Biology | NMU Bulletin

Contact Information

Address: 2001 New Science Facility

Phone: 906-227-2310

Fax: 906-227-1063

Web Address: https://www.nmu.edu/biology

Department Email: biology@nmu.edu

Biology at NMU

The Biology Department offers programs leading to the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science and master of science in biology. The department offers three separate majors: biology, fisheries and wildlife management and secondary education biology. Students with a biology major have the opportunity for further specialization by choosing from one of six concentrations: botany, ecology, general biology, microbiology, physiology and zoology. The department also contributes course work for interdisciplinary programs in biochemistry, environmental science, neuroscience, diagnostic genetics and science technologist. The department offers three minor programs of study: biology, secondary education biology and human biology. The offerings complement programs in nursing, health, liberal arts and sciences, physical education, clinical laboratory sciences, and environmental 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 life.

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 zoology major are built around a common core of courses. The remaining courses for the major are selected to satisfy the student’s interests and career plans. A strong background in the physical sciences is helpful to a biological career.

Student Organizations

Pre-Dental Club
Pre-Medical Club
Pre-Veterinary Club
Student Michigan Education Association
Tri Beta Society
Wildlife Society

Department Facilities

greenhouse
herbarium
Lake Superior research boat
Longyear Forest
molecular biology facilities
small-animal facility
zoological collections

Department/Program Policies

A 2.00 grade point average is required for all biology courses taken for any non-teaching major in the department. Exceptions must be requested via petition to the department’s academic programs committee.

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 no later than the last laboratory meeting.

Secondary Education Biology
Students with a major or minor in secondary biology education must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or greater overall, in the major, and/or minor(s) with no grade below a "B-" in the professional education sequence and no grade below a "C" in the major and/or minor(s).

Recommendation for Students Bound for Graduate School

Students who plan to apply to a professional school or pursue graduate work in biology are strongly advised to take Organic Chemistry I and II (CH 321, 322) and a year of physics.

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.