learn techniques in Spectroscopy, NMR, FT-IR, Chromatography (GC, HPLC, TLC and Column), Electrophoresis, Bioinformatics, Computer-based Chemical Modeling, Organic Synthesis and Product Isolation, and various others.

Students will learn how to read and understand the current biological literature, write laboratory papers in publication format, present poster sessions and critique ideas for their merit.

Our Biology Faculty:
Dr. Michael Dunphy, Professor of Biochemistry, Division Chair Math & Sciences
Dr. Ann Caplea, Associate Professor of Physiology
Dr. Darlene Walro, Associate Professor of Microbiology
Dr. Tom Freeland, Associate Professor of Pharmacology & Molecular Biology
Dr. Jennifer Clevinger, Assistant Professor of Molecular Botany
Dr. Jackie Novak, Assistant Professor of Physiology

Please contact Dr. Dunphy (mdunphy@walsh.edu) to talk about how we can help you become a Biology major at Walsh University and start you toward a great career in the sciences.