Department of Biology
We deliver high-quality academic programs that reflect the latest advancements and technologies in the life sciences, provide you with meaningful, hands-on research experience, and help you develop the knowledge, skills, and experience you need for a lifetime of leadership and career success.
What will you study?
As a biology major, you will begin your studies by completing Marian University's biology core curriculum, which is specially sequenced to provide you with continual growth in your scientific and mathematical literacy. You'll also build strong written and verbal communication skills, learn to be a critical thinker, and engage in collaborative projects designed to improve your team-work and team-building skills.
You'll begin with 200-level core biology courses, including:
- BIO 202: Evolution and ecology
- BIO 203: Molecular genetics
- BIO 204: Cell biology
- BIO 205: Experimental design and statistical analysis for biologists
In these foundational courses, you will learn to read and interpret scientific literature; maintain meticulous lab notes; contribute to real scientific research; design, execute, and statistically interpret your own experiments; and write a research proposal to refine your experiments for use in upper-level elective courses.
Toward the end of the biology core curriculum, you will complete a seminar in biology careers in which you explore your strengths, values, and interests, selecting upper-level biology electives to tailor your educational experience to your career goals whether it be in health sciences, bio-organic chemistry, ecology, or any other aspect of biology. In the seminar you'll also prepare application materials for internships, jobs, and/or post-graduate programs.
Your studies culminate in a capstone experience in which you'll refine a scientific manuscript, popular press article, case study, or other scientific work of writing and submit your work for publication.