Chair and Professor: Seeley
Assistant Chair and Professor: Bowmer
Director of Graduate Programs and Professor: J. Anderson
Professors: R. Anderson, Farrell, Griffith, Holte, House, Huntly,
Keller, Kritsky,
J. McCune, R. McCune, Minshall, Scalarone, Spall, Stephens, Streubel,
Trost, Tullis, Urfer, Winston
Associate Professors: Akerston, Bunde, Rose, Peterson
Assistant Professors: Eshelman, Hill, Inouye, Meldrum, Rodnick, Smith,
Spiegel, Watwood
Affiliate Faculty: Apel, Bechard, Bunde, Cade, Carlson-Lammers, Chapman,
Chesson, Clark, Colwell, Connelly, Johnson, Keay, La Patra, Markham,
Mickelson, Morris, Platts, Polman, Quigley, Reynolds, Roberto,
Rosentreter, Shoaf, Sommer, Stone, Torma, Von Dohlen, Ward, Watson
Research Assistant Professor: Laundre, Limbach
The Department of Biological Sciences offers the following undergraduate degrees:
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Botany
Bachelor of Science in Ecology
Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Zoology
Bachelor of Science in Microbiology
Bachelor of Science in Microbiology/Medical Technology emphasis
Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology
Bachelor of Science in
Biochemistry*
*(Joint program with the Department of Chemistry.)
The student pursuing any B.S. degree in the biological sciences must complete General Education Goals 1, 2, 3; Goals 4 and 5; two of Goals 6, 7, 8; and three of Goals 9, 10, 11, and 12 (Goals 10 A and 10 B are alternate means of satisfying Goal 10), in addition to satisfying the departmental requirements. A student pursuing a B. A. in botany or zoology must complete all General Education Goals (i. e., Goals 1-9, 10 A and 10 B, and 11-12) in addition to satisfying the departmental requirements. The biology major, with a minimum of required courses, is designed to present the student selecting this major with considerable latitude in developing his or her own program. It also has the flexibility of permitting a student to select courses to meet the State of Idaho requirements for teacher certification while completing a degree in the Department of Biological Sciences. The student is permitted 67 elective hours in the program. Eight of these credits must be selected from biology with the remainder restricted only by university general requirements.
The undergraduate majors in botany and zoology are designed to prepare students for professional and graduate schools. These majors incorporate the biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and language required to meet the admission requirements of most graduate and professional schools. Included in these programs are the General Education Requirements as well as electives which permit considerable breadth in training.
The ecology program seeks to develop an understanding of ecological systems and their reactions to perturbations, expertise in problem solving and communication skills, and a solid background in basic ecology and supporting disciplines. The curriculum emphasizes environmental assessment and the collection and analysis of field data through in-depth studies of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The curriculum was designed to meet the needs of students who are interested in environmental assessment, planning, or conservation, or of those who wish to pursue advanced training in ecology or natural resource management.
The student majoring in microbiology, medical technology, or biochemistry is provided with a broad base of theoretical and practical knowledge which will qualify him or her either for an immediate career in microbiology, medical technology, or biochemistry or for further education in graduate or professional school. Men and women in the health professions use their microbiological and biochemical training daily to diagnose and treat disease conditions caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, cancers, and biochemical imbalances. Food microbiologists and research scientists directly apply their knowledge of the basic principles of microbiology and biochemistry in the development and processing of their products. Doctors, nurses, and medical and dental technicians constantly utilize microbiology training in their work.
Students should consult current departmental list of course rotations to determine which semesters and years these courses will be offered.