About

About the Biology Department

We are committed to providing intellectually rich and challenging learning experiences for majors and non-majors alike. These experiences are intended to communicate the foundations and frontiers of the life sciences (from molecules to ecosystems), the methods of biological inquiry, and the relevance of biology to society.

Our classes and faculty-student collaborative research activities are supported by first-rate laboratory facilities and equipment, including state-of-the-art technology for DNA and protein analysis, a flow cytometer, a real-time PCR system, a mammalian tissue culture facility, a research-grade greenhouse, image analysis and presentation equipment, a scanning electron microscope, and a wide assortment of other technical equipment supporting course work and research. In addition, classes and faculty and students conducting field research utilize the college’s 285-acre field station located on the bluffs of the Mississippi River just 25 minutes from campus.

Professor Stotra Chakrabarti delivers a Biology Seminar on “Beyond the Serengeti Lion: Understanding a model species across non-model systems.”

In addition to one-on-one advising, Biology faculty hold group advising sessions with students, both majors and non-majors, to discuss next semester’s course offerings.

Dr. Virginia Weis, Distinguished Professor and Dr. Russ and Dolores Gorman Faculty Scholar at Oregon State University, Dept of Integrative Biology, delivers the annual Jardetzky Lecture on “Coral symbiosis cell biology in the age of climate crisis: Turning discovery into solutions for saving reefs.”

The Biology department hosts weekly teas where faculty and staff gather informally for snacks and refreshments.

Biology Capstones

Biology seniors create capstones projects each spring, choosing whether to present their research as a poster or a talk. You can find profiles of our 2025-2026 seniors and abstracts of their projects here.