Biology

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Courses offered in the Biology Department allow students to choose from several areas of study, including preparation for graduate programs, careers in the health sciences, or industry or other areas in the biological sciences.
Students who earn a B.S. or B.A. degree in biology and who meet the entrance requirements may apply to schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, osteopathic medicine, chiropractic, veterinary medicine, physical therapy or other health related programs. Further opportunities include advanced study in graduate school or career positions with industry, government or private agencies in biologically related fields such as biotechnology and conservation biology.

DEGREE OPTIONS
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in biology

PROGRAM SIZE
Approximately 190 students are enrolled in the major. Average class size is 24 students.

FACULTY
The Biology Department includes 10 full-time faculty; all have earned their doctoral degrees. All full-time faculty are engaged in teaching classes from introductory to advanced levels.

ACADEMIC PREPARATION
It is highly recommended that students take high school courses in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics in preparation for a biology major.

REQUIRED CREDIT HOURS AND COURSES FOR A MAJOR
Minimum of 32 credit hours in biology, of which at least eleven credit hours must be from laboratory courses, including the following requirements:

Biology 12 and 13 — General and Pre–Professional Biology
Biology 191 and 192 — Seminar in Biology
Biology 199 — Senior Capstone Experience

And one course from each of the following five categories (asterisk * denotes courses with laboratory component):

Molecular and Cellular Processes
Biology 105 — Introduction to Genetics
Biology 165* — Cell Biology
Biology 186*— Molecular Biology
Biology 188* — Structural Biology

Biological Diversity
Biology 019* — Introduction to Botany
Biology 101* — Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates
Biology 103* — Microbiology
Biology 121* — Parasitology
Biology 123* — Biology of Invertebrates

Systems Biology
Biology 018* — Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
Biology 126* — Developmental Biology
Biology 127* — Histology
Biology 129* — Mammalian Physiology
Biology 182* — Immunology
Biology 198 — Endocrinology

Ecology/Evolution
Biology 091 — Understanding Evolution
Biology 117* — Ecology
Biology 125* — Conservation Biology
Biology 152* — Field Botany
Biology 168* — Limnology

Applications of Biological Principles
Biology 024 — Field Ornithology
Biology 061 — Natural History Photography
Biology 095 — Principles of Microbiology
Biology 099 — Biological Research and Statistical Methods
Biology 106* — Research in Genetics
Biology 108 — Emerging Infectious Diseases
Biology 110 — Iowa Natural History
Biology 115* — Aquatic Biology
Biology 119* — Herpetology
Biology 120* — Ecosystem Ecology
Biology 122* — Mammalogy
Biology 138 — History of Biology
Biology 141 — Biology of Terrorism
Biology 156 — Biology Short Course
Biology 158 — Biomedical Aspects of Aging
Biology 167* — Population and Community Ecology
Biology 176* — Neurophysiology
Biology 181 — Introduction to Virology
Biology 185 — Human Genetics
Biology 187* — Cell and Molecular Biology Lab
Biology 189 — Regulatory Biology
Biology 193* — Senior Lab Assistant
Biology 195* — Advanced Molecular Life Science Lab
Biology 198 — Clinical Investigations

Additional requirements for the major include:
Mathematics 20 — College Algebra or higher
Chemistry 1/3 and 2/4 — General Chemistry I and II
Chemistry 107/109 and 108/110 — Organic Chemistry
Physics 11 and 12 — General Physics I and II

Students pursuing the B.A. degree also must take one course, of at least three credit hours, in either calculus, statistics or Computer Science 65.

Bachelor of Science Degree
For the B.S. degree, Computer Science 65 or a course in calculus is recommended. The B.S degree program is designed to provide experience in research, and students pursuing this degree must complete Biology 99, Biological Research and Statistical Methods, or its equivalent and Biology 197, Undergraduate Research. All undergraduate research projects must be planned with the assistance of the faculty adviser and given approval by the Biology Department prior to the research experience.

No more than 2 credit hours of Biology 197 or its equivalent can be applied toward the Biology major. At the conclusion of their research project, students in the B.S. program must deliver a formal presentation on their research to the department and submit to the department a written or electronic document. Students are required to present their research project in the Biology 192 Seminar course, and must be enrolled in Biology 192 during the semester they give their presentation.

First-year students who plan to major in biology are encouraged to enroll in Biology 15, Introduction to Biology, during the fall semester of their first year. Students have the responsibility to develop their program of study and review it with their faculty adviser in biology.

Pre-Professional Study and Combined Degree Programs
The requirements for entrance into schools of dentistry, law, medical technology, medicine, mortuary science, optometry, osteopathic medicine, physical therapy, physician's assistant, podiatry, religious education, theology, social work, veterinary medicine, chiropractic and other professional schools are not uniform. This makes the early selection of a specific professional school advisable. The student's pre-professional study program can then be correlated with the entrance requirements of that institution.

