Biology at NMU

The Biology Department offers programs for undergraduate majors, minors and graduate students. The offerings complement programs in nursing, health, liberal arts and sciences, physical education, clinical laboratory science, and conservation, among others. The courses emphasize fundamental concepts of biology at the subcellular, organismic, and population levels. The laboratory courses provide students with first-hand experience in understanding biological concepts, thus furthering their understanding of human life.

An education in biology can lead to a professional career in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, allied health, optometry, physical therapy, wildlife biology, waste water management, environmental control, teaching, and research. Opportunities for employment exist in business, industry, hospitals, universities, the military, and government at all levels. In addition, a biology degree is excellent preparation for graduate work leading to careers in the areas noted above. In many cases, an advanced degree is a requirement for employment or for promotion to higher levels. A strong background in the physical sciences, social sciences, or business is helpful to a biological career.

Biology Programs

The department offers programs leading to the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science and master of science in biology. The Biology Department offers four separate majors. These majors are biology, botany, zoology and biology/secondary education. Students with a biology major have the opportunity of further specialization by choosing from one of four concentrations; general biology, ecology, microbiology, and physiology. In addition, the Biology Department contributes course work to interdisciplinary programs in water science, biochemistry, environmental science, diagnostic genetics, and science technologist. The department also offers three minor programs of study: biology, human biology and biology education.

Biologists should have a knowledge of organisms at all levels ranging from molecular activities within cells to ecosystem dynamics. For this reason, the biology tracks and the botany and zoology majors are all built around the same core of courses: Introductory Biology (BI 111, BI 112), Principles of Ecology (BI 210), Genetics (BI 312), Evolution (BI 315) and a physiology (BI 222 or BI 431), microbiology (BI 303), or cell biology (BI 313) course. The remaining courses for the major are selected to satisfy the student’s interests and career plans. Students who plan to apply to a professional school or pursue graduate work in biology are strongly advised to include CH 321 and CH 322 and a year of physics.

General Biology

This major provides an opportunity for a diversified background in biology, applicable to a wide range of introductory positions of employment in business and industry, hospitals, universities, the military, and government at the local, state and federal levels. It also provides excellent preparation for graduate work in biology or related sciences.

Biology - Ecology Emphasis

This program provides students a background for further studies or for introductory positions of employment in fish and wildlife management, forestry, environmental science, and other natural resource fields. Students interested in a career in wildlife biology should obtain information from the Biology Department on course selection for certification as an associate wildlife biologist.

Biology - Microbiology Emphasis

This program is appropriate for pre-professional students in pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, and pre-veterinary medicine. It provides students a foundation for introductory positions of employment in such fields as pharmaceuticals, manufacturing of biological products and monitoring of health and environmental standards. It can also serve as a foundation for graduate studies in special areas of microbiology.

Biology - Physiology Emphasis

This program is appropriate for pre-professional students in pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, and pre-veterinary medicine, pre-optometry and for those going into physical therapy. It provides students a foundation for introductory positions of employment in such fields as biomedical research, food and drug manufacturing, nutrition and sports physiology. It can also serve as a basis for graduate studies in developmental biology, physiological ecology and embryology.

Secondary Education Biology

Students desiring certification as a secondary school teacher in biology follow this curriculum. Students in this program must select an academic minor in another department. A minor in chemistry education is recommended.

Botany

This program provides an opportunity for a diversified background in botany applicable to a wide range of introductory positions in business and industry, universities, and government at the local, state, and federal levels. It also provides preparation for graduate work in botany or related sciences.

Environmental Science

The environmental science program is an interdisciplinary approach offered jointly by the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Geography and Political Science and Public Administration. See the Environmental Science Program section of this bulletin for more information.

Zoology

This program provides students a foundation for introductory positions of employment in museums, zoos, universities, and state and federal agencies involved in fish, wildlife and other natural resource use. It is an appropriate program for students in the pre-professional areas of medicine, dentistry and veterinary science. It also provides a solid background for students who wish to pursue graduate studies in special areas of zoology.

Department/Program Policies

A 2.0 grade point average is required for all biology courses taken for any departmental major. Exceptions must be requested via petition to the department’s Academic Programs Committee. Students majoring in secondary education biology or minoring in biology education must maintain a grade point average of 2.7 or greater with no grade below a "C" in the professional education sequence, the major and/or minor and required cognates combined.

Students enrolled in biology laboratory courses must pay replacement costs for damaged supplies (e.g., glassware and microscope slides) or equipment (e.g., microscopes) having value in excess of one dollar. Records of assessments for damage are maintained in the department and students are notified of any costs due not later than the last laboratory meeting.

Recommendation for Graduate Bound Students

Many graduate programs in the biological sciences, including the one at Northern Michigan University, require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for admission. Students intending to pursue graduate study in the biological sciences should take this examination early in their senior year.