Department of Biology Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Biology is to contribute to the comprehensive liberal arts curriculum by fostering in students an appreciation of the relevance of the biological sciences to their lives and the choices they will be faced with as members of a society experiencing rapid technological advances. To this end, students will develop knowledge and skills that will enable them to evaluate the impact of their decisions on local, regional and global issues concerning the economy, personal health and welfare, and the environment. Students completing the biology major will be prepared for entry-level careers in science or to pursue advanced training in graduate and professional schools. To fulfill the mission, the biology curriculum is designed to address seven goals:
- To provide an understanding of the mechanics, application and limitations of the scientific process
- Develop an appreciation and understanding of evolution and the diversity of life
- Demonstrate the relationships between structure, function and energy in living systems
- Culture an appreciation for the historical development of scientific knowledge
- Instruct students in effective utilization of discipline-specific information resources
- Develop technical and analytical skills appropriate to modern biological investigation
- Enhance both written and oral communication skills appropriate to the discipline
Students in the biological sciences will be expected to have attained proficiency with respect to the following objectives:
- Apply the scientific method to problem solving
- Incorporate new information into the existing body of knowledge
- Be able to evaluate published scientific works
- Understand the evolutionary processes which lead to adaptation and biological diversity
- Understand the major features which distinguish the five kingdoms of life
- Understand the genetic, developmental and physiological mechanisms which are fundamental to all living organisms
- Understand that biological functions are dependent upon both energy requirements and structural constraints of a system
- Understand the events leading to the major scientific discoveries which underlie current biological paradigms
- Effectively use scientific journals, periodicals, and electronic media to access current biological information in specialized fields
- Analyze and interpret data from an experiment designed and executed by the student using appropriate modern techniques
- Prepare a formal written paper in scientific format and orally present the findings