Students who achieve the objectives of a liberal education are well qualified to pursue professional study. A widely diversified program is recommended to develop competence in communication and inquiry and an awareness of human values, social institutions and the physical environment. A faculty adviser works closely with each student to develop a program fitted to the student's interests and needs.

A number of professional schools admit students who have attained senior standing and have completed general requirements for graduation and requirements in their major field of concentration to pursue a combined degree program. With faculty approval, biology students admitted to an accredited program in dentistry, law, medical technology or medicine may apply the first year of professional study toward graduation. Contact the Office of the Dean for further information on combined degree programs.

Medicine and Allied Fields
Schools of dentistry, medicine and allied fields recognize the importance of a broad education -- a strong foundation in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics), highly developed communication skills, and a solid background in the social sciences and humanities. Most applicants for professional schools have majored in one of the sciences; however, a student may select a major from any discipline that represents a field of personal interest in which high academic achievement can be realized while at the same time completing required science courses. Such qualities as leadership, dedication, and diversity of interests should be developed during a pre-professional program.

Pre-Medicine/Pre-Dentistry
Medical and dental schools designate certain required courses as prerequisites for admission, among which are 8 to 20 credit hours of biology, 16 to 20 hours of chemistry, 4 to 8 hours of mathematics, and 8 hours of physics. Some schools require study in rhetoric, foreign language, behavioral sciences, social sciences and others.

Students plan a pre-medical or pre-dental program in consultation with faculty advisers. The early selection of a professional school presents the opportunity to effectively plan for the completion of required courses for professional school, while at the same time developing a major in the student's choice of discipline.

REQUIRED CREDIT HOURS AND COURSES OUTSIDE MAJOR
The Drake Curriculum, required of all undergraduates, is designed to help students meet personal and professional goals as they acquire fundamental knowledge and abilities in ten Areas of Inquiry, including communication, critical thinking, artistic experience, historical consciousness, information and technology literacy, international and multicultural experiences, scientific and quantitative literacy, values and ethics and engaged citizenship. Students work closely with their academic advisers to craft a program of study in general education that prepares students for civic and professional leadership.

The Drake Curriculum also requires first-year seminars, which foster development of critical thinking and written and oral communication skills through a topical focus; and a Senior Capstone, in which students demonstrate the capacity to bring information, skills and ideas to bear on one project.

REQUIRED CREDIT HOURS AND COURSES FOR A MINOR
Completion of 20 credit hours in biology, of which at least five credit hours must be from laboratory courses. A minimum grade-point average of 2.00 must be achieved, and credit/no-credit courses may not be used for the minor. The program for the biology minor must be approved by the chair of the Biology Department.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES/INTERNSHIPS
The Department sponsors a weekly seminar series for biology majors. Speakers include scientists, faculty, students and professionals from the greater Des Moines area. Students may intern in clinical settings at Mercy Hospital and Iowa Methodist Medical Center, as well as research experiences at Pioneer Hi-Bred. Students can intern at Des Moines Blank Park Zoo and the various Iowa, Polk County, and Des Moines parks. Students in biology regularly intern at government water quality laboratories.

CAREER OPTIONS
Biology graduates advance to schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, osteopathic medicine, chiropractic, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, medical technology, and related health studies. Other opportunities include advanced studies in graduate school or career positions with industry, biotechnology, government or private agencies in biologically related fields, or in environmental science, marine science or conservation biology.

ORGANIZATIONS
Superior students may be elected to the national honor society for biology, Beta Beta Beta, or the premedical honor society, Alpha Epsilon Delta. A variety of organizations allow for student participation in areas of primary interest.

NOTED ALUMNI

David Ferguson, AS'73, cardiologist, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD
Karen Gerdes, AS'83, pediatric critical care, Blank Children's Hospital, Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines, IA
Thomas Bennett, AS'72, physician and general and forensic pathologist, Pathology Consultants and Yellowstone Pathology Institute, Billings, MT
Timothy Ley, AS'74, professor of hematology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Anita Peters, AS'84, family practice, Anamosa, IA
Utley Noble, AS'85, special agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation - Memphis division, Columbia, TN
Paul Bush, GR'94, director of forensic pathology, State of Iowa, Des Moines, IA
Frank Sylvester, AS'97, professor of physiology, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Lara Lunde, AS'96, internal medicine, University of South Dakota
Robert Paul, AS'84, cardiology, Iowa Heart, Des Moines, IA
Brian Erling, AS'95, medical student, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Lindsey Stephens, AS'98, president, Medihealth Solutions, West Des Moines, IA

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