The Department of Biology seeks to develop among its students a thorough understanding of the principles governing biological processes and the methods used to expand scientific knowledge in this field. This understanding is developed through a combination of classroom study, laboratory experience, and research participation. The teaching and scholarly interests of the department's 11 faculty members range across biology, from cellular and molecular biology to ecology and evolutionary biology.
In the classroom, faculty provide information and problem solving strategies for students to use in order to understand the fundamental principles of biology. Wherever possible, the faculty use their own scholarly research as a resource to challenge students to integrate the most current scientific findings related to their coursework. The biology degree program is designed to allow students to concentrate in areas of interest, while providing the necessary breadth of an undergraduate biology program.
The department's facilities support teaching and research in biochemistry, botany, cell biology, developmental biology, ecology, endocrinology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, physiology, and systematic biology. Undergraduates have the opportunity to learn and perform a variety of modern research techniques such as chromatography, electrophoresis, gene sequencing, phase contrast and fluorescent microscopy, tissue culture and ultracentrifugation. In addition, the Cowles Life Science Building which houses the Biology Department, includes a greenhouse, animal research facilities, and walk-in controlled environmental chambers.
· Biology faculty are active scholars in a number of diverse areas.
· The undergraduate program stresses fundamental principles with wide and long-lasting applicability over vocational training.
· The program is designed to provide breadth, while allowing students to focus on areas of interest.
· Students have the opportunity to actively participate in faculty research programs.
· The program provides the basis for entry into a broad range of biology-related careers, including graduate and professional schools.
Many biology students participate in research courses or summer fellowships programs that involve collaborating in an ongoing faculty research program. This work often results in presentations at scientific meetings and publications in the scientific literature.
The Biology Department's Monday afternoon seminars allow students, faculty and scientists from both local and geographically-distant institutions to present the results of their research activities. Students can also participate in Trinity's chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the biological honor society, which offers a variety of extracurricular experiences including field trips and participation in tutorial services. Students may serve as assistants in the introductory laboratories. Some faculty have federal grants which provide student support for research during the summer months. Each year the department makes an award to an outstanding senior major and also awards one or more scholarships to biology majors through the Jacob Uhrich Scholarship Fund.
Comments about the biology program from recent graduates:
"All of my professors were both well prepared as well as easily reachable."
"I was very satisfied with the advising I received at Trinity. He took the time to find out what I really wanted to do with my life, helped me plan for it, and even got me involved in some of his research - which probably was important to my getting into graduate school. Now that I'm at a public research institution, I can more fully appreciate the efforts of faculty at Trinity."
"Anyone interested in pursuing a biology career (pre-med, Ph.D., pre-vet...) really needs to do some research. Getting anything published would really give students an advantage."
"Cellular & Molecular Biology helped a lot with analytical thinking. It prepared me with the difficulty of medical school. All other upper classes were well organized & informative."
"The professor's were/are superb. Quality teaching!"
"Immunology with Koppenheffer was an incredible course. He stressed independent, original thought and maintained rapid pace throughout, Cellular & Molecular Biology was also an excellent course for many of the same reasons."
"Great, friendly advisor. Also, most of my professors welcomed me into their offices whenever I needed help."
"Extremely satisfied. The annual pre-med spring lecture is very helpful. AED was helpful. Both students and faculty were very accessible."
The graduates of the program are successful in a broad range of careers in biology. Many graduates go onto professional schools in medical, veterinary, dental, or optometry fields. The Biology Department's medical school acceptance rate has averaged 67 percent over the past 10 years. An increasing number of students are entering biology graduate programs. Graduates of the Biology Department are also strongly represented in biology-related professions in the both the public and private sector (e.g. biotechnology technicians and managers, pharmaceutical sales representatives, wildlife and conservation biologists, biology and science teachers).
Dr. Thomas Koppenheffer, Chair
Department of Biology
(210) 999-7240
tkoppenh@trinity.edu
www.trinity.edu/departments/biology/